Page 15 - Past Chair Book-Pre 2020

First . Iniiihil l ' o i i z ration 17

two-thirtv. As that gives us but a short afternoon session, 1 sug­
gest that everybody be here promptly. There are a number of
manufacturers here who are interested in our work, and we would
like to hear from some of them. Mr. E. E. Bartlett. (Applause).
M r. E. E. B a r t i f t t : Mr. President, and Gentlemen of the
Association: This comes as a surprise on eloquence untapped.
It took me some six months to screw up my courage to send out
the letter which a great many of the gentlemen have received,
and all I can say in that connection is that I am extremely glad I
sent out that letter, and do not think we shall have any serious
difficulty in that old trouble of our goods being sold on a very
close margin, so close, in fact, that it was hardly desirable for the

dealers who sold it.
While on my feet, Mr. President, I want to say one thing
which is entirely foreign to the purpose for which this Associa­
tion got together, but which, it is true, is very dear to the heart
of every manufacturer, and I think the manufacturers present will
acquiesce in what I say— that is the trouble now going on among
the printers for the eight hour day. Now, that is something that
is being fought out in the printing establishments and will ulti­
mately, if they succeed, reach our class, and I think we should
uphold those journals which are fighting their battles, and I hope
the dealers will give the manufacturers their aid.
I understand in the City of New York there are four pub­
lications holding out, three of them published by one concern, and
one other. They are fighting our battles, and they should cer­
tainly receive our support.
I thank you very kindly for calling upon me, and wish 1 had
something more interesting to say.
P resident S'ik o n o: Mr. Bartlett said he had no eloquence.
I don't know what he could say that would be more eloquent than
that he was glad he sent out that letter; nor do I know of any­
thing he could say that would be more interesting than the letter.
It is one of the things we have been trying to accomplish, and he
is one of the first to meet us in our views, and he has evidenilv
satisfied himself that it was a step in the right direction, and even
step taken in that direction makes the progress easier.
Mr. Iis B. Bailey is here. ( Applause).