Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1915-05-02
Mrs. J. A. Sage Opens Three Day Session of Dis
 trict Organization.
MRS. RUTHERFORD
 MAKES AN ADDRESS
Responds to Welcome by Mrs. w. C.. WatSOn-Littlp Folk Discuss PrOIli. bitiOn and Cigarettes Religious
 Work Today.

An attendance which filled the spacious Lakeside Methodist church last night was presented at the opening session of the annual dis trict convention of the Women's Christian Temperance union.
 From all the counties, and from in the district. there were delegates in attendance. Mrs. Minnie U. Rutherford, state president of the organization, was present, from her home at Magazine, and delivered the response to the address of welcome, which was delivered by Mrs. W. C.. Watson of this city The session was opened with a devotional service led by Mrs. J. A. Sage.
 The only feature of the session last evening, outside the formal opening of the convention, was. the speaking contest conducted by the Loyal Temperance Legion, of which Mrs. J.. G. Taylor is president and in charge. The contest was divided into two parts, one dealing with prohibit tion and the other with cigarettes, and twelve boys and girls, ranging in age from z to 12 years, participated. Each of the little folks handled his or her subject in admirable style, and it was difficult for the judges to de- eide on the winners However, the gold medals were awarded to Little Miss Elizabeth Burks and Master Edwin Ives.
 The session today will be devoted exclusively to the religious part of the work, and will be confined to the devotional exercises at the Lake side Methodist church, starting at il o'clock this forenoon. Rev. Marion Nelson Waldrip, the pastor of the charge, will be in charge or the services, and Mrs. Minnie U. Ruther- ford, state president of the organiza- ton. will occupy the pulpit, speak ing on the subject, "The Two Great nestroyers," referring to alcoholic liquors and cigarettes.
 In the evening at 8 o'clock, Mrs. Rutherford will deliver an address at the First Christian church.
 Many Delegates Expected Today.
 It is expected many more dele gates to the convention will reach the city this morning, in time to participate in today's session In addition. the residents of the city geenrally are expected to be in at tendance, to hear Mrs. Rutherford, who is widely known as a speaker of market talent, and an extremely earnest and Dittiless worker against alcohol and cigarettes.
 . The business session of the con- vention will be held tomorrow, when the days program will be divided into two sessions, forenoon ana ar- ternoon, both hel dat the Lakeside Methodist church, Mrs. T. Y. Mur- phy. district president of the organl- zation, will also have'.a a place on the year. and Mrs. J. M. Sowards, who is the local president of the organi- zation, will also have o place on the program, as will also delegates from other locals in this district.
 Local women have completed ar arrangements to serve the delegates and others in attendance at Mondays session, with a luncheon at noon Monday. The meeting will, therefore, be practically one continuous ,ses- sion from 9 a. m. until the final benediction, with what might be termed "recess," during which the luncheon will be enjoyed.