The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-24
GAY KNIGHTS OF THE GRIP.
THIRD ANIMAL RALLX OF THE n. p.
A. OF GEORGIA.

Two Hundred Delegates Present at
the Opening Session in the BAN
Room of the KimbaII HOuse-Gov.
Atkinson and Mayor Collier of At
Ianta Deliver Addresses of Wei
come - President Max Robinson
Makes Gratifying Exhibit of the
Past Years work.
Atlanta Ca, April 2S,-The third an
nual convention Of the Georgia state di-
vision of the Travellers Protective Asso-
citation opened at 10 o'clock this morning
In the ball room of the Kimball house. Two
hundred visiting delegates were present
representing all the different posts of the
state
The convention will be in session until to-
morrow night when it adjourns with a
great banquet at the Kimball house, ten
dered by the local posts and merchants.
President Max Robinson of savannah
called the convention to order this morn
ing and delivered an appropriate address.
The prayer at the opening was made by
Rev. Dr. Monk of Macon, the chaplain
OF the state association.
j. e Maddox of this city delivered an
address of welcome on behalf of the local
posts and other welcoming speeches were
made by Gov Atkinson for the state, and
by Mayor Collier for the city, President
Robinson responding on behalf Of the
dTummers.
This evening a largely attended infor-
nal reception was held by the drummers
at the Kimban. many prominent Allan
taians being present to meet them and
shaks hands
in opening the convention President
Robinson, who was introduced by c. r.
johnson of Atlanta, told of the organiza-
ton of the Georgia division three years
ago and of its growth. lie expressed his
appreciation of the cordial welcome ex-
tended the association by the state and
city. and declared that words of welcome
were not needed as welcome was seen on
all sides, while the knightly grip had been
extended from every one. His honor
the mayor, has told us the city was ours,
to take what we liked. l want to take
back with me something we see on all
sides" said President Robinson, some
thing yet nothing. that something that
represents Atlanta, that is Atlanta.
mean her push and energy. ! want to
take with me some of that energy"
President Robinson spoke of the impor-
tant place held by the travelling men of
to-day of the trust and confidence re-
posed in them by their employees, and said
that without the travelling man com
merce and enterprise of all kinds would
fail"
President Robinson's annual report,
which was read at the afternoon session,
showed the organization to be in good
financial condition as well as enjoying
large increase in numerical strength The
Georgia division now has a membership
of 442, and several hundred dollars in the
treasury.
Probably the most important matter be-
fore the meeting was the report of Il. +.
Smith, chairman of the railroad commit
tee He made an exhaustive review Of
the efforts and accomplishments of mis-
committee during the year, showing that
they had been successful in getting a
regular day coach on the Southern vesti-
bule train to Washington, thus avoiding
the Pullman fare heretofore charged, that
10 O0-mileage books have been secured,
which can be used over all lines of the
same system, and several other important
concessions. The report reviewed the eff
fort of the committee 10 have the fare
on all roads reduced to cents per mile,
and stated that the committee, while IL
had been successful in this, was led 20 he
lieve that the commission would favor
the granting of the 5,0O0-mile interchange
able mileage books to that rate. An
other thing accomplished was that pub
lie attention had been called TO the ef-
fort to cut off the northern connections
of the Seaboard Air Line, and thus de-
prive this section of competition in that
direction, the result being that the effort
failed and the Seaboard still retains its
connections.
Tomorrow the annual election of officers
will be held and IL promises TO be an ex-
ceedingly interesting feature of the con-
vention There are several candidates i'm
the field, among them J. ]. Gardner Of
Augusta, +. T.. Smith and c. l. Brannen
of Atlanta.
J. X. Orr of Columbus was regarded as
e probability up to a short time ago. when
he formally announced that he would not
accept the presidency. He was receiving
the active support of the Columbus dele
gates and others and his withdrawal sim
pifies the situation.
The association is now in a most flourish
ing condition under the administration of
President Robinson and the future for il
IS very bright.
The reports of the railroad and hotel
committees showed that a great deal of
practical good has been accomplished
through them during the year, and the
good work is TO be kept up
TO-morrow's programme will include a
ride over the city for the drummers and
their friends. and a series of sports at the
exposition grounds, which will be the term
mus of the ride.