The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-02-03
Dealers and Travelling Men
From Southeastern Iowa
Gather ID Keokuk and
Have Busy Session.
.AYRES NAMED PRESIDENT
Hoo Hoos Concentration, Trip
Over Dam, Luncheon and
Theatre Parties are
Features.

The seventeenth annual convention
of the Southeastern Iowa Retail Lum-
bermen formally opened in the
Elks hall this morning. The
lumbermen were welcomed to the city
by Mayor J. F. Elder. Mr.. Reaney of
Columbus Junction responded to the
mayors address. Following this the
president, |. E. Mathews, OF Oska-
loosa, made his address. The re-
PORTS of committees and officers, and
the election of officers were made,
following which BENJAMIN r. Yarda-
man of the Merchants Trade journal
of Des Moines gave lecture on "The
Art of Making Sale,''
The question box was opened at
1915. A picture of the delegates to
the convention was taken outside the
Elks building at 100 O'clock. Lunch
con at 1880, and trip over the dam
at 800 o'clock concluded the after
noon business Of the convention.
Welcomed by Mayor Elder.
Shortly after $3.50 o'clock this morn
ing the delegates met at the Elks hall
for the business session Of the con-
yention. Mayor ]. F. Elder welcom-
ed the lumbermen to the city. In his
address the mayor stated that the as
ISOLATION was great power for good
in the business world. The increase
in wealth and purchasing power OF
the people makes for a tendency to-
ward extravaganza. At present there
is movement on foot that will coun.
teract this effect, the speaker said
Efficiency and better methods In
business is the watchword at present
and associations Ike The Aone at pres
ent holding its convention was q
great power for good in this direction
Every merchant has duty toward
his community, said the speaker, and
his reward comes in proportion to his
service. The measure OF a merchant.
success depends upon the efficienc,
OF the service rendered.
Mr. Reaney's Response.
IN responding to the mayors ad
dress, Mr., Reaney thanked the mayo
and returned the compliment paid II
the association by reference to TIL,
water power development recent.
completed in this city The compile
ton OF such development was
strong Indication Of the progressive
spirit of the citizens OF the city, sal,
Mr., Reaney.
President Mathews Remarks.
In his address, President Mathew
On oskaloosa took up the presen
business conditions In this countr,
referring particularly to the condI
tons Of the lumber business. Th
Foiltical situation now, said TIL
speaker, is much more satisfactor
than it has been for some time, an
points toward an improvement il
business conditions in general. How
ever, said the speaker the year Q
1913 had been fair average veal
despite the effect of the political situs
ton.
The speaker talked for while NJ
on the effect of the mail order bus
ness upon the retail business. H
made the statement that the mail OF
ner business, particularly that in lun
per' appears. to be. declining in thi
section of the country. There wer
number of reasons for this fact, sal
the speaker Chief among them wa
lne TACT that retail men are becomin
more up to date than ever befor,
fhey are taking care of their custom
ers better and rendering a bette
service to their customers In ever
way than the mail order houses coul