Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-26
THE MANUFACTURERS
THEIR PRESIDENT SAYS THAT
PROSPERITY HAS ARRIVED.
THE METRIC SYSTEM PROPOSED.
Committee Recomme ndation That II
Government Departmental Luxu-
rious "SmOker" at the Waldorf.

NEW YORK, January 25.-The third an
nual convention of the National Associa-
ton Of Manufacturers began at the Ma
sonic Temple this city. to-day. Mer-
chants from all parts OF the country
were present at the morning session. at
which Theodore c. Search, OF Philadol-
phia, presided. The convention will close
with banquet on Thursday, at which
President Mckinley, Senator Frye, and
others will speak.
In his annual report President Search
declared that during the past twelve
months the industries of the United States
had progressed from iong-continUed dull
ness and stagnation into pronounced ac-
tivity.
The report OF Mr.. T. II. Martin, OF
Atlanta, Ca, commissioner OF the asso-
citation for Mexico, was then read. Mr..
Martin stated that ne was courteously
received by President Diaz, and was con-
fident that a proposition to establish
sample warehouse of American goods In
the City of Mexico would be promptly ac-
eepted by the Mexican Government.
The report of the Committee on Ian
guage, Weights. and Measures recon-
mended the adoption Of the metric sys-
tenn Of weights and measures as the legal
system of the United States, to come into
force January /. 1901.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.
The report Of the Committee OF Com
merce and Industry, read by its chair
man, Charles A. Schieren, ex-Mayor OF
Brooklyn, dealt almost exclusively with
the work done toward promoting the
creation of national department OF COM
merce and industry, and the necessity for
the existence of such an institution.
The Committee on Transportation
recommended that the interstate com
merce law be amended so as 10 include
a provision for uniform national classid-
cation, and TO invest the Interstate Com
merce Commission with such power as
will prevent unjust discrimination and
extortion in transportation charges, and
the adoption of the anti-scalping bill.
After luncheon on board the ST. Louis
Secretary T.. p. Wilson OF Cincinnati
submitted his annual report. This show
ed a gain OF GA members during the past
year. The report Of Treasurer LaidlAw.
Of Cincinnati. showed total receipts
amounting TO s39.767. and disbursements
amounting TO sS7.19l, leaving a balance for
the year of $2.575.
The report OF the Committee on Lam
guages. Weights, and Measures created
considerable discussion, and was referred
to the Committee on Resolutions.
LUXURIOUS SMOKER"
Between 500 and 800 OF the delegates
were entertained tonight by the mem
bers OF the local branch OF the associa-
tion at a Bohemian smoker at the wal
dorf Hotel. which is supposed TO have
cost $4,000. The affair was held in the
old ballroom. The room was decorated
with delicate flowers potted plants. and
ferns.
As the guests passed through the recep.
tion-rooms TO the ballroom they passed
by a plush-iined box eight feet long and
two feet deep. This was flied to over
flowing with the finest brands OF cigars.
a bunch OF which was handed 10 each
guest
About the ballroom at regular dis
tances were small tables. The smoAer
was absolutely informal The guest seat.
ed himself at a table ordered anything
he desired from the Waldorf menu. and
smoked HIS cigar as he talked To MS
friends, or turned towards the stage. at
one end OF the room. where during the
evening half a hundred theatrical per.
FORMERS appeared before the guests.