The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-22
GLAD TO BE in THE CITY
HARDWOOD LUMBER DEALERS APP
PKECIATE INDIANAPOLIS.
Great Interest VIII Center in the Elec-
ton Of Officers To-Day-Banquet
at the New Claypool.

The National Harwood Lumber Associa-
ton had the honor of formally dedicating
the assembly hall of the Claypool yester-
day, opening Its annual meeting in that
room. There were over a hundred dele
gates present when Mayor Bookwalter was
presented TO speak a word of welcome TO
the lumbermen, and the mayor found that
they were a responsive set. They received
his welcome warmly. and. after he had told
them that the city was theirs long as
they wished to stay, President F. H. Smith,
of st. Louis. responded by saying that the
lumbernen were quite as glad TO come to
Indianapolis as the city was to receive
them. for they were FULLY aware Of the
hospitality of indianapolis citizens and OF
the advantages of the Hoosier capital
convention city.
Reports of officers and committees vas
the first order Of business, and the officers
showed that the association is growing at
a gratifying rate, that there is handsome
surplus in the treasury and that the gen.
eral condition of the organization is al
that could be desired. The inspection bu-
reau committee, of which J. W. Thompson,
of Memphis, is chairman, reported the
progress of its work. but made no recon-
mendations. This committee has charge
of all licensed inspectors maintained by the
association.
Theo. Fathauer. OF Chicago, chairman of
the committee on revision of inspection
rules, made report recommending that no
changes be made in the rules. The report
was adopted.
The transportation committee, which has
maintained a traffic manager, w. ID. Hurl-
but, of Chicago. submitted a report of gen.
eral conditions of the department, but made
no recommendations. The question of
abolishing the office Of traffic manager, so
far as The exclusive proprietorship of the
association is concerned. and have Mr..
Hurlbut look after the interests of other
similar organizations, such as the coal OPP
orators, etc. as well as the interests of the
lumbermen, was brought before the dele
gates. but ii did not meet with unanimous
approval.
ELECTION TO-DAY.
At to-day's session the general business
of the association will be taken up in an
informal manner and discussed. This aft
ernoon the election of officers will take
place. and this will prove the most interest
ing part of the convention. Politics was at
fever heat among the delegates last night,
and the rivalry between the candidates is
said to be stronger than at any previous
convention.
There are three candidates for president
B. +. Swain, of Seymour, Ind; Max Sond-
heimer Of Chicago, and w. H. Russo, of
MempnlS-and the principal interest Is GEN.
tered in this contest. All three of the cam
didates have aggressive delegations behind
them, and members Of the association said
last night that 1t would be a difficult mat
ter to pick the winner. Mr.. Russo is not
in attendance at the convention, as he is
at present touring Europe. and he is con-
Quoting his campaign at long range, but
he is represented here by his partner.
George Burgess, and by large number of
Tennesseeans. Both Mr.. Russo and Mr..
Burgess, by the way, are former Indian
apolis citizens.
Mr. Swain, Indiana'S candidate for presi-
dent, has strong backing in the support of
the Cincinnati Lumbermen's Club in adj
dition to that given him by the Indiana
members of the organization. The Cincin-
natl club has opened headquarters the
eighth floor of the Claypool in a large
suite that is well stocked with campaigning
material, and it was said last evening that
practically every member OF the club would
vote for Mr.. Swain.
The friends of Mr.. Sondheimer, Chicago's
candidate, are equally active and fully
as confident of success. The Chicago rep
resentation alone numbers thirty delegates.
Last night at $3.50 there was an informal
meeting of the Hoo-Eoos, a social order of
lumbermen of which almost all the members
of the Hardwood Lumber Association are
members.
Tonight the convention will be brought
TO a close with a banquet at the Claypool,
at which Governor Durbin, Senators Fair
banks and Beveridge and John l.. Griffiths,
OF this city. will be the principal speakers.