New Britain herald., 1925-10-13
.1,4lS MEMBERSHIP
 ON [. OF [. ROLL
Goal of i,500 Set at Banquet
 Marking Drive End

 a bigger and better Chamber of | Commerce through the attainment Of more suitable and permanent hous- ing facilities was taken last night at the closing banquet of the weeks membership drive conducted by that organization when George H.. Dyson reported to President Joseph An drews that the $50 prize recently captured by the Porte & Dyson l store in the window display com petitions had been deposited with a | local bank as the nucleus of Chamber of Commerce permanent | building fund. This was the surprise feature of l surprise meeting, the attainment | of the weeks quota as the result of | a desperate 1lth hour offensive | launched over the weekend by the | team captains being another source of unexpected pleasure to Secretary Ralph Gould and Chairman Donald Gaffney and others directing the membership campaign. Another big surprise was the presenting by the chamber through it's president, Joseph R. Andrews, of a travelling kit to Congressman Dan Reed of New York, spark plug of the New Britain campaign.
 The drive opened a week ago yes terday with the anticipated goal being the signing of 400 new mem- bers. Until last nights finale only 2S6 had been rounded up but in the weekend drive which has not spent itself even yet, 11s new mem- bers were enrolled, making the total gathered into the fold during the week, 404.
 New Goal of 1,sO0 Set
 When 1t was announced that these 4o4 new members had brought the total membership of the chamber up to 1,4ls, the team captains at the suggestion of Chairman Donald Gaffney rose en masse to their. feet and pledged themselves to continue their efforts until the New Britain Chamber boasted a roster of more than 1.500.
 The meeting opened with invoca- ton by Rev William A. Ross, pas tor of the First Baptist church. This was followed by the reading of the final reports of the captains, each report being the immediate occasion of sudden and prolonged bursts of cheers.
 Following this. a troop of New Britain boy scouts with their colors marched into the dining room. Their leader, a straightforward little chap, stepped in front and addressed the gathered workers, and especially Congressman Reed.
 He told of the ideals of the Boy Scout organization and how these ideals so closely coincide with those of the Chamber of Commerce. He spoke of the honors which every Boy Scout was so eager to attain and said that one of the greatest of these, was the name Eagle Scout" He further stated that there were three scouts present who had re- gently merited this title and asked as a special honor that the medals be presented by Congressman Dan Reed.
 The congressman responded 10 the wishes and after commenting the boys for their success and read ing them the entire code of conduct of famous athlete, now dead, pinned the eagle scout medals on the three scouts. The boys thus honorcf were Frederic Lockwood and William Baker of troop 1, Cen ter church. and William Talon of troop 3. Trinity Methodist church. Congressman Reed finished by com plimenting the fathers of three boys on their sons early success.
 When the boy scouts had left Mir Dyson arose and after telling Of his observations in other cities, and particularly in Sonx City, la, and of the need Of the Chamber of Com merce for a building of it's own, in formed President Andrews of his gift,
 The president responded promptly, thanking Mir. Dyson for the gener- osity which prompted the gift and for the new goal he had at the same time set for tho members of the orga nization.
 Make It t,500. Reed Urges
 Congressman Reed was next. He urged first that inc campaignerJ keep right on working. never stop ping until they had passed the 1,- 500 mark. He said that there were enough here and there yet unap- preached to gain this, and added that when next hc came to New Britain he expects to sec one Of the most hourishing organizations In tho entire country one which, through the urge created by MT. Dyson. will have q building of It's own. and fine one.
 The congressman said that he considered New Britain the finest city of its kind in the country, one of the finest of any size he had ever been in He said that he will go Ii"dN rom ncT" llHpitSstu pS HdF- ing met a people 10 whom there arc no superora anywhere. He added, too, that as q manufacturing center New Britain need never take i's hat off to any istcr-community in tho country.
 And what power In the com munlty the newspaper is." went on tho congressman. '1 have seen scv- nraN cltics r.hcrl thnrn Is rn nrn than