The Herald And News

AN EVENING IN NEWBERRY

W. W. Harris in Clinton Chronicle.

It was the writer's pleasure, along with W. D. Copeland and C. W. Stone, to attend the banquet-meeting of the merchants' bureau of the Newberry chamber of commerce on Monday evening. The event had been carefully planned by Hal Kohn, J. P. Moon, E. A. Carpenter and H. M. Bryan, and the "City of Friendly Folks" gave a most cordial welcome to the number of invited guests present.

The merchant members of the chamber of commerce have organized themselves into a bureau with the object in view of promoting good fellowship, practicing high standards and business ethics, and putting their "heads together" for an intelligent consideration of the various problems that now confront all merchants. Such an organization with business conditions as they are today, will prove helpful in numerous ways and will contribute to the success and preservation of our mercantile interests.

The Chronicle has on several occasions pointed out the need of such a united effort right here in Clinton, but we have never heard of a merchant in our town who gave the idea a serious thought or of any effort that has been made in that direction. Our merchants are standing in their own light, and making it all the harder to conduct their businesses by their lack of interest and action towards protecting their own selves.

The Newberry meeting was one of the best we have ever attended. Everybody was in a happy phase of mind, the visitors were most cordially received, and a spirit of enthusiasm and determination to do great things for their community was quite apparent.

Newberry is facing the future and its problems with optimism and a determination to win, and that is exactly what the town is going to do. For several years past it has been rapidly forging ahead—not for a minute has it been satisfied to rest on its oars. Today, there are few better business towns in the Piedmont section than Newberry. The merchants are wide-awake and are now putting on an expansion program to increase their trade territory and are going to capitalize on the enormous power development now under way just a few miles from their community.

One of their leading merchants said to us that recent advertising in our papers resulted in good business for their firm from Clinton all over the lower section of Laurens county. They are pushing and working for increased business and they are getting it.

The evening's program was one of interest. Unusual interest was centered in the presence of Mr. T. C. Williams of Columbia, president of the Lexington Power Company, who is largely responsible for the gigantic development now under way at Dreher Shoals. While this big development lies near Columbia, a large part of the enormous dam is in Newberry county and this fact, coupled with the hearty cooperative spirit being manifested by their chamber of commerce, is destined to result in important economic consequences and development of our sister city.

The eyes of the world are now focused on the South, particularly the Southeast, and the average South Carolinian cannot conceive of the magnitude of the project and the industrial expansion it will bring this section. Mr. Williams in his address stated that work will begin in less than 30 days on the project.

The main address of the evening was made by C. O. Kuester, secretary of the Charlotte chamber of commerce, who made a soul-stirring talk on the forces that build a city. He pointed out the need of a united effort and urged the representative gathering of merchants to back up their chamber of commerce with determination and faith, to have a vision, ambition, enthusiasm and determination.

"You can't build a town without newspapers," he said, "and in order for them to carry on you must give them advertising, lay aside selfishness and reap the benefits that are in store for your people in this section." Mr. Kuester is one of the outstanding commercial secretaries in the South and has a message that inspires all who hear him. Our own Commercial club would do well if it could bring him here to address our business men.

As already stated, the meeting was one of optimism. Newberry people believe in Newberry, and that's the spirit that builds a city. The town has many outstanding assets. Standing in the forefront are its three splendid banks with deposits exceeding four million dollars, reflecting as they do, the stability and soundness of the community.

Another striking thing about Newberry is its group of unselfish leaders. Its men of wealth give of their time and money to every undertaking for the good of their community. These leaders have the people's confidence and the result is a united effort. They are not bothered with city partisan politics and controversies but pull and work together.

When their municipal elections are near, they do not "tear their shirts off" but unite on a leader and back him whole-heartedly. Who can estimate the value of such men to that community as Matthews, Wright, Spearman, Cromer, Johnson, Davis, Moon, Derrick and scores of others, besides their chamber of commerce, Kiwanis and Rotary club memberships.

Here is a city with a splendid college, public school system, successful cotton mills, hospital, civic organization, good farmers practicing diversification, and scores of other assets—and above all—a united, unselfish people working together as one for the building of a greater city and county.

Clinton and many other towns as well, may learn much from our sister city. This enterprising town is going forward and unless we are badly fooled, will not halt. Newberry is all right; it has never been any other way. One no longer needs to go through that city to find Prosperity. We congratulate our neighbor friends. Newberry's future is bright. Its citizens are united and at work. And after all is said public-spirited, energetic business men are the forces that build a city.