The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1911-06-22

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the honor this. week of entertain
ing several hundred of North.
Cardinals most distinguished
business men delegates to the.
State Retail Merchants Conven-
tion, whose sessions are being held
in the court house, and the North
Carolina Bankers Assoc ociation,
who are holding their delibera-
tions infhe assembly hall Of the
Kanuga Lake club house.
There are several hundred vlsi-
tors in attendance upon bothcon-
ventions. Many arrived on the ]
o'clock train, Tuesday, and were
met at the depot by a reception
committee, a heavy down pour of
rain, thirty>two livery rigs and
ten automobiles. The skies soon
cleared, however, and the promises
of excellent weather conditions
during the next few days are sat-
isfactory.
The first session of the Mer-
chants was held in the court house
Tuesday night at 8 80. About rs
delegates were present and a fair
sprinkling of Hendersonville peo-
pie. The meetings are open to
the public and the ladies are urg-
ed to attend them.
Tuesday Nights Session.
The convention was called to or
der by President Edgar E.
Broughton Of Raleigh. DIR. r. A..
Childs, president of the Peoples
National Bank, invoked the di-.
vine blessing upon the gathering
Z Mr.. Michael Schenck intreduc-
ed the speakers who welcomed
the. merchants to Hendersonyille,
Hon. r Staton ayo4, znaael
an informal and very interesting
address of welcome on behalf of
the cityss Col. S. v. Piekens, the
/" Nestor of the Hendersonville1
Bar" spoke for the local associa-
ton. Hon. W. A. Smith, deliver
ed short but stirring address of
sincere welcome on behalf of the
Commercial Clubh
DIR. Charles Lee Smith of Raj
eigh, responded to the addresses.
Mr.. Smith told something of the
Importance and dignity of the
merchant, recited some of the
evils the association had and was
now engaged in correcting and of
the Importance to the community
of the Association.
Committees were appointed. and
the convention adjourned until
ten O'Clock Wednesday morning.
Wednesday Morning.
This mornings session was
called to order by President
Broughton. The reports of the
State officers were read and show
ed an encouraging growth in
membership. State Organizer /
Heller has organized 53 new locals
with membership Of Gil. There
are now 101 branches In the State
with a membership of 2,026 mem;
bers. The presidents report
on the successful
result of the State organization s
fight for lower freight rates to
Winston-Salem and Durham and /
hoped to see the entire state
eventually receive the benefit Of
his reduction. Reports of local T
associations were read, followed
sy interesting discussions. Among
he most interesting were Mr.
Nichols story of Ashe-
ville's work, not only forlits mem
oers but for the community at
arge.
II. Taylor Rogers, Archibald
Nichols and DIR. Chas. Lee Smith
we're appointed a special corn
nittee to handle alleged extor-
;ionate freight and express rates
Increases. They will present the
natter to the North Carolina Cor
ooration Commission and through
hat body to the Interstate Com {
nerce Commission.
Greetings were sent to the
Bankers Convention at Kanuga
lake, after which the convention
adjourned to 2:30
Afternoon Session.
AT this afternoon session the re-
bort of the auditing committee
vas received and an interesting
address listened to from W. +.
EIler, State Organizer. This was
followed BY a general discussion {
md adjournment.
At four o'clock ears were taken