South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-08-20
GEORGE b. BEITNER
Beitner Named Director General
of Fete to be Held Here in 1923
Preliminary Steps Taken for
Celebration Observing City's
Tooth Anniversary.

Preliminary steps in the arrange
ments for celebration commemor-
atirg the 1O0th anniversary of the
founding of south Bend to be held
sometime next year. We're made yes
terday when announcement was
made that George b Beitner. a
leading merchant Of the city had
accepted the position as director gem
eral of the celebration.
No definite date. for the centen-
NAL has been announced. nor has
Mir. Beitner made known what his
plans are. other than that he VIII
rare a board Of assistants in the
near future.
I'm Previous Celebrations
Mr.. Beltner has always been act
i've IN previous civic celebrations and
i'm 1915 was chairman OF the music
committee when the Tooth anniver-
sary OF Indiana's admittance to
statehood was observed.
He was born here and has spent
the greater part of his life in tho
city. In 1882 he entered the retail
shoe business here with his brothers
John d. and Robert L Beitner. He
maintained his office as senior mem
Der Of the firm of Beiner's Sons un-
til a few years aSo when he re-
tired from active business. Upon the
death of his younger brother. John,
however. he temporarily returned
Later. management went to his
youngest brother Robert, upon his
return from service in the World
War
Mr.. Beitner was chosen by a COM
mittee composed of Frank J. Green.
manager Of the Chamber Of Com
merce. Walter NJ. Hildebrand. chair
man of the Chamber Of Commerce
public affairs committee. Col G..
Seymour Bullock. city recreational
director, and Fred a. Miller, editor
Of the South Bend Tribune. The
committee met for the first time on
June Il when the names Of various
citizens were placed before them for
discussion. The selection Of Mr.
Beuner was decided upon July Il.
at which time an invitation was
drafted and sent 10 him knowledge
of this invitation became known u
official city circles and acceptance OF
IL by Mr.. Beitner was urged by
Mayor Ell Secbirt and prominent
business interests i'm the city
Associated With Functions
The excellent work done by MI.
Beitner IN previous celebrations led
10 his selection. Since 1899. when
the Indiana Music. Teachers asso-
citation OF which ne was treasurer.
presented a gigantic concert i'm the
Auditorium theater ne has been
closely associated With civic func.
lions.
Just what form OF celebration will
be held In 1928 has no. been decided
upon and II is not likely that any
announcements will be forthcoming
until steps have been taken to-form
a corporation under the laws of the
state
Plans Yet Indefinite.
Concerning his appointment Mr..
Beitner said yesterday: THE invita-
ton of the Chamber of Commerce
committee asking me 10 serve as di-
rector general OF South Bends cen
tennial celebration next year. came
10 me as a great surprise. At the
same time l deeply appreciate the
thought conveyed in the invitation
realizing the confidence reposed in
me.
1T is too early to definitely outline
any plans. While I have evolved
some ideas they are not I'm such
shape as to be presented at this time.
In accepting the position OF d.
rector general Of this big enterprise
I desire Il clearly understood that my
acceptance is based entirely upon
the hope that people VIII work with
me. I accepted the position only
after receiving assurance from Mayor
Seebirt. the Chamber Of Commerce
and numbers OF business men that
they would give their assistance to-
ward making the centennial observ-
ance all il should be"