The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-19
UNION Of RETAIL
MERCHANTS
The Executive Committee
Meets Here on 18th.
The Next State Convention Will lie
Held in Winston-Salem. Mar
veIcus Growth of the AS
ISOLATION Shown.

The North Carolina Retail Merchants
its organization. The work of forming
this association was begun under the
auspices of the National Association OF
Retail Merchants and has been greatly
aided by various manufacturers and
Wholesale associations. The national or
ganizer visited several towns in tho State
and formed local associations These
local associations elected delegates and 4
State convention was called 10 meet III
Raleigh on the 10th and 18th OF June, 1903,
and then and there the North Carolina
Association of Retail Merchants was
formed.
The officers elected we're representative
merchants of the trade. Mr.. john Dunn
Of Ncwbern, one OF the largest and most
experienced merchants Of Eastern Caro-
lima, was elected President Mr. d. r.
Johnson. of Raleigh a gentleman OF un-
questioned ability and q web known MGR
chant, was elected first vice-presldent
Hon j. e. Peterson. OF Goldsboro, a man
and a merchant who is we'll known
throughout the State, was elected second
y.
Greensboro senior member of the well
kncwn firm Of Rankin Brothers, was elect
ed treasurer. Mr.. W. A. Avant, of Char
lctte. young man OF sterling qualities,
was elected secretary. Norman II. John
soi', Esq, of Burlington, q young man
of ability and a polished and lucid
speaker, who has made commercial law
life time study. was elected attorney
general and organizer.
The Southern Merchant published ut
Atlanta, Ga, says;
THAT the first convention of the Retail
Merchants which was held at Raleigh was
attended by the brightest and best ele-
ment of the trade has been amply evil
denced by the manner IN which they
have taken hold of and pressed the in
tcrests their association. They realized
that unless a conn etent man was placed
in the field to carry forward this work
that it would amount to naught and
gas ping fully the situation they prompt
ly went down into their pockets 1or their
dues That they had their man in their
cwn State best fitted for this work is
clearly attested by the results obtained
The ideas of organization as explained
by their attorney general. Hon. Norman
IL. Johnson, SGT precedent IOf TINS
work for the entire United States, and
while this worl. was commenced less than
nine months ago with seventeen local as
sCciations they have rev March 12th)
fCl ty-f Ave local associations 1t is, at once,
the largest and best organized Southern
State ard ranks equall we'll with many
OF the Western States which have had
organizations for several years.
The State has not been entirely can
vassed. Tbs executive committee will
meet in Raleigh, March 2sth, to discuss
the furtherance of the work and other
matters of Importance.
The next State convention will be held
at Winston-Salem June 1911 Elaborate
are being made by this ac-
tive local association of the Twin City
TO entertain the delegates and merchants
who attend this convention. Reduced
yates on all railroads will be secured and
no pains will be spared to make this con-
vention both pleasant and profitable to
those in attendance.
This organization is filing a long-felt
want 10 the North Carolina merchant. 1t
advocates those things which tend to the
hetterment OF trade conditions Careful
study OF ncfarious devices which beeet
the trade is encouraged and many adj