Savannah morning news., 1885-10-22
/ NEEDS OF THE DRUG TRADE.
The National Association HOlds It's An
nusI Convention at Philadelphia.


nuaI Convention at Philadel phia.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 2l.-At to-day's
session OF the annual convention OF the
National Wholesale Drug Association. the
committee on membership reported that,
among other things, they found a general
desire among the trade that the assoeia-
tion shall take active efforts to secure the
removal nf the tax on spirirs as used in
pharmacy and the arts, and also to secure
the repeal OF toe special license imposed
upon retail and wholesale druggists for
the sale of spirits, which reduces their
business to a mar with that OF liquor
dealers. The report was accented.
j. G. Richardson, of St. Louis. offered a
resolution, which was adopted, increasing
the annual dues from $40 10 Si5, the extra
So to be devoted 10 the formation of
benevolent fund.
OVERCOMING Dull TIMES.
President Never delivered the annual ad-
dress, referring to the effect Of the general
stagnation in the business of the drug
trade, aud recommending that a special
committee be appointed, OF say three
members, to devise a plan by which a
suitable person shall be engaged to iuves-
tigate all articles placed on the market,
TO ascertain if they are OF tue proper quail
sumo the expenses resulting therefrOm.
The Nominating Committee presented
the following report, which was adopted
For reStdent-Mahlon n. Kline, OF
Ph hiladelphia.
For Vice PresidentS-A. H. Jones, of
Philadelphia; james G.. Richardson, OF
st. Louis; -. L. Bird, OF Boston, Charles
Fl. Petit, Of Louisville; F. a. Paxon, of
For TreaSnrer-s. M. Strong, OF Clev6-
land.
For Secretary-A. B. Merriam, Of Min
For Board of Control-James c. Rich
ardson, OF st. Louis; Daniel r. Noyes, Of
1t. Paul; Charles Osgood, OF Norwich,
Conn; J. W. Runker, Of Atlanta, Ca,
ard j. S. Perrard. of Detroit.
After the adoption of the report, Presi-
dent Kline took the chair and addressed
the convention.
COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS.
". II. Raser. of New York, Chairman
Of the Committee on Commercial Trav-
elers. presented report referring TO the
evils which have crept into the drug trade
through over production and competition,
and to the possibility Of the CONNER
cal traveller. TIE committee thought
that while commercial travelling could
not be abolished, the conditions hat lead
10 such disappointing and prOatless re-
suits could be- modified.
The committee on transportation re-
ported throu2h Chairman Il. H. Miller, of
St. Louis, a long report declaring that the
subject Of transportation and railroad
re2 ulatiOn has now become an important
pro biem before the people, involving as 1t
does so many diversified interests, among
which the drug trade is deeply interested.
LEGISLATION DEMANDED.
The report also declared that Congress
should interfere and protect the rights Of
all; that State legislation, yesting certain
questionable and, IN many cases, unde-
! fined powers in the hands of railroad COM
missiORs, has utterly failed to accomplish
its ends and protect the public; that the
National Wholesale Drug Association
would look with Iavor upon the passage
/ bV Congress of an Interstate commerce
bill establishing a national board of rail-
road commissioners to give effect to the
laws which are or may be placed in the
statute books. and that we favor the
enactment Of laws compelling transporta.
ifnn companies TO base their charges upon
the cost and risk of the service instead OF
the theory enuuciated by them. namely,
what The traffic will bear" The report
was accepted.
LETTER FROM CLEVELAND.
At the afternoon session letters from
President Cleveland, Secretary Manning
and Congressman Samuel j. Randall, ac-
knowledging the receipt of communica-
tions regarding the duty on alcohol, were
read. The President wrote that the mat
ter would receive bis early attention
Secretary Manning promised to lay the
matter before the proper Congressional
committee, and Mr.. Randall suggested
that visit Of the committee to Washing
ton be made. for the purpose of agitating
the question at the proper time.