The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-09-20

Facing the eight hundred or more
H.,erntes To the American institute
~ Ranking at it's concluding session
Yesterday afternoon, and JUST AT the
moment when the convention was
about to launch into the election OF
| officers, President Byron w. Moser' OF
81, Louis. suddenly relaxed his grasp
on the table behind which he was
standing and sank TO the floor in
dead faint
The presidents Illness came without
warning, and for momentary pefi"u
considerable confusion ensued,
number of palitd-faced DELEGATES
fearing that death had INVADED the
assemb,age.. starting toward the res-
frum. some shouting instructions 10
those on the rostrum. Those near
est President Moser lifted h!r- from
fna- rsuu-- s->ts-ears+-.4 A44a4-4 ato-tne
ante-roorn. white Eice-President Har-
ry V. Haynes. OF Washington. quick
ly took charge of the sttsation. com
manding the excited delegates II re-
surne their seats. and proceeded>ss m
ly with the order of business, as
though nothing had happened
Evidences OF Esteem
President Moser was later taken 10
his room, and the announcements was
made from the stage that he was
getting along all right, and was
greeted with prolonged cheering.
Then the convention adopted resolu-
ttons appreciattve OF his services the
past year and appointed special
COMMITTEES 10 transport huge bouquet
of flowers, which adorned the stage,
to his room.
The situation was dramatic in the
extreme. The convention was In the
throes Of voting on the question or
whether the lone representative from.
Omaha chapter. who had been com
pei,ed to leave for home before the
meeting began. had the right to Ieave
his proxy and the controversy had
waxea warm, considerable diplomacy
being required TO keep the delegates
from becoming unruiy in their de-
sire TO get into the debate. President
Meser. gaval in hand. stood behind
Ahe table throughout the proceedings.
pounding for order and ruling the
gathering with the grace and skill
of seasoned pariiamentartan. \
member of the New York delegation
demanded recognition. ''Mr. Presi-
dent" he said Il move" He got
no further President Moser released
his hold on gavel and table and
dropped suddenly to the floor despite
the efforts of those nearest to sus-
tain him.
The close, heavy air of the audi
torium, surcharged with tobacco
smoke. il was said by a physician
called 20 attend him. was RESPONSE
bile for Mr.. Moser's fainting spell. He
had recovered sufficiently last night
TO be around the lobby. Mrs. Moser
who lis with him. did not know of the
dllness OF her husband until long after
~ {fnv nj all
Elects New OncerA
The convention adjourned sine die
yesterday afternoon with the election
oil oficers and the choice of Dallas
Texas, as the next place of meeting.
Only two names were placed In nomi-
nation for the presidency--Mr. Drehr
and Peter j. SIach, of Cieveiand--but
before the ballot was counted Mr..
E1ach's name was withdrawn by CIeve-
land and Mr.. Dreh's nomination made
unanimous.
when Invitations from cities bidding
for the next convention were called
for. the chairman of the Dallas chap
ter introduced Congressman Haddon w.
Summers who made a delightful
speech and one which kept the dele
gates In good humor with its homely
wit
The delegates had lot of quiet fun
out of Major r. L. wilcox, who pre-
scented an invitation from Hartford
The Texan had consumed so much time
that Major Wilcox raced through with
his remarks in an endeavor to cut
them short and frequently tripped In
his dates. inviting the Convention of
1914, 1919. 1892" and so on. to come
to Hartford. and at each fresh break
the delegates laughed more uproari-
ously. For time the. major did not
see the Joke, but finally caught the
spirit of the fun, and In concluding
said: with marked emphasis and a pro-
found bow. that Hartford wants the
convention OF 1914" Major Wilcox. a
prominent banker of Hartford, Is com
mandant Of the Governors Foot
Guards has visited Richmond, and has
been royal host to the Richmond
Blues on the occasions of their visits
to New England
CONTINUED on Third Page.y