Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-12-03

pronounced benefits had accrued. After
much discussion 1t was decided to con-
vene the third year at Waterloo. This
was in 1899, and it was here that the
thought of changing the character of the
organization from local to
A STATEWIDE ASSOCIATION
was terminated. The meeting at Wa
terloo was success. altho the member
ship did not exceed one hundred. The
attendance Of manufacturers and job
bers was large. Their exhibits filled the
available space under cover and blocked
the streets. Subjects of vital interest to
both wholesaler and retailer were dis
eussed, and the beginnings of more
friendly relations were established. The
idea of broadening the influence of the
association was hailed with alacrity. An
impetus to the plan was given by the
election of some Of the officers from
parts of the. state other than northern
Iowa The board of directors met, Sc
lected secretary from the central part
of the state and picked upon Des Moines
as the place for calling the next annual
convention. The wholesalers and traV-
elers of the capital city formed a club
and co-operated with the officers of the
association in securing new members
and agitating the all-1owa plan. AS a
result the success of the convention
there on Jan. 2, 3 and 4, 1900, was with
out parallel. The membership was
trebled at one stroke, and the future of
the movement assured. Des Moines gave
the implement dealers royal welcome,
and boasted of a larger, finer and more
complete exhibit of implements and We
hicles in connection with the convention
than had been seen at the state fair. The
hotels We're taxed to their utmost ca
pacity in caring for the visitors, and for
the first time the efforts Of the associa-
ton to better the condition of the trade
bore visible fruit. The constitution and
bylaws were revised, and by an almost
unanimous vote the name of the organi-
zation was changed to the Iowa Imple-
ment Dealers Association. Wholesalers
and retailers met on a friendly footing.
differences were talked over personally
and settled amicably, and mutual in
terest in trade problems cultivated be-
tween the maker of the goods and the
man who sells them. During the year
the membership Of the association
greatly increased until between proba-
bly, FIVE and six hundred Iowa dealers
acknowledged allegiance to 1t. The con-
vention was again held in Des Moines.
on Jan. 5, 4 and 5, 1901, to repeat the
success and good results of the one the
year before. This time, however, an ele-
ment of discord sprang UP by the refu-
sal OF the jobbers and transfer houses of
Des MONIES to close their exhibits dur
ing the sessions of the association,
which were held in the afternoons.
At the former convention the exhib-
its had practically been closed except
during the forenoons and evenings, and
1t is said that the officers of the associa-
ton felt that keeping them open in the
afternoons also would detract from the
interest of the convention sessions. But
the Des Moines people persisted in their
course, as result of which, enthusiast
tic workers say, while the association
membership was not decreased, no per-
ceptible gain was made. A resolution
was passed by the association condemn
ing this practice. which excited consid-
cradle comment In Des Moines This
condition of affairs confronted the board
of directors when they met in October
to select the place Of meeting. Des
Moines Cedar Rapids Ottumwa, Mason
City, Fort Dodge and Marshalitown
were after the convention. Representa-
tives presented the advantages Of each
of these cities DEG Moines wanted the
convention badly, but would not agree
that exhibits should be closed part of
the time, as requested. Finally the
lboard determined on Marshalltown as
the place for holding the convention, as
an agreement had been made to close
exhibits here in the afternoons. 1t is
thought that members of the association
will be better satisfied to have the con-
vention moved about, thus enabling
them to see more Of their own state and
its cities than to have 1t located at any
one place permanently. AT any rate the
success of the meeting here will have a
kgreat effect on the future of the associ-
alton.
ITS AIMS AND OBJECTS.
According to it's constitution and by
laws, the object of the association is
the mutual benefit and protection of
its members" 1t is easily seen how the
members are mutually benefited, by
meeting in friendly intercourse, discus
sing matters pertaining to the business,
each one learning from the others, each
one gaining better opinion of his COM
petitor and mankind in general. Some
of the subjects pertinent to the imple-