Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-05-14
IN
SESSION AT GRAND
GOV. SMITH, MAYOR MADDOX
AND OTHERS WELCOME THE
Observation-Disclosures RE-
SPONSE MADE.

TeIegraphers from all sections or the
limited States and Canada, with most OF
their friends, thronged the Grand opera
house on Monday night in attehoahce
upon the first open session of the nation
al convention of the Order of Railway
Telegraphers. There were nine addresses
from some of the most distinguished MEM
bers of the order and the best known
citizens of Atlanta and the state.
The large audience of telegraphers and
their friends enjoyed most fully the Wig
orous and timely addresses, which were
interspersed with music On the stage
were seated Governor Hoke Smith, Mayor
Robert F. Maddox, Lawson Lamar, II. b.
Perham, J. A. Newman, T. NJ. Pierson, d.
Campbell. ]. J. Dermody, Jerome Jones,
c. w. Ball, D. G. Ramsey and A. ID.
Thurston.
The telegraphers were cordially well
coined to the city and state by the chief
executives of both the city and state and
by the leaders of the labor organizations.
The Introductory prayer of the evening
was delivered by Rev. H. A. Atkinson.
pastor of the Congregational church.
Lawson Lamar, the popular and well
known young local attorney, presided
gracefully over the meeting and welcomed
the visiting convention in behalf of the
Dixie Twin Order Telegraphers' club.
Gov. Smith Speaks
In welcoming the convention in behalf
of the people of Georgia, Governor Smith
heartily and vigorously approved of the
labor union organizations and their work
to relieve the masses, referring to the
Order of Railway Telegraphers as one
of the most important of the labor unions
in this great work. He stressed the i'm
portance of the work of the railway tele-
grapher and the heavy responsibility that
rests upon him and the fact that the rail-
roads should adequately remunerate these
important servants. Governor Smiths
utterances were enthusiastically ap-
plauded.
Mayor Robert F. Maddox welcomed in
most happy fashion the visiting tele-
graphers to the city. He had many pleas
ing and gracious statements about the
good work being accomplished by the la
Dor organizations in the city, and he ex-
tended a warm welcome to the members
of the telegraphers assembled from dis
tant points to enjoy the hospitality of At
lanta.
Labor Extends Welcome
The witty sallies of Jerome Jones, who
welcomed the convention as representa-
tive of the organized labor of Atlanta,
pleased the audience greatly. Mr.. Jones
said that there were about forty labor
unions in Atlanta with an approximate
membership of 1900, and he added that
capital and labor here were on the very
best of terms. He was followed by Ben
Lee Smith, who represented the Georgia
Federation of Labor, and a general re-
Spouse to these speeches was given by A.
D. Thurston. the Daddy of the Tele-
graphers," who spoke with special ear
nestness.
The concluding speech of the evening
was made by Rev. E. Dean Fleetwood,
pastor of the Universalist church, upon
Church and Labor" Mr.. Ellenwood's
brief address was most helpful in it's
endeavor to show that the church owed
it's foundation to laboring men. To wor-
ship God is to serve humanity, said he,
which means that we must grapple with
life as 1t is, a work which the Order of
Railway Telegraphers has we'll under
taken.
With the hearty approval Of the regu-
lar Order of Railway Telegraphers, the
ladies who are in attendance upon the
national convention here met at the Pied
mont hotel convention hall on Thursday
morning and began the work of perfecting
a national organization of a ladies' auxil-
larry to that order.
The local Ladies' Auxiliary to the Typo
graphical union and also that of the
Brotherhood Railway Trainmen met with
the ladies of the Order of Railway Teleg
raphers in a fraternal meeting, from
which the new organization received val
liable aid and suggestions. 1t is expected
that the work Of organization will require
all of Friday for completion.
The meeting began at 1880 o'clock on
Thursday morning. a committee appoint
ed by the Order of Railway Telegraphers
having first considered the matter of the
organization OF a ladies' auxiliary and
having given their approval to the under
taking.
The constitution and bylaws were dis
cussed and adopted and further details Of
organization were considered, especially
the naming of the various committees
necessary The officers of the national
auxiliary will be elected on Friday morn
ing, and the final details of organization
completed.
The barbecue and dance given the teleg-
raphers at Lithia Springs on Wednesday
afternoon and night was a great success
and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. There
was an abundant supply of pit-cooked
barbecue and the large ball room was
thronged with dancers after the barbecue
was over.
The national officers of the Order of
Railway Telegraphers will be elected on
Friday, the current opinion being that no
changes in the present list of officers will
be made. hot fight is on for the next
national convention in 1911, Toronto, Little
Rock, New York and Dayton being num-
bered among the contestants. Little Rock
is especially aggressive in the fight, as is
Toronto. The convention VIII likely go
to one of these two cities.