The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1905-12-09

perhaps, quite utterly unexpected. 9TH
er gatherings and conventions had been
so different No such dull thuds as
this.
Il was like a hold.up.
Worse even, for Il was asking a man,
a mere human, palpitating being, who
had been coming money TO aesi st in
stanter, and that too, when he had large
fields-and acres-from which to draw
his fine money producing crops OF spirits
of turpentine and rosih.
No wonder, say, there was q lack
of enthusiasm and a total absence of
one man trying to get the floor away
from another, and as to discussion of
any paper or address there was no trace
or sign; not even the most feeble of
an attempt.
No doubt there was O great internal
discussion going on with each opera
tor. And there ought to have been.
He was actually not only invited but
URGED to close up shop "for awhile"
and then-what theni
This must have been the puzzling ques-
ton. II would have been to me, had
been even a small operator with q fine
revenue from the "Golden Link" 1.-THE
Naval Stores Export Company during
the past few months. With an increased
revenue one acquires and Is able to
crafty more elaborate tastes and desires
and not only, IA a rule, proceeds to do
this but-MAKES PLANS FOR THE
FUTURE AND rs PERHAPS UNDER
CERTAIN CONTRACTS OR OBLIGA.
TIONS.
President COvington read his annual
address. 1t was rapid, quick-fre, de-
livery of the goods. 1t was spoken in
u snappy, sparkling way in man.
ner well becoming man of his physique.
He told the operators it was IN THEIR
POWER to make the Naval Stores Ex-
port Company 1.-THE "GOlden Link") a
success or failure. He recommended
such action to them as to reduce the out
put of naval stores for next year-to
leave their holdings untouched and
WAIT FOR DAYS TO COME. How
long wait he did not specify nor in
dictate. After wishing God-speed to the
movement he asked if there were any
remarks.
No answer came.
Then a pause, followed by the request
if some certain man was in the room
to come forward, which brought out
a voice: 81 left him ut the hotel"
In the absence of John A. Ewing, of
Lumberton, Miss, his paper was read
Carey B. Townsend previou to whom
DR.. j. ID. Chaser of cambridge, Ca,
spoke on Cooperation Essential Among
Operators in Every Branch of the In.
dustry," and he too made recommen-
dation to the operators:
"Hold your products; keep them off
the market, don't rush them on as YOU
have been doing recently"
Of what was it symbolical-the fraz-
zled, faded, forlorn looking long leaved
pine saplings, that were lined-at in
tervals-along the side walls of the
Board of Trade Auditorium They had
been placed there some weeks ago when
President Theodore Roosevelt had been
the guest in that same room at a big
banquet.
To box less!
To withhold the axe from the grand
pine tree forests had been suggested
All! What beautiful sentiment! Il
would almost seem that the once hand
some and thickly strengthening needed
branches would brighten up and revivify
but there remained only the rusty and
ashen appearance.
Mr.. Covington arose.
He looked at those assembled. Then
he spoke. He said:
"The question of cooperation has been
talked about and we will be pleased to
hear on cooperation or along any 9th
n line. I know operators, as a rule,
ire not good takers, but let US hear
rom you."