The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-06-20
Threatens to Invade Peaceful
Consideration of Program by
Bankers Association.
TABLED TILL NEXT MEETING
Nominating Committee Recon-
mends New Officers-Seek Re-
lief From Tax Discrimination.
ny LOUIS I. JAI,FI,.

tior broke suddenly into the program
Of the bankcrs convention at tho af-
tcrnoon session to-day. threatening for
thirty stormy minutes to invade the
peaceful consideration of commerce and
finance with it's demand for rccogni-
tion.
The issue was brought to the front
within q few minutes after President
Hurt had called the meeting to order
when w. II. pcttus. of brakes Branch.
presented TO the body for adoption
the following paper:
Resolved, That II is the sense OF
this convention that the use of cham
pagne and intoxicating liquors at our
annual hanIuets is lowering the dig
nifty Of this representative body and
establishes "A precec!cn, that we would
be unwilling for the employees Of the
institutions represented 10 follow. and
Is totally unnecessary expense, and
that this convention hereby authorize
and request It's executive council in
the future TO refrain from furnishing
any Intoxicating beverages at any OF
It's annual banqucts"
RESOLUTIoN SURPRISE
TO MOST OF DELEGATES
The resolution took the ma jority of
the delegates by surprise. II was Of
fered under the head OF new business
tho order OF the day, and IN five min
utcs the convention had trans fcrrAd its
on the program TO the career of the
rank outsider.
Speeches for and against the adop-
ton of ;he resolution followed each
other in rapid succession as fast as the
delegates were recognized and secured
the noor. only half of the accredited
delegates were in attendance. and sew
eral speakers took the position that
no action should bc taken until a fuller
expression should he secured
Motions TO refer the resolution to
the executive council and 10 the next
annual convention gave way TO Il mo-
ton offered by l. T.. Rison Of Danville.
that the matter be tabled for disposi-
tian ~ next years meeting y viva voce
vote on this motion made II clear that
the delegates present were divided, and
iresident Hurt called for q rising bal
lot secretary Scott counted the up-
neld hands and the motion To table
was carried by q 10 TO 33 vote
Tho debate on the resolution itself
steered clear of n discussion Of the
liquor question on it's merits. NJ NJ
Morris of Glade Springs, who spoke
at some length in favor of its adoption,
pointed TO the pressing need OF the
association for more funds with which
TO carry on its educational work. ana
thought the treasury would be ma
terlaily benefited by pruning the ap-
propriation Tor champagne and wine ut
the annual dinners. These udjuncts,
he intimated We're never necessary and
could very well be dispensed with
CONVENTION WITHOUT
POWER no MAKE CHANGE
r.. B Spencer pointed out that the
present convention was without power
10 annul the arrangements that have
Already been made for this years ban
quet, which took place tonight, and
that the resolution had better be held
ior action by the next annual con-
Vcntiou. Previous 10 this Mr. Rison
mad moved as Il substitute for the mo-
tion that the resolution be adopted
that the resolution be tabled for dis
position 10y the next annual meeting.
ana President Hurt put the substitute.
II was carried by Il vote of 40 to 33
y. II. Williams. OF Chase City re-
called previous conventions at Roanoke
and other points IN the state. at which
no Intoxicating liquors were served
The dinners at these meetings, he said,
wttc as successful as those OF later
years. and he was willing that the
question should he decided by the
present convention.
Private expressions from delegates
after Adjournment were largely To the
effect that the resolution was an un-
welcome intruder. They were inclined
IL look with disfavor upon Il measure
which sought 10 invade the timc-hon-
ored dinner obserVances OF representa-
tive NirSinians to dictate what snail
and what shall not go on the table.
The doicat OF the resolution was re-
ceived with Il general feeling of re-
lief.
Among those who voted against the
motion to tabl. the resolution was
state senator Saunders, of MiddlescN,
VINO WAS one OF the foremost champions
of the enabling act when that measure
was before the upper branch of the
Legislature last winter. Mr.. Saunt>vrs
did not make speech.
REGULAR AFTERNOON
PROGRAM u TAKEN UP
The regular afternoon program pro
ceedcd with paper on agricultural
Development and Vocational Educa-
ton" by V. Walden. cashier of the First
National Bank. l'armville, and with AN
address on Taxation and business
by Dr. Douglas s. Freeman, of Rich
mond
Mr.. Walden pointed out as significant
the fact that while only go students
were pursuing agricultural courses in
tho State, the business colleges OF the
Commonwealth had coo students. Tho
excessive tendency towards business
pursuits. he urged, should he corrected
by the Incorporation of Industrial and
agricultural courses i'm the curricula
of the lower and high schools.
BANKERS ASK FOR IELIf,E'
FROM DISCRIMINATION
Declaring its belief that bank stock
is unequaily and unitniformly assessed
in this state, and that under the pres
cnt system this class of property is
made to bear an arbitrary burden Of
taxation In clear violation Of the letter
and spirit of the Constitution of Vir-
Einia. The Virginia Bankers Associa-
tion in twcnty-first annual convention
at the Chanhcrlln Hotel to-day adopt
cd unanimously resolutions asking the
Stale Tax Commission now in session M
Richmond to relieve the banking buai-
ness oi the state from the discrimna-
u"n to which 1t la now subjected
The resolution was offered by Chair.