The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-02-12
CONVENTION
.0f Merchants to be Held in
Baltimore Promises to
Be a Big One.

=
The phrase prosperity conven-
ton" has been misunderstood by
many persons, and number have
asked to be enlightened on the sub
ject. Mr.. f. ]. LaMotte, a member
of the convention committee, this
morning defined the phrase clearly
as follows;
The convention idea was inspired
by a desire on the part of our mem
bers to endeayor as far as possible
to restore full confidence in trade,
which appears to be temporarily
shaken in many sections. Our con-
clusion was that If we would only
bring our members from far and
near together and demonstrate con-
vincingly that prosperity in its true
sense really abounds throughout this
great land; that the present stagnat-
ed condition of trade is due direct
ly to sheer lack of confidence, we
might induce them to take a more
active and optimistic view of busl-
ness and start again the wheels of
their own industries and thus en-
courage others far and near to do
likewise One who digests the
trade and other official reports pub
lished from day to day in official
newspapers will be forced to the
conclusion that. the future is bound
to take god care of all of us. Take
the South as an example. The crops,
there this year are the largest ever
grown in that section, and prices the
best This is sure to make for pros
perity. The only trouble is that
these crops are not being moved in
trade channels as they should be. and
this is partly due to the simple fact
that business men have lost conf
dence. The recent furry in the
financial world took all the wind out
of their sails. Instead OF trying to
keep up their stock and continue
business as best they could, their
fear got the better OF them. Almost
to a man they appear to have tight
ened their grip on what capital they
had vixen the panic occurred and
have since refused to even make use
of their credit. The result we have
all seen. Business has been more or
less retarded everywhere.
In order to induce our members
to assemble here for this worry pur-
pose we have obtained reduced rail-
road rates for them from the trunk
line association and also from the
Western Maryland railroad. The ter
ritory effected by this embraces New
York, New Jersey. Pennsylvania. Del
aware, Maryland and West Virginia.
We are confident Of getting the same
rates Gone and a third fareO for our
members esewhere.
Some doubt has been expressed as
to the feasibility OF our plan. We
are confident that 1t win accomplish
all that is expected of It. Our mem
bers will be entertained by a score OF
speakers selected with special view
Of the exigencies of the occasion.
President Roosevelt is writing a pa
per on commercial conditions in the
country. Representative Charles w.
Fowler. chairman OF the house com
mittee on banking and currency, viii
talk on finance. and Mr.. w. w. Fin
lay, president OF the Southern rail-
road company will address our peo-
pie on railroad prosperity. All these
gentlemen entertain optimistic opin-
ions Of future trade. And we are af-
ter others whose opinions are every
where regarded. with marked respect
on the wole we are confident that
those who come TO the convention
will leave in d much more optimistic
fran Of mind. and that before long
their business win be restored to the