The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-29


state Vicc-President of National Acric.
Enthusiastic scenes marked the OPEN
ing of the State Aerie of Eagles at
the home of Dixie Aerie yesterday af-
ternoon. the formal opening exercises
being postponed to await the arrival
of the Norfolk delegation, which came
by special train in style. After the
oratory OF the afternoon, the prelimi-
nary business steps were taken in the
appointment Of committees and refer
ence Of resolutions. the evening being
given over to general enjoyment in a
smoker rendered the State convention
by Dixie Aerie. of Richmond. Meet
Ing this morning promptly at $3.50
o'clock, the principal business session
of the convention will continue to 2
p. NJ. when special cars Will be in
readiness to take the delegates TO
Lakeside Park. where luncheon will be
provided. The session will probably
not be concluded until Saturday after.
noon.
Believes In High Standard.
The feature of the opening exercises
was an address by c. S. johnson, of
Roanoke, State vice-president of the
National Association, Fraternal Order
of Eagles. and the ranking officer OF
the order in this State. Mr. johnson
discussed many of the questions pend
ing at this time. Though the Eagles
have taken in more than 700 members
during the past year in Virginia, this
has not equaled their growth In for
mer years. and the question has been
raised by some as to the ACCESSIBILITY
of reducing the initiation fees and the
requirements of membership. Vice
President Johnson opposed either step
attributing the lack of applications for
membership to "hard times" and the
fact that many men were out of en-
ployment or living on narrow means.
| Looking for better times, and paint
| Ing a bright picture of the industrial
future of the State. Mr.. Johnson pre-
| dicted that the order would take In
| 1000 members in Virginia this year.
| At to-day's session the two features
! which attract the most general atten-
ton are the selection of the next place
| of meeting and of election of officers
for the coming year, nearly every one
of the twenty-five aeries in the State
having nominations to make. For the
place Of meeting the fight lies be-
| tween Roanoke and Newport News,
with Roanoke Slightly In the lead. For
| the presidency politicatng was hot
! last night. the first vicespresident, Mr..
| Carter Braxton. of Stanton, who by
| right of precedence claims the posi-
ton. being opposed by Mr.. Mercer
Hartman. of Roanoke, an active work
er in the organization.
AT the smoker last night the speak
| ers were President L. E. Blondell,
| State President c. S. johnson, OF
| Roanoke. and Past Worshpful Presi-
dent Sears. of Pittsburg, visitor at
| the Virginia Aere.
Committees Appointed.
| The following committees We're an
| nounced by President Blondell yes
| terday:
| On Credentials-H. II. Harlow, Staun.
ton; P. T. Murphy, Richmond: NJ. j.
Lyons, Norfolk; T. H. Smith, Manches-
ter. and G. E. Kelly, Of Suffolk.
Jul!cinry-C. Braxton, stanton; Dr..
J. P. Roy, Richmond; ]. J. Lawler, Nor
folk; 8. S. Griffith. Harrisonburg; /.
B. Graves. Clifton Forge, and John T..
| Flood. Portsmouth.
| Resolution.-I.. Loed. NJ. D.. Newport
News; NJ. Hartman. Roanoke; w. A.
Young, Norfolk: Gus Bernier, Rich
mond: w K. Brown, Norfolk, and S. S.
Lawson, Hampton.
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