BUSINESS SESSION
Held on Third Day
(Note: It was planned that this session should be held during the afternoon of the third day, after the trip through Dr. Morris's estate. However, while the members were exploring deep in a wooded portion of Merribrooke, a sudden downpour of rain occurred. The nearest shelter was found to be the barn, where the members agreed that the following session should be held, since it was not possible to reach the main house. All members were standing during the session, including the reporter who wrote with the notebook resting against one of Dr. Morris's cars.)
Session called to order by President Weber.
DR. SMITH: There should be added to the by-laws the following amendment:
ARTICLE V. Members all be sent a notification of annual dues at the time they are due, and if not paid within two months thereafter they shall be sent a second notice, telling them that they are not in good standing on account of non-payment of dues, and are not entitled to receive the annual report.
At the end of thirty days from the sending of the second notice, a third notice shall be sent, notifying such members that unless dues are paid within ten days from receipt of this notice, their names will be dropped from the rolls for non-payment of dues.
The President: The motion has been seconded; all in favor please signify by saying "Aye."
(Vote carried unanimously).
The Secretary: The association should have a fiscal year. Shall we discuss this or will the president authorize the secretary and the treasurer to agree upon a date most convenient to them for the beginning of the fiscal year?
MR. REED: I move that we leave this to the discretion of the secretary and the treasurer.
THE PRESIDENT: All in favor of the motion, please signify.
(Voted as presented).
THE SECRETARY: I move that combination membership in the Association with subscription to the American Nut Journal be $4.50, a deduction of 25 cents each by the Association and the Journal.
THE PRESIDENT: All in favor of the motion please so indicate.
(Motion carried).
THE SECRETARY: The next thing is to elect new officers.
THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Reed will please read the report of the Committee on
Nominations.
MR. REED: The making of this report was one of both great pleasure and of extreme regret. Since Dr. Deming has found that it will not be possible for him to continue as secretary, the following names are offered:
President—Harry R. Weber.
Vice-President—Mrs. W. D. Ellwanger.
Secretary—Mrs. B. W. Gahn.
Treasurer—H. J. Hilliard.
THE PRESIDENT: Are there any exceptions to this? Will those who are in favor please so state?
(Election carried unanimously).
DR. SMITH: Dr. Deming's retiring from the secretaryship is a matter which all old-timers will regret, and I want to move that this association record in its proceedings the fullest appreciation of his great and faithful service in helping to carry the organization through so many years. I do not know what we would have done without his service and it is with great regret that we see him step aside.
(Motion seconded and unanimously carried).
DR. DEMING: I wish to express my gratitude to the members for their kindness, but I also wish to say that although I have stepped aside, I have not entirely passed away. I am still with you and I shall always give the association the best of my efforts in whatever way they may be needed; its interests shall always be dear to me.
DR. MORRIS: It seems to me that we have an object lesson here. Excepting for Dr. Deming's efforts I doubt whether this organization could have held together and worked harmoniously during its years of existence. He has been the key-note of the work with which others have helped, and we have been successful because of concerted work on the part of a number of men who are looking forward to the great future of this new agriculture, this new source of agriculture for the entire world, wherein we are going to be able to depend upon the sub-soil for our sustenance. It is through untiring work and self sacrifice that those who are so interested in this work have been able to work as a mass unit. I do not know of anything more that I could say.
THE PRESIDENT: I am sure that we all regret to see Dr. Deming step aside, but we will still have him with us and I am very sure that he will do all possible for the good of the association always.
DR. DEMING: I stated a few moments ago that although I had stepped aside I had not passed away; but since then I have changed my mind. I believe that I have entirely passed away.
DR. SMITH: I move a resolution of great appreciation for Dr. Morris's and Mrs. Morris's hospitality to us, and for enabling us to enjoy the beautiful day we have had here.
(Motion seconded and unanimously passed).
THE PRESIDENT: Dr. Morris, you now have notice of the official action of the association in their desire to thank you.
DR. MORRIS: I thank you, but I must say that I have had very little to do with it; I may have made the suggestion, but the women always do all of the work and in this case my wife and daughters have done it all.
THE PRESIDENT: We have not yet decided on the place for our next convention. I would like to have your ideas.
DR. MORRIS: I had three ideas as to that; one is to go to Mr. Riehl's place next year. Prof. Colby said that if we should, he would assume the responsibility of the committee on arrangements. We are first to ask Mr. Riehl whether it would be in accordance with his ideas and wishes.
The second idea is this. We saw yesterday only a small part of Mr. Bixby's exhibit, one of the finest collections in the world. We should have to spend more than a day there to see it satisfactorily. In connection with a visit to the Hick's nurseries, and others in the vicinity, it would take more than a day.
The third idea is to go again to Lancaster to see Mr. Jones' nursery and other things in that vicinity. It seems to me that we must make a choice between these three.
MR. JONES: I would be very glad to have you come to Lancaster.
DR. MORRIS: The objection to that is that Mr. Riehl is now 86 years of age. In view of that our first choice ought to be Mr. Riehl's place.
DR. SMITH: I move that, if it prove acceptable to Mr. Riehl, we meet in western Illinois.
MR. JONES: Why not add, "If that is not satisfactory, to go to
Lancaster?"
DR. MORRIS: We should go back to Long Island next year and complete what we did not see this year, if we do not go to Mr. Riehl's.
THE SECRETARY: The Secretary has received from the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce an invitation worded with rather more cordiality than usual to hold our next convention in St. Louis. They offer to provide a meeting place, speakers, publicity, to do all except give the cash prizes and entertainment. I do not know exactly how far St. Louis is from Alton, but I understand it is one hour's ride by rail.
MR. REED: We could also see the Botanical Garden and the collection of large trees.
THE PRESIDENT: I think the sentiment is in favor of the western meeting.
We can easily get to Mr. Riehl's place from St. Louis.
MR. REED: It is 22 miles from St. Louis to Alton, and there you can change and go to Mr. Riehl's. I think it best to go to St. Louis for the convention and to take a day at Mr. Riehl's place.
THE SECRETARY: As to the date we would not be able to decide upon that without first consulting Mr. Riehl and learning the time convenient for him. However, we should express our opinion as to the best time, approximately.
MR. REED: I believe it would be to the advantage of the organization to go there at a time when the nuts are on the trees. We have seen the species and varieties in bearing, but we have not seen a paying orchard ready for harvest. I believe we should have the meeting about September 10, or a little later.
THE PRESIDENT: Then we will move that the convention next year be held at St. Louis on September 10, or a little later as may be decided by the Executive Committee after consultation with Mr. Riehl.
(Motion put, voted and carried).
DR. MORRIS: Another important matter is in regard to publicity. For this meeting I have sent notes to about 15 different publications, expecting that they would give us notices. Not a single one of them gave us notices. This morning one of the reporters called me and said he was sorry he could not be here as he had an important meeting to attend. He wanted to know what the Northern Nut Growers' Association was like, if it was something like the Tree Planting Association. The fact is that people do not understand, as yet, the meaning of this association or its purpose. They do not realize that California sends 25,000 tons of walnuts to market, worth millions of dollars, and 10,000 tons of almonds this year. They don't realize that down in Georgia, in the poor, puny pinewoods where men had a hard time to make a living at one time, they are now riding around in limousines because they are growing nuts. They do not realize the enormous social and economic importance and consequence of work of the nut growers of today in the part that they play in the agriculture of the world for tomorrow. The newspapers would rather send some representative to see a prince fall down with his horse. But I know from mutual acquaintances that the Prince would rather be with us here today at this meeting than to be listening to a thousand and one nonentities and taking part in conversations with no future meaning. I believe that if I had thought about inviting him in time I should have had him out here. I have had experience with members of royalty before and I know what serious-minded people they are.
The next subject discussed was that of dropping members who are not in general good standing. After the discussion the decision stood that no action could be taken unless specific charges against the member were presented and proven true.
Another matter discussed was that of compensation to Mrs. Gahn for doing secretarial work for the association. It was voted by those present that she should be compensated, but the amount of compensation should be left to the decision of the Executive Committee.
The President adjourned the session sine die, at 4 p. m.
Because of lack of time, several papers were not read. These are included herewith: