The herald., 1898-01-18


tion to these meetings, a large number of
committee meetings have been held by
the home products committee, the COM
mittee on Mexican trade relations, the
special committee on municipal affairs
the committee on freight rates and the
exhibition committee. The attendance
of all these meetings has shown the
earnestness with which the officers and
members are imbued.
Among the most important measures
inaugurated during the last six months
was the campaign in favor of home
products. The special committee ap-
pointed to take charge of this crusade
decided upon a most effective and sys-
tematic method, and the results at
tained have shown their wisdom and
sound judgment in the matter. AS pre-
liminary step, 1000 attractive display
cards, bearing appropriate notices on
the subject of home products. were dis
tributed throughout the city in retail
stores, and there met the eyes of the
public in an appeal to buy only home
manufactured articles.
Having thus approached the public
through the retail dealer, the committee
decided to appeal directly to the con-
sumner, and for that purpose put in the
field number of lady canvassers, with
instruction to visit every home in this
city, and by personal argument with
the housewives create a sentiment in
favor Of home industry, and explain the
benefits to be derived from a rigid ad-
herence to that sentiment The city was
districted, and each canvasser was as
signed to particular part and provided
with Lot cho
reasons why home products should be
patronized and the influence Of home in
dustry on the prosperity of this city.
After the interview between the
canvasser and the housewife the latter
was requested to sign pledge to pur-
chase home products whenever possible.
AS result,of this campaign nearly 49,
900 pieces of literature bearing on this
subject have been distributed in the
homes of this city and over 1000 pledges
from housekeepers are now on file in
this office. The committee has also kept
a watchful eye that the law requiring
public institutions to give preference to
home products be carried out, and it is
within the bounds of truth to state that
from this source alone from $500, 900 to
100000 annually will be kept at home
and applied to the fostering of home in
dustry.
"The work thus accomplished in edu-
eating the people to realization of
their duties in the development of in
dustrial enterprises served as the found
alton for permanent home products
exhibition that will be thrown open to
the public within few days. Here will
be displayed articles Of local manufac-
ture and an object lesson will thus be
afforded. 1t will be a revelation to those
who underestimated the development
of the manufacturing industries in this
city, and it will enable the consumer to
learn what articles to choose in their
daily life and vocation. This associa-
tion can point with pride to the fact that
Los Angeles is the first city in the
United States to inaugurate and sup
port permanent exhibition Of home
products.
1T is not within the province of the
secretary to review at length the work
accomplished by this association, and
your president has pointed out the most
important features Of the years record.
So many matters of Importance have
been submitted that it was found ex-
pedient by the board of directors to en-
gage the services of Hon. G. g. Wright
as the legal adviser of this association
for the period Of one year.
II would suggest that one of the
greatest necessities of the coming year
is the immediate revision of the con-
stitution and bylaws Many important
propositions for the public good and for
the betterment of trade conditions will
be submitted. And when the hand of
time shall have marked its course of
another period of twelve months, the
Merchants and Manufacturers asso-
citation of Los Angeles will command anA
honorable place in the front ranks Of
the commercial institutions of the un-
ion. Respectfully submitted.
(Signed) T. j. .ZEEHANDELAAR,
Secretary.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Next followed the following financial
statement: