The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-19
NO DIRECT VOTE
BYP|AN0 DEALERS
But Convention Senti-
ment Was Against
Guessing Contests.
SUSTAIN CHAIR
AFTER APPEAL
President Droop's Ruling, Which
Kept New Members From vot-
ing, Upheld, This Being Test
of Strength on Advertis-
ing scheme-River
Trip To-Day.

/ Sounding the cali for a crusade
against guessing contests" the ina
session OF the National Association OF
Piano Dealers yesterday morning was
a tense parliamentary battle between
the advocates and opponents Of such
enterprises. Through the oversight ot
the presiding officer, no final vote on
the proposition was recorded on the
| minutes of the body. but a prenonder-
ance OF evidence must lead to the con-
ciusion that the sentiment of the yot-
ing members present was decisiyely
against guessing contests" The only
vote taken on the matter was on a
motion to order tho previous question,
which carried by vote of 100 to 81.
operating TO cut of all debate.
Vital Question to Trade.
The question OF guessing contests.
In the piano business Is Of vital In
terest to the public air over the coun-
try. In these contests. there are cer-
tain problems to be guessed or worked
out, and the winners get certificates,
which are supposed to work as dis
count OF s15 to 800 toward the pur-
chase OF piano from certain dealer.
sometimes such certificates arc equi-
valent to discounts, while in others
they arc the instrumentalities OF fraud
and deceit. The advocates of the con-
tests claim that they only serve to
cut OFF the profit OF some third per-
son negotiating between the dealer and
the customer: that the prices of piano
contest houses are lower than those of
the noncontest houses; that there Is
little fraud. There are vehement
champions on both sides. The oppon
ents of such contests say there is too
much fraud in them. and that they
undermine the public confidence In the
piano trade.
Immediately after adjournment had
taken place the supporters .of guess
Ing contests claimed that the vote
taken was not against such contests.
Just that far the technical record OF
the meeting will sustain them. Writ
ten on the brief held by the oppon-
ents OF the contest is the fact that
the supporters took care not to RATS.
the question until the meeting was
over. Furthermore. there was a real
test vote-that being on an appeal
from President Droop. who ruled out
certain persons who have applied for
admission. but have not yet been
formally elected in compliance with
the mandate of the constitution of the
association.
Attacks Decixion.
The presidents decision was bitter
ly attacked by Philip Woerlein, of
New Orleans. leader of the procontest
forces. who characterized President
Droop as "autocratic' and arbitrary.
me question was test OF the
strength of both sides, and by. a vote
of so n 40 bo 81
was sustained. thus according a vic
tory to the anticontest wing OF tho
Without a dissenting voice. the as
sociation declared itself heartily in |
favor of the establishment of Fed
eral merchant marine by Congress.
thus endorsing the recommendations |
made by President Droop in his an
nual address. The desirability of sucn
action was so patent to the members
that there was no discussion at all.
The resolution passed as to guess
Ing contests" was that deferred from
the last convention. 1t is: Resolved,
That this association discountenance
the use of certificates in CONDUCTING
special sales and request its members
to aid in the crusade against the use
of sales issuing such certificates
AS soon as the session was called
to order yesterday. President Droop
that the matter about to
come up was one of supreme import
ance to the association. He pointed
out that only those members entitled
by the constitution could vote in the
guessing contest" matter. Such a
ruling eliminated those who applied
for admission at this session or the y
and paid the fees. whose
names had not been acted on upon by
the membership committee.
Philip Woerleln. of New Orleans an
sx-president Of the association, inme-
iiately voiced vigorous protest.
This decision" he shouted. is con-
trary to precedent. 1t is arbitrary and
and appeal from It,"
Droop Takes Floor.
+ Calling Percy S. Foster to the chair.
President Droop took the floor of the
II submit that my de-
,ision is in accord with the constitu-
Ion. There are about forty persons
lere whose names have not been acted \
lpon by the membership committee.
rhe constitution says. Nominations
or membership shall be referred to
he membership committee. the assent
If a majority OF which is necessary
or election The committee has not i
.cted on these men, and they are not
untitled to vote ", H. Currier, One
II the life vice-presidents of the ns-
supported the view OF the
hair. AEel]
With Mr.. Woerlein uttering protest {
.fter protest, accusing the admnistra-
ion OF "carelessness," and charging
hat the constitutional technicalities
lad been invoked only for this espe-
ial matter. an appeal was taken from
he ruling. resulting In a vote Of 60 I
p AZ in favor of sustaining the ruling
Z President Droop as to the pursons
Iot passed upon by the membership
ommittee, Il la4 @ Is
BY a standing. vote of 81 TO Ao,Sthe II
Voerlein demanded a roll call for a
lore accurate vote, This consumed
luch time, but ended in d votnIof 100 .