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from REA and be our manager the problem could be quickly solved". Shattuck was reared in Yazoo City, Mississippi and had graduated from Mississippi State as an Electrical Engineer. His many years experience with REA in both Operations and Management Divisions, i before and after his U. S. Naval Service during World War II, peculiarly fitted him to head up active management of your Association. All of the Directors and your correspondent heartily concurred in Dr. Fountain's thoughts and Shattuck was asked tp take the job even at some sacrifice. Shattuck accepted and moved his family to Bay St. Louis in July 1948. It has since proven to be a fine decision by all concerned.
The Annual Meeting of Members October 16, 1948 was a big day in the annals of Coast Electric history. More than 1,500 people crowded the meeting place. It was the first time appliance dealers cooperated in an electric appliance show and all exhibits were tastefully arranged. All booth space was sold out and "standing room only" was the order of the day.
From the middle of July 1948 to the end of 1949, Manager Shattuck and the directors devoted practically full time ‘to the job of running lines to the hundreds of applicants who were still clamoring for electricity. Material shortages persisted but these obstacles were gradually overcome and one by one the stack of applications dwindled and new members were connected.
During this period it became evident that something would have to be done about office facilities. As your Association continued to grow, the original office space became crowded. Accounting, bookkeeping, monthly billing and other office procedure demanded more space. It was necessary to rent additional space for material supplies, service crews and other phases of the business. There was no building available and large enough to accomodate the entire staff and equipment.
A careful survey of the area served still disclosed that your Association should continue its general office location at or near Bay St. Louis. With this idea in mind your directors decided to ask REA for a loan to construct a modern office building and service headquarters. A number of sites were examined
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