Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-20
A LIVELY MEETING.
The Annual Assembly OF the Members of
the Rochdaie Cooperative Society.

The Annual Assembly OF the Members of
the Rochdale Cooperative Society.
Neither the rain, snow, sleet nor wind pre-
vented a large number Of the members of the
Rochdaie Cooperative Society from attending
the regular annual meeting last night at Grand
Army Hall. A goodly number had forgotten
their tickets, but they had no trouble in get
ting in, In fact ii was understood that the doors
were to be open to all reputable people, though
none but members would be allowed TO vote.
1t was the largest meeting ever held.
The hall had been engaged by Mr.. J. w. Har-
sha before he and his friends went off into new
society and an attempt was made yesterday to
prevent the meeting by cancelling the engage
ment, but the regulars were not TO be thus
checkmated and got the hall opened and were
ready for business at the appointed hour.
A. 7. Longley, the president. and J. W, Har-
sha, the secretary and treasurer, being absent,
the vice president Thos P. Keene, called the
meeting to order. Other necessary officers
were duly appointed and business began ac-
cording to the regularly printed order
The minutes Of the October quarterly meet
ing were read, when amendments began to
pour over the front Of the stage like q water
TAIL The minutes were signed by J. W. Har-
sha, but it was claimed BY those present last
night who attended the October meeting that
the report had been "doctored" and should
therefore. be amended SO as to incorporate
some important features love. looked and
duced and passed at the October meeting.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES.
When the report Of committees was called
Chairman F. J. Willis of the investigating COM
mittee read the report of its work, and then
the atmosphere got breezy Numerous men,
bers had something to say about the action of
Secretary and Treasurer Harsha in refusing
access to the books and declining to account
for the several thousand dollars not to the
credit OF the association, but to his own in
stead, belonging to the society.
The report stated that Mr. Harsha had re-
fused to allow the books to be investigated,
that the charges that he had received his coal
free and that he had been paid extra by Mr.
Page for certain privileges and that he had re-
celyed discounts on ice tickets In addition to
that allowed to members and that the money
OF the society had been placed, except about
$3.50, to his individual credit in bank had been
fully established, and it was recommended that
steps be taken to secure the books. seal,
money, DC, belonging to the society. After a
good deal Of talking the report was unani-
mously adopted.
The auditing committee being called upon
for a report much laughter was occasioned
when the reply came that it had nothing to say.
Inc joke was apparent when the fact was
recognized that the funds we're beyond reach
OF tho members present
AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION.
The amendments to the constitution pro-
posed at the October meeting were discussed
and passed without alteration, though several
attempts were made to change the phraseology
80 that there would be mo loop holes" As
amended the secretary must furnish q bond for
Sl,0O0 and the treasurer one for 5000. Tho
secretary is to receive all moneys and turn
them over to the treasurer. The accounts of
each are to be approved by the auditing COM
mittee quarterly. The compensation of the
secretary is to be $3.50 per annum, and that of
the treasurer $500. radical change was made
In putting the custody of the seal in the hands
OF the secretary Of the executive committee
which committee makes all contracts.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
When the nomination for officers came up
several tried to get the floor at once, but Mr.
Dan Grosvenor got q cinch on it and held it
till he had nominated Mr.. Thos. P. Keene. A
member moved that the secretary of the meet
unanimously for Mr.. Keene, which was carried
amid applause.
Mr.. l. G. Williamson was elected vice presi-
dent, MIR. l. s. Emery secretary and r. S.
Lacey treasurer.
Mr.; F. ]. Willis was among those nominated
Tor the executive committee, but declined,
saying that there should be no grounds for
suspicion that any of the investigating
committee was after handling the surplus, as
the Harsha faction had asserted.
Ihe Following gentlemen were elected upon
the executive committee: S. H. Bell. Wv.
Chase, ]. P. Church, Chas. E. Persons. A. F.
Sperry, g. W. Warmeiie and Z. J. Eenick
During the counting of ballots number of
resolutions were introduced. For a while they
seemed to fall like the leaves from a tree but
they mostly got sat upon. One was passed
unanimously admitting to membership, upon
payment Of annual dues within three months,
persons holding trade cards of a similar organ
lzatlon-the Sovereigns of lndustry-many of
which order had entered the society, the usual
fee OF admission being RENTED.
WHERE A FIGHT WILL BE.
Another resolution was offered BY Mr.. n. II.
Thompson and adopted after discussion. and
an amendment provided for taking steps to-
ward securing the books and other property
OF the society and investigating the course of
the society in its early history concerning pa
pers of incorporation.
Whether incorporated or not fight will be
made upon decision Of the Supreme Court,
which holds that any body or order which has
mad the use OF name by adoption for a time
sufficient to become known as such acquires a
right which ls entitled to protection from in
fringement, and that any member or num-
Der OF members can individually appeal to the
courts for themselves and others and obtain an
order restraining any other individual or indi-
Vlouais or organization from adopting the
name used by them, and also have a right to
demand that any property belonging to them
held by others unlawfully be returned.
This is the point upon which the fight will
be made, and as the new society will hardly
yield without a struggle some very lively pro-
ceedings may be expected. There are several
lawyers among the newly elected officers, and
that. coupled with the fact that plenty of
funds will DO available, indicates the '.reRu-
lars mean business.
AMRRICAN rNvrNrnDS