The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-15
I'M MESSAGE TO SECRETARY BRYAN
GOVERNOR JOHNSON REFUSES VETO !.
OF Cal IFORNIA. ALIEN LAND Bill.
MERCHANTS HEAR
STATE TAX LAWS
SCORED IN SPEECH
CONVENTION OPENS IN LYNCH
BURG WITH NEARLY TWO
HUNDRED DELEGATES.

(Speci alto The Richmond virginian.)
LYNCHBURG. VA May 1.-THE
ninth annual convention Of the Re-
tail Merchants Association OF Virginia
began. with a business session this
morning in the assembly hall at the
new VirRinian. hotel, with delegates
in attendance from all of the leading
cities and towns Of the State.
The convention will be in session
until tomorrow morning, when the re-
ports will be submitted by the COM
mittees and the election Of officers
and time and place for the next meet
ing selected.
The convection was called to order
this morning. at 1880. o'clock by
President Samuel Cohen. OF Rich
mond, and prayer was offered by
Rev. DR. Wallace r. Palmer, pastor
OF Westminster Presbyterian church
"a stirring address was delivered by
Randolph Harrison, Of this city. In
which he extended to the delegates
and visitors warm and hearty wei
come to Lynchburg His talk was
directed along a line which was OF
particular interest to retail merchants
and he was applauded literally as he
took his seat. The response was to
, have been delivered by Leon c. Steel.
Of Norfolk. but owing to pressure OF
other business he was not able to De
present and Robert II. Angel, OF Roa-
noke, made pleasing talk In behalf
OF the delegates
Mr.. Cohen's address was couched
| in terms which Appropriately fitted his
administration during the past year,
| and he indicated that his work spoke
| for itself, and that the State associa-
ton had moved along with the steps
| OF progress and had accomplish
many things of note which rebound
ed to the credit of the organization.
| Secretary w. A. Clark, Jr.. OF, Rich
mond. read his report OF the years
work, and ALSO the reports OF the
fSt4ts treasurer.
The following committees were APP
! Cfe6entials-Frank II. Almond.
chairman: r. r. Willis, Harry 8.
Hirsh. Max Petsold and Floyd l.
knight. all of Lynchburg.
Rules and Order-C. T. Jennings.
fchairman, of Roanoke: Maurice
Brandt, Of Portsmouth; J. Med. Adair.
Of Lexington; w. A. Peasants. of
Hampton; H. White. Of Alexandria
/ Northumberland w. thinner. OF
Petersburg, chairman: r. X. Ander-
son, of Nelson county; r. II. .Angei,
OF Roanoke; A. B. Jarvis, OF Norfoik
d. p. Paul. Of Norfolk.
The report OF the committee OF
credentials was read by Secretary
Clark and showed that there were
about ITO delegates and visitors In
attendance upon the convention. Al
\ the request OF President Cohen. Nor
man H. johnson was asked to deliver
his talk on session instead OF this
| his tank on ''rhe Strength and Weak.
ness Of the Merchants Association a.
afternoon. Mr.. johnson, who IL editor
OF the, Merchants Journal and Com,
merce OF Richmond. formerly Of
Lynchburg, dealt with his subject in
comprehensive manner. pointing ou
the weak spots. In organization work
and showing how the association
could work 10, batter advantage. Tht
speaker referred to taxation in vir
Einia. and said he thought the mer
chantile interests In Virginia were
badly imposed upon by the State IL
the matter OF being taxed. The dele
gates tonight attended Z banquet a
the virginian hotel.