Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-03
TRAVELLERS ARE IN SESSION
Nebraska United Knights Of the Grip We'll
coined to Grand Island.
GIVEN POSSESSION or CITY BY MAYOR
scores Present at OPENING Hour and
More Delegations Arrive 90 Par
ticipate n Annual Business
Session and Festivities.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb., May 2~.-(special)
AT the hour Of the opening Of the annual
session Of the United Commercial Travellers
Of Nebraska. at 10 this morning. over 100
members we're present, with every train
bringing additional numbers. Many more
are expected on trains from all directions
this evening. One of the officials OF the
organization said that this session will
have the largest number Of knights In at
tendance Of any meeting in the history OF
the organization.
At 10 o'clock this morning a parade was
formed at the Elks' hall. which is the in
formal headquarters of the convention, and,
headed by Harrison's band and participated
in by nearly 200 visiting and local knights
OF the grip, the committees and citizens.
marched to the Grand Army OF the Repub-
lie hall, where the program was opened by
the invocation. lead by Rev. l. A. Arthur.
Mayor James Cleary followed with an ad-
dress OF welcome, and said:
/ have been designated to offer you greet
Grand Island that / bid you to enter our
gates. And while you are here we want
you to take charge of our city and con-
duct It In your own way as long as you
/ confess that / find It dificult in talking
to, you to find a nall to Fang to- n,,or,.n
who compose the craft, for many reasons.
l had high ambitions once myself and was
felt in the ranks Of the travelling fraternity:
Ny hopes, however, were never realized. i
made my first trip by slow coaches as raj raj
the persuasive powers l had at my com
mand, l returned home thoroughly con,
in the manipulation OF the English vocabu-
larry than l possessed and have ever since
been the more willing to tip my hat to the
knight, Of tbs, grip, and to accord MIN all
the privilege he asks for. -
the name OF the eitIzens OF tn aSd cry ~ assure .IS
YOU we feel honored In having you as
guests within our walls.
A very neat response was made by H. H.
Cherry Of Hastings, who, addressing the
mayor, thanked him heartily for the cor
| dial welcome.
Our order" said he, "in substance, Re
not, as might be supposed by many not
conversant with our doings, nor yet ac-
quainted with us as individuals, made VI
Of a careless lot, and l assure you, In the
name Of our organization. that the freedom
of your city so literally extended will not
be misused. And to you. Rev. Arthur, ]
want to express the thanks Of the organiza-
ton for the sincere invoking prayer In oul
behalf.
The United Commercial Travellers haf
been in existence for twelve years. Charity
is the chiefest Of its tenets. We aim to up.
| lift ourselves and those nearest to us. You
| will find no bereaved widow of a United
Commercial Traveller in want. We are glad
to be In Grand Island and we again thank
you for your cordial welcome and your
thoughtful invocation"
After a nve minutes recess organization
was effected, the body convened In execu
tive session and routine business under
taken. Committeen on credentials and rail
roads we're appointed. This afternoon
Grand Counsellor Walton was met at the
depot and escorted to the hall. Election Of
officers, which was to have been held to-
day, was postponed until tomorrow morn
ing.
This evening the visiting and local mem.
bers OF the organization and ladies, TO-
gether with the members OF the Elks ant
ladies. enjoyed a grand ball at Ancient Or
der Of United Workmen hall. The hall Il
splendidly decorated with insignias Of tn,
order, flowers aud palms.