The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-04-30
THIRD ANNUAL MEETING.
THE AMERICAN FRUIT AND PRODUCE
TRAVELLERS ASSOCIATION.
Last Night-LaPge and Enthusiastic
Attendance-The Organization in a
FIourishing Conditfon-Omcers EIec-
ted for this Year.

The third annual convention of the
American Fruit and Produce Travel
ers' Association, which was organized
in Wilmington three years ago, con-
vened yesterday at 4 o'clock at the
rooms Of the Wilmington Merchants
Association, in the Seaboard Air Line
building, on North Front street. There
was q large attendance and the trav-
cling men were full OF enthusiasm n
deeply interested in the meeting.
A large number of members were pres
ent from all parts of the United States.
Mr.. j. G. Thompson, of Philadelphia,
president of the association, presided,
and Mr.. J.. r. Franklin, of Baltimore,
the secretary, was present in hat ca
pacity.
After organizing President Thomp-
son delivered his annua address, n
it was very highly appreciated by the
association. 1t was as follows:
"Gentlemen:-It affords me much
pleasure to meet with you again and
to see your familiar faces in Whining
ton, the birth place of u organiza-
ton, after a year of travel, searching
for the products of the soil suitable to
our wants.
THE past year has recorded little
change in our organization. We have
had some very good additions in the
way of membership n I have a
but one committee to appoint to inveS-
tigate a complaint.
IT think it we'll to give such things
due consideration and be careful that
personal animosities do not influence
- a~ry or - ic ofon1n ifI n
great deal of trouble to the organiza-
ton and in many instances has no
beneficial results.
1.-THE meeting held in Buffalo, N. Y,
October Goth 1900, was not largely at
tended but considerable interest was
manifested. Some additions were made
to our bylaws as recorded in the min
uteS of the meeting.
1.-THE clause for each member that
desires to deposit a dollar with the
treasurer to create a fund, to be for
warded by him Immediately on notifi-
cation of death. / think it a good
thing and hope it will meet with
general support. The hotel commit
tee has not been as active as I hoped
for. We must all agree that in fruit
and vegetable centerS where we are
compelled to go, in some instances we
have to pay too much for hotel ac-
commodations and our livery bills are
too much. I hope the new hotel COM
mittee will accomplish more.
"Our membership is becoming large
new members are constantly coming
in.
Gentlemen, our membership is
drawn from all the large commercial
cities of the United States and all
towns hat are large enough to have
commission houses that employ travel
ing solicitors. Our membership eX-
tan6C from tho 1aRac fn the Gn1f Of
Mexico, and from the Atlantic to the
Pacific ocean and we have one MEM
Der located in Cuba. We are getting
some of the best solicitors with us.
Some of the representative firms of the
country where one or more of the firm
travels are uniting with us.
Gentlemen, the commission houses
that are represented by the united
membership of the American Fruit
and Produce Travellers Association, do
millions and millions of dollars worth
of business each year, and the men,
bers of this organization leaves hum
dredS of thousands of ollar along the
line they travel. The hotels, the livery
stables, the transportation companies
all feel our need. The farmer has
learned to wait for our coming n he
is the important factor in our business.
The success or failure of houses repse-
sented by us depends upon the farmer.
Our Houses owe their very existence to
him. The NON markets of the world
depend on the success or failure of his
efforts. In fact, gentlemen he makes
it possible for you and I to " a
position.
we must consider him the most
important link in the chain Of u bus
mess existence. AS such we must
treat him, always trying to make each
visit to him more and more pleasant
| for both.
Gentlemen, we are bound to become
a power that can direct things our way
when we are wronged. We require a
strict adherence to the constitution and
bylaws n each one to work for the
| good of the order. Don't allow our
| selves to be jealous of those who are
more successful than we, but work
that much harder ourselves. Don't OBJ
ject to others methods of working.
Every n has a method of his own.
Respect all methods that are honora-
BILE. Let success be the watch word
of us ALL"
After President Thompson had de-
livered his address, the association
transacted it's routine business and dis
cussed many things Of interest to the
members.
A recess was then taken till $50 D.
m.
NIGHT SESSION.
At $3.50 p. m. the association again
assembled at the rooms of the Mer-
chants Association, and went into the
| election of officers for the ensuing e ar.
The following officers were elected:
President-E. A. Makely, of Buffalo.
| N. Y.
Vice Presidents. s. Sudler, of Bos-
ton, Mass.
Secretary. r. Franklin, of Balti-
more, Md.
The president-was authorized to ap-
point at his isure the executive and
hotel committees.
The association discussed many mat
ters Of Importance and interest, and
| after adopting a motion thanking the
Merchants Association for the use Of
it's rooms, an adjournment was had.
1t was about IL o'clock last night when
the meeting ended, and 1t was as prof.
table as it was harmonious and enjoy
| able to all.
- NJ ~-g ---.