The watchman and southron. (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, March 29, 1919, Image 5
Chamber of Commerce
Big County Mass Meeting For
Monday Evening To Plan
Welcome to Returning
Herots
Ladies and Gentlemen Urged to
Attend.
The citizens of Sumter and Sum
ter County seem not to have sensed
the opportunity presented to them in
the County Court room last Monday
evening at the meeting called by the
Sumter County Chamber of Com
merce to plan to entertain and to wel
come the returned and returning he
roes from the County of Sumter who
helped to "bust the Hindenburg line,"
and to make the world safe for de
mocracy, civilization, and decency.
"While the citizens of the county
seat, Sumter, turned out about seven
ty-five, strong, as we love to say, nev
erless this number was a very poor
indication of our appreciation of
heroic work judged by numbers at
least, although individuals present
were representative men and women,
and the not more than four or five
from the country districts, equally as
patriotic and representative, all put
together did not represent one tenth
of one per cent of Sumter County's
white citizenship who should have
been present. Judged by the attend
ance at this meeting, if attendance is a
criterion of the interest, then more
- than ninety-nine per cent of Sumter
County's white citizenship do not care
a rap whether our boys come home or
stay in the encampments of Europe
or in the cantonments of America.
Neither are they interested in the he
roes who have come home.
What is or rather, what was the
matter with Sumter and Sumter Coun
ty any how, that is judged by the poor
attendance at last Monday nights
meeting? By reference to another
column of this issue of this paper it
will be seen that President E. S. Booth
? of the Sumter County Chamber of
Commerce, by orders received from
the patriotic and grateful,, compara
tively few men and women attending
the meetng last Monday evening, has
appointed a very strong committee of
arrangements of ladies and gentle
men representing city and rural dis
tricts to formulate suitable arrange-!
ments for a proper welcoming of
our gallant boys who served in every
branch of the service, at home or
abroad, including those who have al
ready arrived in their homes. And in
order to retrieve if possible the spirit
of loyalty, love, gratitude, and coun
ty pride which, judging again from
the poor attendance at the first meet- j
ing. was for the moment lacking last I
Monday evening, President Booth has !
called, by onder of the first meeting,
another meeting for next Monday '
evening, March 31st at the Court -
room at 8.15 o'clock 'new time" to 1
give every one the full opportunity to 1
show his and her, and Sumter Coun- 1
ty*s gratitude, patriotism, and county 1
pride by being there ready for busi
ness.
This is a Sumter County affair in
every sense of the meaning. The /
ladies and gentlemen of the rural dis
tricts can well afford to ride in at a
reasonably early hour of the evening
under "set the clock up" time begin
ning next Sunday morning, in order to
co-operate with their fellow citizens ,
in honoring the city, town, and rural 1
boys -rho deserve more honor and j
thanks at Sumter county's hands .
than we will ever be able to bestow ?
upon them.
The ministers of every white church
in this county have been written to by J.
the secretary of the Chamber of Com- ,
merce requesting them to devote a few
minutes of their Sunday service time ,
on next Sunday to announcing next
Mondav evenings meeting, and urging
their congregations .to attend this im
portant meeting. Even now it look:
as though "our boys" will get home, or
most of them any how before we can
get ready to'give them the glad hand
in proper style.
So let us all appoint ourselves a
committee of one to see that the
"other fellow" attends next Monday
evenings meeting. Sumter County
ought to be out "in full force", the
ladies and gentiemen. and then the
entire county should "be on the jump"
until "the boys come home" and un
til Sumter County has appropriately,
as an entire county, honored the great j
heroes of the greatest war in history, j
War Material Sold
Many Other Countries, Including
Czecho-Slovakia, Get Supplies
From Americans
Washington, March 2$.?Sales to
foreign governments of more than
5200.000,090 worth of surplus war
supplies were announced today by the
war department. Most of the mater
ial went to France, whose purchases!
included smokeless powder, acids, i
copper, cannon and steel plates, for
which $155,000,000 was paid.
Italy bought $41.000,000 worth of
machine guns and ammunition, acids
and other supplies. The Netherlands'
bought $685.000 worth of nit.ate of
soda. About $1.000,000 worth of air
planes and supplies. $4l>6,000 worth
of soldiers' personal equipment. $294,-j
000 worth of machine guns and $171.-!
000 worth of hand grenades went to
Czecho-Siovakia.
Supplies were sold to other coun-i
tries in the following amounts: Great j
Britain, $2,o00,000: Cuba. $1OS,O0O; |
Liberia. $14,500; Switzerland, $9.500. i
War on Poland
Russian Bolsheviki Will Open a
Great I^iiitary Campaign
in Spring.
Paris. March 2 7.?A great mili
tary campaign against Poland will be
opened by the Russian soviet govern
ment in the spring, Jeffc. the former
Bolshevik ambassador to Berlin, de
clared at a recent meeting in Vilna,
a.^or<???- ty w^rd revived -here.
Annual Auto Meeting
Sumter Association Tiannches
Good Roads Movement for
Sumter Township
? annual meeting of the Sumter
A .^mobile Association which was
held Tuesday evening: was essentially
a good roads meeting, as it was em
phasized on all hands that the ulti
mate accomplishment of good roads
for South Carolina was the great aim
of the association, and the reason of
its existence. At the meeting was
launched a movement that has been
in the minds of many for a long time,
and that is making an effort to have
Sumter township issue bonds for the
building of asphalt, cement, or some
other kind of hard surfaced roads.
The meeting endorsed this idea and
appointed Mr. R. B. Belser to take
charge of the movement. Mr. Belser
was instructed to choose his own com
mittee.
The meeting was presided over by
J. H. Myers, vice president of the
association, who later in the meeting
having to leave called Dr. Geo. Dick
I to the chair, who handled the latter
part of the evening. After the usual
minutes and reports were read Hon.
R. B. Belser told the members of the
course of the legislation attempted at
the last session, of the various lights
made upon the bills that were offer
ed, and gave as his opinion that
many members after getting back
home and having heard from the
people had changed their opposition
and were now for the bill. He had
with him and displayed a map of the
proposed routes as planned by the
State Highway Commission.
Dr. E. S. Booth and Messrs. R. B.
Belser and H. A. Moses were appoint
ed a committee to appear before the
county commissioners and discuss
with them the possibility of inaugu
rating in this county a system of sec
tion working and maintenance of
roads. Messrs. W. P. Smith. S. K
Rowland and T. D. Forbes were ap
pointed a committee to look after
traffic legislation in the city. It wasi
suggested that they again take up
with Council the light-dimming ques
tion, and other particulars brought
up.
The meeting suggested to the direc
tors that they arrange an out-of
doors gathering of the members for
some time not later than April 15th.
The election of officers resulted:
President?R. B. Belser.
Vice Presidents?J. H. Myers and
E. S. Booth.
Secretary and Treasurer?H. A.
Moses.
Directors?E. 3. Booth. J. C.
Cooper. T. D. Forbes. S. A. Harvin,
L. D Jennings. S. L. Krasnoff, S. K.
Rowland. A Ryttenberg and W. P.
Smith.
Talks were made by State Secre
tary Hawkins and State "Treasurer
Mills who were present. These gen
tlemen also made good roads their j
theme and voiced the opinion that i
[here must be no let-un in the work '
jntil the roads were here.
Orders Issued
Sen. Moore Makes Announce
ments as to Annual
Inspection.
Columbia, March 20.?As the an
nual inspection of the companies of
the State militia approaches, the fol- j
lowing order has been issued to com-1
pany commanders by Brig. Gen. W. j
\Y. Moore, the Adjutant General: j
"The annual inspection of your or
ganization is near at hand, and I
write this in order that you may be
advised of what is necessary in order
for your company to share in the
State's annuai appropriation.
"It is absolutely necessary for .your
company to send in the quarterly drill
reports, blanks for which are furnish
ed you by this office, properly filled
our, showing the names of all mem
bers and their attendance at drills:
also the recapitulation on the back
of the report. These reports to be
promptly mailed at the expiration of
each quarter, July 1, October 1. April
1 and January 1, The property in
your custody should be carefully gone j
over and irado ready for inspection.
The period of reconstruction after the
war is now at hand, and this time of
all others, should show your organ
ization to be in a healthy condition, j
ready to cope with an> emergency;
and until a reorganization of the Nat
ional Guard is effected, the patriotism!
and loyalty of the personnel of your
organization should now be exhibit
ed.
?'With regard to the quarterly drill
reports, which are so necessary for
the fdes in this office. T might say
that we have been much hampered
in furnishing records due soldiers,
who are now and have been connect
ed with the United Stau-s army in the
world war. on account of the failure
of some of their company com
manders to mail, properly prepared
reports to this office. In the future
a company will not share in the
State's appropriation which does notj
furnish its quarterly drill reports.!
You are advised that a 60 per cent]
attendance at drills will have to bei
had and shown in your drill reports!
in order to share in the State's appro-!
priation.
"I call the above matters to your
attention in order that you may be
advised of what is necessary in the
way of drills and reports for the
present year, and hop- that no organ
ization will be denied the privilege of
sharing in the appropriation made
and provided by the State.
"I would request thai this commu
nication be read to your organization
at its first meeting and this office
advised."
Riot in Virginia
Killing of Elind Tiger Followed
by Mob Violence.
Winchester, Va.. March 27.?Win
chester spent a quiel day today after
a night that threatened mob violence
on account of the killing of on" al
leged bootlegger and the wounding of
another by Sr ;?? prohibition agents.
?Welcome for Thirtieth
Mayor Proclaims a Half Holiday
in Honor of the Home Com
ing Soldiers.
When it became known positively
that several detachments of the
Thirtieth Division would pass through
the city this afternoon en route from
Charleston to Camp Jackson, Messrs.
P. G. Bowman, E. I. Reardon and E.
J. Brennan called on Mayor Jennings
with the suggestion that a half holi
day be proclaimed so that the people
of Sumter might assemble at the A.
C. L. station to greet and welcome
back home the soldiers of the gallant
Thirtieth Division that won imper
ishable renown in France by break
ing the Hindenburg line. Mayor Jen
nings immediately accepted the sug
gestion and directed that business be
suspended at 2 o'clock and asked the
committee to call on all merchants
and other business houses with
the request that they close their
stores and offices. This was done and
all stores and offices agreed to close.
The city hall bell was rung to notify
the public that something big was in
the wind and to bring al the people
out to welcome the soldiers. Long
before the trains were due to arrive
at the station there was a great
crowd waiting to greet the soldiers
and when the troop trains pull in
they will be given a real welcome \
home.
The Y. M. C. A.
Campaign
The Amount Raised for Support
of Association was S6.490.31
The local Y. M. C A. has just |
closed a most successful campaign?j
the most successful in its history. The j
committees have raised the sum of
$6390.31. which shows not only the
very effective work that was done: |
but also the high esteem in which j
the association is held.
Mr. W. A. Bryan was selected by
the beard of directors as the generali
chairman of the campaign. The re
sults justify in every way the wisdom
of the selection. Mr. Bryan appoint
ed as his two captains Mr. David Cut
tino and Mr. L. C. Bryan and as cap
tain of the High School team. Henry
Edmunds.
The committee from the Board
that worked in the interest of the
sustaining memberships was com
posed of Messrs. C. E. Hurst. H. L.
Scarborough, IT. C. HaynswoiSh, W.
B. Upshur. R. D. Epps. J. A. Me
Knight. Mr. L. D. Jennings render
ed invaluable assistance at the mass
meeting that was held in the interest
of the association.
The following is the list of those
that subscribed the largest amounts: j
L. D. Jennings..$200
J. P. Booth. 200
R. B. Holser.200
John H. Clifton.200
J. Singleton Moore.200
D. Jas. YVTnn.130
Dr. IT. M. Stuekey.lfu>
J. C. Cooper.100
J. K. Crosswell.100
E. L. Witherspoon.100
W. Percy Smith. 7">
I-T. L. Scarborough. CO
There was a large number who j
subscribed $50 each.
The success of the campaign was;
largely enhanced by the delicious j
suppers that the young ladies served
in the interest of the werk. Every
one connected with the association
appreciates very highly this atten
tion on the art of the ladies.
Old Glory at Omsk,
American Flag Prominently Dis-1
played In Siberian Capital
of Russian Government
- ii
Omsk, Siberia, Feb. 2 (Corespond
ence of The Associated Press)?An
American liag floating above the side
walk and a picture of President Wil
son in ;i window beside the flag u
one of the first sights the American
sees ;is. after a long, tedious and even
dangerous trip from Vladivostok, lie
is driven at lightning speed in a tiny
sleigh or sled down the principal
street of Omsk.
Th.e correspondent found that the
'la>r hung over the door of the Amer
ican Committee on Public Informa
tion. The Omsk branch of this or
ganization was founded and is con
ducted by Robert E. Winters, of
Washington. D. C. Like the corre
spondent of The Associated Press no
labors by candlelight. When a vis
itor comes, the existing courtesy is to
light a second candle. Cigaretl.es
and cigars are lighted by candles and
not by matches for matches are very
expensive and are becoming scarce.
Life in Omsk teaches respect for the
little om for is of life one has pre
viously disdained.
On an average 500 Russians come
every day to the office of the Com
mittee on Public Information. They
come for the pamphlets and other
literature, printed in Russian, which
the committee distributes for the
purpose of enlightening the people, i
of Russia as to the aims and objects!
of the American people in the war
and the general attitude of the Unit-j
??(I States on great world problems.
Letters requesting copies of pam
phlets are received from all parts of
Siberia. Some of them enclose a
bank note which is promptly return
ed. Literature is distributed to
thousands of people and to newspa-j
Ipers and institutions of learning and j
various organizations.
The Siberian Creamery Associa
tion which has its headquarters at
Barnoul, near the city of Tomsk, re-1
cently asked for 5.000 copies of the:
committee's weekly bulletin for dis
tribuiion amontr its members.
In this way the ideals of America
.ire being spread broadcast among the
people of Russia.
London. Wednesday, March 26.?
Italian troops have occupied Press
burg, 35 miles southeast of- Vienna,
on (lie Hungarian side of the bor
der, according to a Budapest dis
?PAtCh,.? ._.v.,,-.- a ?:?..,
The Greatest SACRIFICE Sale
Ever Offered in Sumter
IN EXCELLENT CONDITION" J 3 ChTS
We have had our repair department overhaul
each and every one of these Cars, and we believe
that if you are looking for a bargain i n a second
hand Car we can please you.
One Chalmers, five passenger touring car, fully
equipped, value.4. $1100
Special sale price.; $950
One Chalmers, seven passenger touring car, ful
ly equipped with new tires, value?. $1500
Special sale price.~.$1400
One Dodge Bros., roadster - fully equipped,
value .,.-.I. $850
Special sale price.i.+.; $775
One Dodge Bros., touring car fully equipped . .<
with new tires, top, and seat covers, value $850
Special sale price.,. $750
One Chalmers five passenger touring car fully
equipped, value.,..,...$1450
Special sale price.$1375
One Ford touring car, 1917 model, value.$500
Special sale price.$475
One Ford touring car, 1917 model, value.$450
Special sale price. $390
One Chalmers roadster, fully equipped (a real
bargain, value.$1375
Special sale price.$1225
One Dodge touring car, value.$600
Special sale price. $550
One Maxwell, one ton truck, value...$800
Special sale price. $600
One "490" Chevrolet Passenger touring car,
value.$600
Special sale price. $555
One Ford touring car, value.$250
Special sale price.;.. $200
One Dodge Bros, touring car, value.$800
Special sale pice. $700
We have one new one ton Maxwell truck- de
livered price $1185 but on account of discontinu
ing the agency on this line, we are offering
same at special sale price .$1100
New Chalmers, Dodges and Elcars in Stock.
SOUTH MAIN STREET
SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA