Putnam patriot., 1925-10-23
Ms. Psdsett Pre.ides

Ms. fsdsett frcsides
 George L. Padgett, member of tine entertainment committee, presided at the meeting. There was music by a four piece orchestra before the meet ing opened, during the evening, and after the meeting closed.
 MT. Padgett alluded briefly to the purpose of the Chamber of Commerce as furthering the interests of Putnam and introduced as the first speaker, sr entertainer. of the evening, James Higgins of Boston, an executive of the lde Collar Company.
 Mir. Higgins admitted that he had prepared no speech for the occasion and. after suggesting several titles for what he was to say. said that perhaps it might aptly be called The Value of a Smile" "A smile," he said. lis priceless tonic. lt costs nothing and the benefits are im- measurable" He then delighted the audience with the recitation of sI varied number of selections from what he termed newspaper poets. There were both humor and human interest numbers in his repertoire, several being rendered in dialect. Both carried an appeal and when Mir. Higgins finished the audience was in the best of good humor.
 impressions of Putnam
 Rev. James r English. recently in- stalled pastor of the Putnam Congre- gational church. followed Mr Hie gins. and stated that he had been ask ed to give his first impressions of Putnam.
 He said that his first impressions were eminently pleasant ones. He said he found Putnam nestling in the most beautiful valley of all New Eng land. the natural beauty of the surI rounding country being uneXeelled but perhaps unappreciated by those to whom it was a daily sight. He spoke of the good impression gained from the city's buildings, the fine rail- road station, the hotel. the fneI churches and schools. He had beenI told that when he came here he might find the people somewhat discouraged from the vicissitudes through which the city had passed. 'I have never heard anyone crying about it; have never heard a person complain, said Mir English.
 Mr. English alluded to the towns being a center" and therefore its influence extends abroad and includes a wide country in which there are resident many fine people.
 Mir English said that Putnam is a place of real opportunity In it's val- ley have developed great manufaetur- ing plants. All over the country has been felt post wAc affects but there is great future in store, especially in this state. "I haze found a fine type of business man and a fine type of professional man. All are working together, not against each other. The Chamber of Commerce is indicative of this cooperative spirit. The peo- ple are not only interested in getting dollars and more dollars but are in- terested in other things, higher things, better things. As long as they are not satisfied to make money but strive for a broader life, for higher things, they will make good impression, concluded the speaker.
 A Rare Entertainer
 Charles Gilman, district insur anee manager of Boston, cousin of Alexander Gilman of Putnam, took up the line of humor where his colleague, Mir. Higgins, had left of and until he concluded his final story the audi ence was convulsed with laughter. MT. Gilman's Irish dialect stories were put over in an inimitable way, His per sonality efferveseed with good humor and good cheer and 1t was interspers- ed with a quick word and ready ton- gue. He had pleasing style or de- livery and SO vivid were his stories that one could not help but having mind picture of the characters he DOT trayed, high compliment, even for professional, which Mir. Gilman IS nos.
 He alluded casually to the number present stating that in Boston, where the Chamber numbers 1000, it was unusual for more than ten per cent to attend the meetings. He said that many members thought that they were doing their whole duty by simply pay ing their dues.
 President deCoudres briefly clos ed the meeting, alluding to the fact that at the last meeting he had spok- en of a i50 mile trip taken by four of the directors of the Chamber which. he said, had eliminated in plans for the dedication of the Me morial bridge. the biggest celebration that Putnam has ever seen. He said also that the entertainment commit tee would arrange further meetings during the winter, the number of such gatherings depending upon the at- tendance of the members.
 The meeting closed and a buffet luncheon was served. Many remain ed for an hour or more, as the presi- dent expressed 1t, "To talk things over %