The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-15
RETAIL MERCHANTS
MEET AT LYNCHBURG
Ninth Annual Convention of Vir-
GINA Association Now
in Session.
Especial to The Ti,nes.D,sn,tc,t

Especial to The Times Dispatch
i-ynchburg. Via. May lt-'rhc ninth
annual convention OF the Retail Mer-
chants Association of Virginia began
WIN business session this morning
IN the assembly hall at tho new Vir-
ginian Hotel. and with delegates in
attendance from all OF the leading cities
ana towns OF the State The conyen-
ton VIII be I'm session until tomorrow
morning. when the reports will be sub
mltted by the committees and the cleo
ton of officers and time and place for
the next meeting selected
me convention was called TO order
TINS morning at 1890 O'clock by presi-
dent samuel Cohen. OF Richmond. and
prayer was offered by Rev. wallace r.
rainier pastor of Westminster Pres
byterian Church. following which n
stirring address was delivered bv RAN
doiph Harrison, OF this city In which
ne extended TO the delegates and wish
tors warm welcome TO Lynchburg
HIS talk was directed along q line
which was OF particular interest to re-
tail merchants. and ho was applauded
literally as he took his seat The re-
spouse was TO have been delivered bv
Leon I. steele. OF Norfolk but owing
10 pressure OF other business he was
not abie TO be present. and Robert H.
Nnsen' OF Roanoke. made pleasing
Talk In behalf of the delegates
Mr.. Cohens address WAS couched i'm
terms which appropriately fitted his
administration during the past year.
ana he indicated. and his work spoke
Tor itself that the State associa-
tlon hhd moved along with the steps
of progress ana had Accommodated many
things OF note which redounded TO tho
credit OF the organization Secretary
w. "A. clark. Jr., OF Richmond, read his
report OF the years work, and also the
report of the State treasurer
fnll
pointed:
man; p T. Willis. Harry s. Hirsh. Max
Petzold and Floyd L. knight, all OF
Lynchburg.
Rules and Order-C. T. Jennings.
Portsmouth: J. Med Adair, Lexington:
/ w. a. Peasants. Hampton. and H.
White. of Alexandria
Resolutions W. Simmer, r. *. An
derson. Nelson County; r. II. Angel.
, Roanoke: a. y. Jarvis Norfolk. and ID,
Il. Paul. Norfolk.
The report of the Committee on Gre
dentials was read by Secretary Clark.
and showed that there were about no
delegates and visitors in attendance
upon the convention. Frank H. AL
mond. Of this city asked that a com
mittee be appointed 10 deal with the
, loan shark proposition and present ar.
gument bearing upon this evil He
asked that two members Of the com
nittee be selected from the local asso-
citation This motion will he brought
up at a later session
President Cohen called attention to
the fact that there was n question hoy
ana he wanted the delegates to feel
free to make use of it and express
tn EN- selves Several delegates ovniled
themselves OF this opportunity TO ask
questions on anything for the good of
/ the association or mercantile affairs
AT the request OF President Cohen.
Norman II. Johnson was asked to de-
liver his talk on The Strength and
Weakness OF the Merchants Associa-
ton" at the morning session instead
OF this afternoon. Mr.. Johnson who
is editor of the Merchants Journal of
Commerce, OF Richmond. formerly of
Lynchburg, dealt with his subject in
a comprehensive manner pointing out
inc weak spots in organization work
and showing how the association could
work 10 better advantage
a the afternoon session the local as
sociations made reports. nearly all
showing the work in good condition.
NJ. Umstader. of Norfolk. the recog-
nizcd father of the State association.
telegraphed the convention regrets nj
his inability To be present this being
The first convention he had missed. Fol
lowing this. he was elected an honorary
member of the association for life.
IN a talk President Cohen attacked
credit bureaus declaring the associa-
tons work was higher than collecting
bad debts. Early adjournment was
taken for an automobile ride over the
city, the convention being guests of the
local board OF trade
Tonight DR. Douglas Freeman spoke
nj an Informal banquet on taxation.
| The banquet. held AT the NirGinian, was
presided over by John l.. Lee as toast
. master
/ VICTORY FOR WOMEN