The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1948-05-13
LEADERSHIP in
COMMUNITY and
WORLD OUTLINED
jennings Randolph Explains to
Chamber of Commerce Members
How Community Could Improve

Chamber of Commerce Members
How Community Could Improve
Ways in which this community
could improve its attractiveness as a
recreational area, and how this ma
ton could assist in world leadership,
were two principal themes outlined
by former Congressman Jennings
Randolph, at the dinner meeting of
the Mt Top Chamber of Commerce.
Around a hundred persons attended.
Mr.. Randolph was of the opinion
that the Chamber of Commerce had
been doing a very fine job of promot-
ing Oakland and Garrett county dur
ing the past year, but added that
more could be done. He pointed out
that many other states consider
tourist trade as one of their three
most important industries, and that
Western Maryland, West Virginia
and Pennsylvania could do the same.
He illustrated how Washington, III
single year, by means of conven-
tions, etc, had taken in over go mil
lion dollars.
But he cautioned that no state,
however, could do this by merely put
ting a roadway through its scenic
areas. Attractive, accommodating and
reasonable places for sleeping and
eating must be provided before the
finest publicity of the scenic wonders
to be found here can do any good, he
stated.
He also pointed out as another out
standing example, how the Forest
Festival with all its detailed planning
and performance draws over one hun
bred thousand persons to Elkins.
Many of these people return for
week-ends and summer vacations,
tell their friends about the area and
bring them along.
1T takes great planning not by one
or two interested persons but by q
whole group drawn from different
phases of business life to bring this
about" he declared.
Wants Nation Prepared
Turning to national safety he
stated: 1.-The marvel of this great
country of ours is that no matter
what the creed, faith or beliefs Of its
people, basically they are all the
same-striving for peace, love and
understanding. In order to keep the
peace, we as a country must build up
our ain forces and ground forces to
prove to Russia that we are prepared
to use them either defensively or ag-
gressively." He felt strongly that
this was the way to prevent further
war.
He pointed out that in the proceed
ing wars we had both productivity
and manpower, which no doubt We
would have in case Of World War
III, but the winning factors of time
and distance would no longer be i'll
our favor.
He appeared distressed that the
country showed dissatisfaction i'll
many cases between employer and
employee, declaring it was against
our usual unity of purpose. He re-
marked he was defeated for re-elec-
ton by paid workers of John L
Lewis because he as a candidate had
often publicly declared that he felt
men as American citizens had every
right to belong to union as well as
having every right not to belong to 4
union, and as such they had every
right to work side by side without
interference.
He also lamented the fact that the
young boys who had lost their lives
in the past year had done nothing
whatever to cause the war, and
blamed the generation just preceding
them for it. He added that in the
event of third war we would have
only ourselves to blame for the loss
of the generation who would fight it
for us.
Mr. Randolph was introduced by
Charles L. Briner, who was master of
ceremonies. Wilbur Close presided.
Two vocal selections were given by
William Wood, of Cumberland The
meeting was held at the Mt. Lake
hotel.