The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-14
THE STATE eRocERs' ASSOCIATION.
There Will be Great Gathering of Mer-
chants in Columbia Fair Week.

In view of the recent organization
in this city of the Retail Merchants
Association and the< <afiliation of this
local association with the National
Retail Grocer Association the follow
ing article from The Columbia State
in reference to the meeting of the
State Association will be of interest ::
''Among the conventions already
fully provided for to be held in fair
week is that of the new South Caro-
lima Grocers' Association, which
meets Tuesday and Wednesday.
Mr.. Geo. j. Williams, southern Or
ganizer of the National Retail Grocers
association, who is now IN this city.
has just completed the organization of
80 sub-associations in this State, so
that almost every city and town in
South Carolina will be represented at
the convention.
The reason for holding the Tues
day night session is for the purpose of
enabling the convention to complete
it's business by Wednesday noon, so
that the delegates attending the con-
vention may have chance to enjoy
the events Of the fair week. The Co.
Iumbia association intends to give the
visiting merchants a royal good time,
and taste of that hospitality which
has made Columbia famous.
Following is the programme Of the
convention:
The convention, after the enrolment
Of delegates, will be called to order by
the southern organizer, Mr.. Geo j.
Williams Gov. Hayward, Mayor
Earle and Col. E. J. Watson, secretary
of the Chamber Of Commerce, will de-
liver addresses of welcome to which
responses will be made by Nh. James
P. Caldwell, president of the Wins
boro association. MI. Frederick Ger
many, president, will deliver the ad-
dress of welcome on behalf cf the local
association. Temporary officers will be
elected and committees on credentials
appointed.
In the afternoon at 2 o'clock, after
the report of the committee on creden-
tials, there will be an address by Hon.
Chas. R. Lott of Chicago, on the
topic, "What the National Association
Stands For" Mr.. Lott is the presi
dent of the National Retail Grocers as
sociation. The vice president, Mr.. A.
W. Farlinger Of Atlanta, and the sec
retary, MI. Fred Mason Of st. Paul,
will also deliver addresses. Mr.. Mason
will speak upon 1.-The Benefits to be
Derived from Organization. -
MI. E. A. Beall of this city will
carry greetings from the wholesalers
to the retailers, and Mr.. E. E. Web
mann, president of the Charleston re-
tailers' association. will respond. Mr..
J. A. VanHoose of Birmingham, presi-
dent of the Southern Wholesale ssocia-
tion, will speak in the afternoon.
Tuesday night, after the report OF
the committee on bylaws, there will
be general discussion of garnishment
laws for the protection of the mer-
chants Of South Carolina. Mr.. John
Bratton of Atlanta, editor of the
Southern Merchant, will talk Of 1.-The
Good of the Trade Press. %
Wednesday morning at O'Clock
there will be business meeting at
which the election and installation Of
permanent officers will take place.
The committee on legislation and on
resolutions will report. After the final
adjournment the board Of directors
will meet at the Columbia hotel. -