Washington sentinel., 1900-10-20
Retailers in Convention.

Retailers In Convention.
The eighth annual convention Of
the National Retail Liquor Deal
ers' Association was in session in
Baltimore the past week. The
delegates met with a cordial recep
ton from their Maryland brethren,
enjoyed themselves highly, trans
acted some important business tor
the interest Of the members OF the
association, and then adjourned.
National Secretary Robert J.
Halle, Of Chicago, in his report
dealt largely with plans for raising
revenue tor the association and to
influence legislation before Con-
gress. He urged the establishment
OF a literary bureau to publish and
distribute literature to advance the
interests Of the saloonkeepers and
to meet the attacks Of the oppo-
nents OF the saloon.
The advisability Of adopting a
ritual and placing the national and
State organizations on a secret and
irateInal basis was discussed at
length and a carefully prepared
ritual was adopted. This ritual
will be used by all subordinate
bodies in the initiation oil members
and the conduct oi work. 1t is
thought that the fraternal features
thus introduced will prove OF much
benefit to the organization
After long and thorough de-
bate resolutions were adopted
stating the attitude Of the national
association upon questions affect
ing the interests OF retail liquor
dealers. The resolutions state that
the association has 100 900 - en-
bers in all parts Of the United
States. They promise co operation
with the distillers and wholesale
whisky men in an effort to have
the war tax on spirits reduced.
All aid possible will be given the
brewers in their fight for relief
from the present tax on beer. Be
cause Ot this tax, it is asserted, not
only has the sale e beer decreased,
but advantage has been taken oil
the temptation to produce inferior
grades OF the beverage. An effort
will also be made to have the war
tax on pool and billiard tables and
bowling alleys abolished. The
association thinks this can be done,
as notwithstand the enormous
expense Of conducting the war in
the Philippines the United States
Treasury has surplus OF some
thing over SI5o, 900, 900.
The national organization was
reported to be in excellent financial
condition, and it will aid local and
State organizations in fighting laws
and ordinances Objectionable to
the liquor trade.
A considerable part Of the ses-
sion was taken up by reports of
State delegations. These in most
cases went into detail concerning
the state of the retail liquor bust
ness and legislation passed or
pending since the last annual
meeting Of the association. 1t was
reported that the association is
growing in strength in all parts OF
the country, and that II e financial
condition Of the various State
bodies is, as rule, encouraging.
The association selected Niagara
Falls, N. Y, as the place for hold
ing the next convention. Previous
to adj ournment the following off,
GERS were elected. j. F. Weiss, of
Canton, Ohio. president Cre-
elected); George F. Gmlnder, oil
New York, first vice president;
Thomas F. Lally, OF Minneapolis,
second vice president; John Helm
kamp, oil Fort Wayne, third vice
president; R, ]. Halle, OF Chicago,
secretary, (re.elected); William
Mcclure, Washington, treasurer,
and P. H. Nolan, organizer.