Omaha daily bee., 1907-02-06
CATALOGUE HOUSES EYED
Big Concerns Watched Cut Of Hardware
Retailers Convention.
SEQ OF SENDING OUT THE SPIES
asl<a Dealers Adopt New COnsti-
tuition and Bylaws and Ex-
cIude Liquor at Their
Banquets.

II isn't very often that an organization
which has held five annual conventions in
the course of its existence, ls called to
order in annual session without a consti-
tuition and set of bylaws. But such was
the case when the Nebraska Retail Hard
ware association began its three days con-
vention Tuesday at the Auditorium. After
1t had been explained that the old consti-
tuition had been lost in a FIRE. proposed
new constitution and bylaws, which had
been prepared in advance, were presented.
With some slight changes they were
adopted.
The association intends that not all its
| deliberations shall reach the public ear.
for the bylaws provide that while the first
/ days session of the annual meetings shall
be open, all other sessions may be execu-
tive or not at the discretion of the execu-
tive committee. \The reason given was that
the catalogue houses have men out 10 spy
on the doings of the retailers, and atten-
tion was called to the suit of Montgomery
Ward against z. ]. Mannix, editor of
trade paper at Sioux Falls, s. D.. charging
him with conspiracy in restraint of trade,
the changes being based on information
said to have been obtained from members
of the retailers association. Commenting
on the provision of the bylaws, President
Roberts instructed the sergeant-at-arms to
be careful, during executive sessions. not
to admit people they did not know. Rep
resentatives OF the press are to be admitted
as long as the executive committee sees
ht not to exclude them.
No Liquor at BanQuets.
One regulation adopted is that no malt or
intoxicating liquor of any kind shall be
served at any banquet by the association.
| Membership fees were fixed at s. and an
nual dues at S. except for associate MEM
bers among the jobbers and travellers, who
are to pay 81 annually Failure TO pay dues
within thirty days after they become due
will suspend members. The bylaws pro-
vide for an annual meeting in February.
President Roberts appointed these COM
mittees:
Nominating-J. C. Cornell, Ord; A. C.
cuse.
Press-C f. schram. Omaha: E. s. Hay
ResolutIopsSs G @ C A sa1aerson. % %Inooini enS a.
wausa; P. F. Connant, Benedict; Frank
Grievances weaverlins, Peru; Max
| Uhlig, Ioldrege.
The l. esident was authorized to appoint
! a legislative committee of Ave. which he
will announce today. Among other things,
this committee is to discuss the advisability
Of advocating legislation to restrict peddling
In the country.
Treasurer H. j. Hall Of IIncoln reported
a balance on hand OF sl.s29. o.. Receipts for
1906 were sS.66ss3 while expenditures were
! t2.22443.
Mr.. Han reported for himself and Presi-
dent Roberts as delegates to the national
convention of hardware dealers in Chicago
last March. He spoke with pride of the
discussion on that occasion In regard TO
the fight of Nebraska retail organizations
to have catalogue house advertisements
eliminated from the publications OF FRA
ternal societies. In this connection Mr..
Hall quoted from letter of A. r. Talbot.
head consul of the Modern Woodmen of
America In which Mr.. Talbot promises
no catalogue or mail order houses could
advertise in the organ OF that society after
the February issue.
Smoker at Commercial Club.
Last evening the dealers were the guests
of the Wright & Wilhelmy company and
the Lee-Glass-Andreesen Hardware COM
pany at a smoker at the Commercial club.
and the thirty-two women who came to
Omaha with their husbands were the guests
of Omaha women at the Boyd At 2:SO this
afternoon reception will be given at the
Her Grand for the visiting women. An en-
tertainment by the exhibiting manufac-
turera will be given tonight in the Audi
toriun.
Omaha is swarming with retail hard
ware dealers from all parts of the state
and factory men from all parts of the
union.
Every available foot of space in the
Auditorium Is occupied by the exhibits of
the factories and foreign Jobbers. the local
iobbers choosing to make their showing al
their own warehouses. Almost everything
in the hardware line is showp-stoves, fur
naces, knives razors locks, hay tools,
curling irons, kettles, chatting dishes,
chicken fences.
The executive committee met in the fore
noon and looked after details OF the con-
vention, while President Nathan Roberts
framed up his. list OF committee appoint
ments.
The convention proper was called to order
at o'clock by President Roberts After
an invocation by Rev. E II. Jenks, the
hardware men were welcomed by Mayor
James C. Dahlman- Max Uhlig OF Hold
rege, ex-president OF the association, re-
sponded.
President Roberts Talks.
II hope very soon to see the consumma-
ton of my desires. namely, the federation
OF all lines OF retail business" said Presi-