Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 January 1918 — LARGE CROWD GREETS WAR CONFERENCE SPEAKERS [ARTICLE]

LARGE CROWD GREETS WAR CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

METHODIST CHURCH CROWDED WITH INTERESTED LISTENERS, ANXIOUS TO HEAR DISCUSSION OF GREAT WAR. ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE BAND, BY STIRRING MUSIC, CONTRIBUTES TO THE PATRIOTIC SENTIMENT OF THE OCCASION. MEETING IS PRESIDED OVER BY MAYOR CHARLES G. SPITLER. MANY. FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTY ARE PRESENT, INCLUDING A GREAT NUMBER OF SCHOOL TEACHERS AND PUPILS. JOHN RUTLEDGE, OF WASHINGTON, TO MAKE THE ADDRESS THIS EVENING. • The large number of people who have come to Rensselaer today from all over the county to attend the War Conference is indicative of the thorough patriotism of our citizens. On account of the roads being blockaded and the extreme cold weather, it was feared that there would not be many in attendance. The splendid crowd gathered •at the Methodist church this afternoon and the number attending the sectional meeting after the big general meeting was very gratifying to the members of the Defense Council as well as to the speakers who were here to make the addresses. The meeting at the Methodist

church this afternoon was presided over by Charles G. Spitler who made an excellent short welcome address. On the platform with Mr. Spitler were County Chairman Frank Welsh, O. K. Rainier and J. J. Montgomery of the defense section, Revs. Asa McDaniels, J. Budman Fleming and E. W. Strecker, besides the speakers, k The meeting was opened by invocation by Rev. McDaniels, which was followed by a number of patriotic selections by the St. Joseph College band. 5 After this the Mayor made his address, which was followed by an address by Prof. Meyers, of Purdue. Other speakers were to address the meeting after Prof. Meyers. The address tonight by John Rutledge, of Washington City, will be the climax of the meeting. In his address at Monticello, Monday night, Mr. Rutledge held his audience spellbound. There will also be other addresses. The music tonight will be furnished by the Rensselaer high school orchestra. PROGRAMME TONIGHT Methodist Church, 8:00 p. m. Mayor Charles G. Spitler, presiding. Invocation —Rev. J. Budman Fleming. Music —High School Orchestra. Address —Miss Cowan, of Purdue University. Address—John Rutledge, National Speaker from Wasliington. Song—“ America,” led by C. E. Prior. Other speakers will be present and make short addresses.