Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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^ WHAT IS Tllr: MATTEK? fw - Hi fV?V f'Uiii Mnlum nlH Concerning JOtr SmtiiM of The Chamber of C om i:d|tor Duilv Item: In * capital article u few days since 3ye4* ?4td that it v. u i sometimes whole nottie to tell the unvarnlshod truth, ewt though it might hurt local pride. Hau proceeded theo to tell how an undertaking wa? not a howling sue Jmm% un'1 1 foit us rsad your report t you had handled the matter ex ly right, and that you hud done the rtry much more good than you would hav??. I d you w itten whut is corn inly known as a boosting article, ling how line everything was?when asn't. lere goes for ono'hef piece of truth Chamber of Commerce is mighty t the point of dissolution. (The whole subscription list of the Chamber totals $2,023.00 for the year. Senv* of this Im subscribed with the understanding that it be taken out In ISid*; some of every subscription llsi la, uncollectable, so the real footing sAould be not more than $1.900 or $|,s00. The bare necessities of the ?Jiatnber, nalnries, rent, and postage J ceio?? to $200 a month. Anyone can make the rest of the calculation. There Is not an extravagant Item In the makeup of these expenditures; in f?et it is a marvel that the chamber, doing the work It does, can be conduct? ed on the ecouomlcul basis maintain? ed. - A few days since the president pub? lished a splendid open letter to the business men of Bumter making a forceful appeal in behalf of the cham? ber. This letter was mailed to score.? of non-subscribers. There has been two responses, a $10 membership from a Cujnter'man and a $25 contribution from a non resident who has for sev? eral years maintained his affiliation with, the Sumtnr Chamber of Com? merce^ For the rest of the appeals the ground was barren. Perhaps, Mr. Editor, the Chumber Is so poorly supported because It docs not deserve better support. Perhaps the plnn on which the Chamber is run Is altogether wrong, or perhaps those in charge are altogether incom? petent. If others can do better I urn sure the whole directorate will he wil? ling to let others take hold, and more? over will cheerfully cooperate. If tlu system of work Is wrong, the di? rectors will be obliged for all sug? gestions looking toward betterment. The meetings ure held each second and fourth Tuenday afternoon and are public; the membership and the cltl senry at large have frequently been urged to attend. Is there any need for the Chamber of Commerce? I'erbaps the reason for the poor support it gets is that there Is no real reason why it should ? vnt 1 do not know. We who arc giving our time to the Chamber and sec what pauses through our chan? nels think there Is a demand and a nerenntty for it; but perhaps we arc blinded by our seal. I know only that s vast deal of matter of every nature passes through the machinery of the Chamber, liefore the Atlanta meeting wan called to set on foot for the whole South the movement that Is known as the food growing movement; be? fore tbo South Carolina State commit? tee of civic preparedness bad been apitolntcd. the Mumter Chumber of Commerce bad alrendv gathered to getber the men of this county and Sumter county wan ulreudy organised ard at work. The officials, clerical force and equipment of the Chamber Is now being used to build tip tin chapter of the Ited Cross, an organ htfttkm that tb< while h Just learning. All of the work of toe Committee of Safety pusnen through the channels of the Chamber of Commerce. Tin* Chamber this w??ek has handled th?' clerical end of th ? wink of putting the local sale of Liberty bonds before tin public. If a Sunday school conventloa was to come to town, if a wood man sjfacturer in Ctka New York, wants to kbow what variety of gum grow In our swnuii*. if the little girlt ol the country canning ?dubs nre to be entertulned In the city, or If It is dc?m ed aftvlsuhle to try for a new radi o id the services of the Chamber of Com n?er<** arc sought, und they havr ne. et ytt been nought In vain. J?Ht what ar?? th<- a tilties and scr vlcen of the Chi* other of Commen t ' Anything and everything; Ihej arc too numerous and too varied to I enumerated. The Chamber is tlu esnlVe of public activity Tim Cham her Wan ap|?ealc<| to to help with tin PlnKInn' Mill picnic, the Cham I . was appealed to too lut. to try fo gn Sfmy cftntonment I was In tin Chamber one day when a stfal rams In. He wanted n certain var.et ??ff corn Ho did not know the ail elals of the Chamber, but he knee where his wsntn would be attend* d l?i and there he cume. The Chamber o course did not have the corn. It rib have the knowledge of where th stranger should try for it. and th Strarlger received that information Within the met two months the A* fete fceM two smokers thai were tine In their drawing men to? gether effect. The Chamber wants next month to have a Boys' Evening, when the hoys and the men will bo brought together, so that the boys ran feel that the men are their friends, and are sympathetic friends. To us of the directorate that seems worth wlule. Such undertakings cannot bo continued when we are monthly run? ning behind. I am not. Mr. F.ditor and Mr. Read? er who may have read this far, making a polu for the support of the Chamber of Commerce. I give a great deal of time to the Chamber, and if the Chamber is dissolved I can use this time for myself. I am aware that the Chum her is greatly used and is of great uso t?- the people of the community . of Sumter, town and county; yet if the people do not care to continue it, It is all right with me. I hold no brief for the Chamber, and ask favors for it of no one. Only, this is one more occasion on which 1 ?think the plain truP will be whole some. Herbert A. Moses. TO TRAIN NEGROES. Cnpt. Graham to Examine Applicant* ? Richard Carroll Assisting 111 Movement. Columbia, May .29.?With 62 South Carolina negroes to be trained in an officers' ramp at Des Moines, Iowa, examination of applicants will begin today. The applicants will be ex? amined by Capt. Malcolm Graham, U. S. A., at the Stale armory. The war department circular authorizing the admission of 52 negroes from this \ Stute nets out that applicants should have a* college education or its equi? valent and should be between the ages of 30 and 44 year3. Richard Carroll announced last night that at the request of the sec? retary of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, acting on a request from Gen. Leonard Wood, commanding the Southeastern department, he would attempt to see that available South Carolina negroes are presented for examination to the camp. Those possessing the qualifications stressed by the war department are asked to communicate with Carroll at Colum? bia. Already two applications have been made, N. J. Kredciick, princi? pal of the Howard school, and C. A Johnson, principal of the Booker Washington school. Carroll himself has seen military service serving as a chaplain in the Tenth regiment of volunteer Infantry, on appointment by President McKin? ley during the Spanish-American war and as chaplain of the South Caro? lina battalion of negro troops in lt03, being appointed by Gov. D. c. Hey? ward. Carroll said last night, how? ever, that he Is not seeking military honors for himsolf at this time, con? sidering himself beyond the age for cthcicnt military service. TO REGISTER CONVICTS. Men In Jails Also to be Listed. ; Sixty thousand copies of Gov. Man? ning's registration proclamation will be distributed this week throughout South Carolina. Gov. Manning yesterday is.uied gen? eral OTdtJfS] providing for the r?gister hig of all men of military age, 21 to 30 inclusive, In Jails or on chain gangs. The order follows: "1. I have sent notices to each county supervisor, each chief of police in each county seat and to the super? intendent, State penitentiary, that thev are to register the men In Jails or on chalngangs, as provided in sec lion G7 of the registration regula? tions. You are fltrof il to lend these men all possible assiniame, and to furnish them with cards, forms ami other blanks. On account of the short time before June I this cooperation is necessary. "2. Hereafter general orders ail dressed as above will be intended also for those mentioned in paragraph one, and copies will he enclosed for ?Iis trlbutlon by you. ";i. I am sending copies of my proclamation for thorough distribu? tion by >ou throughout your county. "I. A person registering should sign his name Sfl he ordinarily signs It. This, of course, does not apply |0 rules for am wcrmg first question ou registration card. "."? You are authorized to use a robbet stamp to designate precinct, county. State ami date of registration on reverse side of registration card." Death of a Child. Huron Rltmabeth, the 11-months old daughter oT Mr. and Mrs. Henry r.e u h. da d at i a. m. Wednesday after a brief illne s The funeral ser vices were held at 11 o'clock Thurs? day morning at the residence, IlOX H. Salem a\ enue. The boarding pupils of St. Joseph s Academy were delightfully entertain ed Tuesday evening at her homo on church street by Mrs. H. It. VanDev enter. 17GHTING 1>RAFT ACT. Petitions for Restraining Orders in Courts. Kansas City, May 29.?Every in? vestigation agency of the federal gov? ernment was assigned today to the task of learning if treasonable motives are responsible for petitions seeking to restrain operation of the army draft registration law which were lilcd in the State circuit court. Hearing on [the petitions has been set for Thurs? day at the request of Shewalter, at? torney for the petitioners, who de? clared his presence in the State capi? tal was necessary tomorrow so he might prosecute a mandamus suit against Gov. Gardner and the 8tate adjutant general who, his petition as? sorts, "have been acting in an op? pressive manner." As a result of anti-draft agitation in this district, a special United States grand jury has been called for June fi. The injunction petition is signed by Raymond I. Moore and Thomas It. Sullivan. i It la directed against Gov. Gardner, Mayor Edwards, the election commis? sioners- and tho county sheriff. The application sets forth that the registration law is unconstitutional, causing "involuntary servitude." Authorities at Work. Wheeling, W. Va., May 29.?Fed? eral and municipal authorities tonight started an Investigation here of circulars s gned by '-the Young Men'? Anti-Militarist league" adyk;lng youn,T men to refuse to register under the draft act. Tho circular read in part: "Young men, nre you going to register for military service in a for? eign country while the rich men who brought on thiu war stay at home and get richer by gambling in foodstuffs?" Another circular headed "Down with Conscription" and signed by* "Socialist Party in Ohio" was dis? tributed. Two Men In Custody. Philadelphia, May 29.?Agents of the department of justice and postal inspectoi. today began a search for a man believed to be active head of an anti-draft movement In this city. His name was furbished to the authorities; by two men who are held without bail here Charged with distributing anti-roglstra'tlon circulars. The men under arrest are Samuel Orchowun and Harry Hull. When taken into custody they hud in their possession a large amount of anti-war propa? ganda. ? It; .1 Big Riot In Toledo. Toledo, Ohio, May St.?Two thou - ' sand personal Including militanten, pacifists, pollefi and citizens, were par? ticipants in a riot here tonight as the outcome of the attempt of an anti OOnacrlptlonlSt to address a crowd In the Streets. - The outbreak occurred when a citizen's cry of "Hurrah for Wilson" was answered by "Kaiser Wilson" from one of the pacifists. Members of Troops D, M and B re? sented the remark and the riot result? ed. Several persons were more or less seriously hurt. Polloa were called i and several arrests made. CHANGES IN ARMY. Com panics to Number Two Hundred Men and Brigades Four Regiments. San Antonio, May 29.?According 1 to information made public by Brig, (^en. Parker, acting commander of tho Soulhern department, sweeping ? banges in army organization will he placed in effect immediately. Under previous pluns an aimy division has consisted of approximately 25,000 men. The new Order llxes a division at two brigades, a total Of approx? imately If,000 men. Each brigade will be made up of four regiments, this applying to infantry only. In? fant ly companies will hav 400 men instead of 160, There will be one captain, one first ami two second lieutenants, Formerly there were only two lieutenants. A battalion will consist of thre > Infantry com? panies and one machine gun com? pany. As there are three battalions in regiment, this will give three ma? chine gun companies to each regi? ment where heretofore there has geen out one. The machine gun companies will have one captain, tWO first lieu? tenants and I ie second lieutenant with 117 men and II machine guns Under the new plan an Infantry icgi incut will contain 3*631 nun and 87 officers, Booths are being built in the Reg? istration headquarters for Ward - precinct?the store on corner of W. Liberty and Sunder streets, formerly occupied by v. H, Phelpe?so as to facilitate and expedite the work of registration, on June 5th, There arc a la.ge number ot poisons to be reg? istered In this preclncl and the regis? trars wish to be In 0 position to handle t ho applicants systematically and with che least yossible delay. SOITUKHN TO BUY BONDS. Hallway Will Make Advances to Em? ployes. Official* of the Southern railway in Btimter were notified yesterday by Fairfax Harrison, president of the system, that advances to the amount of 25 per cent, of each officer's and employe's salary would be invested In Liberty bonds by the railroad, the money to be returned in 12 monthly installments. "It has never been necessary to appeal to the citizenship of the South to stimulate a feeling- of patriotism and loyally; each man, woman and child of the South hau that inherent attribute. I take it to be only neces? sary to call your attention to the urgent necessity of the success of the Liberty loan to awaken in you your duty to your country. To make the loan a success is essential to the final victory of the United States in its war for freedom, and we each owe a duty to our government in this respect, the response to which must be guided by our own conscience and inclina? tion. That you may be enabled t sub? scribe to this loan with the least hardship to yourself, the following plan is offered you: "The bonds are in denominations of $50, $100, $500 and $1,000 and bear interest at 3 1-2 per cent, from June 15, 1917, and are free of taxes; the Southern Hallway company will, for its system lines, upon your request, subscribe for nny amount of such bonds, not exceeding 25 per cent, of your yearly salary, to be paid for by you in 12 equal monthly Installment" to be deducted from your salary. "In case a subscriber terminates his servieej? with the company, the com? pany, unless fu^ly repaid, within two months thereafter for advances, in? cluding interest, made on subscription wili return to the subscriber the amounts theretofore, deducted from salary payment, with interest thereon at the rate of 3 1-2 per annum. UA committee of three, A. H. Plant, chairman; IL C. Ansley and L. K. Jeffries, Is hereby created f?r the Handling of these subscriptions, and herewith inclosed are subscription blanks, which when signed) as in? dicated by such blank, should be re? turned In the self addressed envelope to A. H. Plant, chairman, Washing? ton, D. c. All correspondence con? cerning this matter should likewise be addressed to Mr. Plant." Maj. Abe Levi, of Manning, spent the day in the city. HTATEBCRG school t IX)SiNci. Inlrirallng Rsct-ctscs at close of a Successful Year's Work. The closing or commencement exer? cises of Stateburg school, District No. I of Suinter county were held last Tuesday, May 29th, at the modern school building and were attended by a lurge and appreciative- audience composed not only of the patrons of the school, but from other sections of Sumter county. The boys and girls of this progres? sive institution of learning whi?h is presided over by Miss Hoggs Newton the efficient -and popular teacher, ac ouitted themselves with cred t not only to Miss Newton and the entire school, but with honor to the school district. The exercises were of an unusual and inspiring character calculated to indicate that the pupils are not only well trained In book learning, deport? ment, and general poise and self conlidence, but the subjects se eeted and the delivery of same were of an optimistic and Instructive, cheerful and patriotic kind in many respects. Miss Newton the teacher, the trus? tees, Messrs. J, Frank William?! and Richard Richardson, the school chil? dren and pat ions had a right to feel gratified with the good work of the scholastic year just ended. Dr. J. H. Haynsworth, county su? perintendent of education* in a short but appropriate address of congratula? tion, awarded the prizes as follows: Intermediate Department. Scholarship Prllf?William Brown. Primary Department. Scholarship. Prize?Elizabeth Rich? ardson. Prize for Neatest Desk?William Brown. Prize for "Perfect after.dance and never being tardy?William Brown, James Brown, John Frank Williams And Hope Williams. The program rendered so interest' ingly and efficiently was as follows: No. 1.? Dialogue--Hertha Pate, Hope Williams, ollie Pate. No. 2.?"One Mother"?Arthur Hair No. 3.?"Seven Times One"?Eliza? beth Blnkler Richardson, No. 4.?"Smiles"?rPlrst, Second, Third Grades. Xo. B.?"The Sc hool I Love the Heat"?John Frank Williams. No. I.?"The Man in the Moon"? Clarence Hair. No. 7. (a) "Inside the Garden Gate"; (b) "The Road to castaiy"? 'Margarits Hair. No. 8. "Johnny's History Lesson" ?James Brown. ?r ? ? - ?? - - No. 9.?"The Message to <iaroia"? William Brown. No. 10. "The United States of Ku rope"?Rohert Owen Hair. No. 11. Awarding of Prir.es. No. \'l Inspection of Pupils' ex? hibit. Trustee J. Frank Williams presided over the exercises and made a very interesting talk regarding the work of the school, the interest taken by the pupils and referred to Miss New? ton's loyalty not only to her school work but also in the community work us well. He then introduced E. I. Reardon, secretary of the Sumter Chamber of Commerce, who, after congratulating the ^pupils, teacher, patrons and trus? tees spoke of the importance of co? operation between communities of the county J^nd the part the Sumter Cham? ber of Commerce seeks to play in building tip a cooperative county and community Spirit, with the public schools of the city and rural districts :?s the basic foundation for the future peace, prosperity, and happiness of the county. Mesdames lt. C. Richardson, J. H. Haynsworth, and Thomaj; S. Sumter of this city were umong those who attended the exeicises. Mr. John 1. Brogdon is one of the farmers of Sumter county who has always lived up to the doctrine of food preparedness and his farm is j self-supporting, consequently he was I not in need of having the fact im j pressed upon him that he must "grow food or go hungry." Neverthe? less he is doing Ins lull share to make the campaign of the committee of public safety a success and he is doing i more by example than by precept. As a side line in the food preparedness programme on his farm he has a veg? etable garden that looks like a seed man's catalogue. A few samples that arrived at the Item office today were the sort of evidence that every farm should furnish that Sumter county people need never lack for vegetables of the finest quality. Turnips planted after the freeze in February weighing ? fraction more than three and a half pounds each, and beets, planted at the same time, weighing an even pound are hard to beat. Little Reil Cross Workers. Four little girls, Polly Bultman, Rosine Chase, Mildred McCollum and Margaret McCollum gave an enter? tainment yesterday for children for the benefit of the Red Cross, raising one dollar for the cause. Help Your Country And Make Money for Yourself Uncle* Sam must have the money QUICKLY to build thousands of food and munition -carrying ships, to raise, equip and maintain an army of 1,000,000 men; to give us a smashing big navy- in short, to enable our country to carry on its share Of the great war for the KRBBDOM OF TH10 WORLD. VOII can do YOUR part by lending the Government some of your savings. Invest now in one or more of the Liberty Loan IJonds. You will be helping yourself while you help your OOUtltrj . The bonds pay 8 12* interest and are as good as gold. There is an easy payment plan. For example, if you want to buy one of the ?rT>0 bonds, you can make your payments at your bank, as follows : 2i when you buy the bond . . $ 1.00 \H on June 28, 1917. 9.00 2H on July 30, 1917. 10.00 Mi on Aug. 15,1917. 15.00 30* on Aug. 30, IV17. 15.00 $50.00 The bonds will be dated June l.r>, 1 '.M7, ami will run for 30 years, when the Government will repay the principal. Twice a year the owner will receive interest at the rate of \\ 12* a 3 ear. Come in and let us help you to help yourself, your country and humanity The Associated Banks of Sumter COMMITTEE.