The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-01-26

rotary and paid to the treasurer in
membership fees S3l0.O 90, donations
1926. 90. | have advanced the sum of
S373. 80, making o total of sos. 80.
This advance on my part. y expect
to get returns from the revenue that
is derived from the program FROM
advertising paid for by the whole
saler, who really makes the greatest
contributions towards the carrying
on Of this work.
I have outlined i'm the program
which has been placed before you a
little history which contains the in
formation regarding the name of this
association. Some time in December
[ learned that our first vice president
was sending out communications to
some of our members asking them to
meet and form a separate organiza-
tion of the hardware dealers. Shortly
after the officers of this association
had selected the day and place of
holding the annual meeting, [ learn
ed. accidentally, that others than the
first yice-president were sending out
communications calling for a meeting
OF these same people one week in ad-
vance OF our own meeting. On COM
m%unicating with the president, l
found. that he was as much at sea On
these meetings as the %secretary's
Office, but on investigating [ COM
municated with the gentlemen who
were instrumental liz holding the
meeting in advance of ours and pre-
vailed upon them to meet at the
same time as our annual convention
4 nnH fhorohu rof tho honoHf nf f1,o
rates which we could establish for
travelling expense. 1t seems as
/ though the time was too limited to
' bring about successful cooperation.
This action has entailed considera-
BILE work and confusion in this office,
aud no doubt has decreased to a con-
i siderable extent our attendance at
! this meeting. / regret very much
the action that was taken and that
your president and directors were
not taken into the confidence of these
gentlemen who are mostly members
OF this association and given that
that courteous treatment which was
due. However. l feel DIS though on
the part Of the present..oficers Of the
new association no intentional dis
courtesy was intended. | believe
that they II engaged in a good
work and I know that you will all
join with me in wishing them God
speed, a successful organization, and
on the part of the different %aSsocia-
tions Of this state will make a strong
force and that the purchasing power
of this state will be felt in the com-
melcial world.
The Retail Implement Dealers of
South Dakota, southwest Minnesota
and northwest Iowa, as did also the
harwdare Dealers in their annual
convention last held, elect a dele
gate, each one Of them to attend our
annual meeting. For this compli-
ment they should have our thanks.
and the gentlemen SO named [ would
recommend chat they be gwen an
honorary membership in u associa-
ton and be asked to sit in our body
and take full part in our proceedings
as members.
I presume that it. will always be
the case that the largest body will
consist OF inactive; members. as it
does at the present time There are
a certain number Of menswho feel the
need OF organization, believe that
they receive benefits, pay ,heir dues
and attend the meetings. There are
also a large number Of men in the
mercantile business in this state, as
in any other, who think tlleil work
is done when they write the secre-
tary a letter in answer to bis COM
munication and say "God bless you.
let the good work go on but | can
not do anything towards helping
you.' My office feels the enthusi-
assn of your president. lie is of
the most enthusiastic, conscientious
workers for the associations bene6t
that il has ever been my pleasure to
meet. and feels Il hearty desire in
the good welfare of every merchant
in this state, and has at all times
been a help to me. l want to thank
the officers, one and all, and the
members of this association for the
words of encouragement and The
helping hand that they have extend
ed to this Office and me in my work.
Treasurer Andrews made his re-
port, which showed.that tie receipts
for the year including cash advanced
by Secretary Tyler, amounted to
1894. AZ, and $e36.47 vas expended in
the necessary transaction Of the bust.