THE CHAIR: What further business is there before the Association?

MR. W. F. WHITE: We have been so hospitably received and so royally entertained throughout our visit here. in Toledo that it has given each of us great pleasure. I regretted last night that we did not have an opportunity to express our appreciation of the warm welcome and hospitality extended to us; and I am very glad that this opportunity is offered to-day, and that we have been able to show in some lasting form our appreciation of the kind and generous treatment meted out to us. We have greatly enjoyed our stay here in Toledo. I am reminded of the conundrum about a lawyer, which I possibly can speak of here, because maybe none of us are lawyers. The question has been asked, "What does a lawyer do after he dies?" And after the party interrogated gives it up the interlocutor says, "He lies still!" So in our coming here to Toledo, we have enjoyed our stay so much that we would like to stay longer, feeling possibly that our royal entertainers might become confirmed in the habit of taking care of us, and we should be equally confirmed in the habit of enjoying our stay here and of showing our appreciation in some substantial manner.

We are all of one family in an electric light way. I could tell you a little story in that connection, of a beautiful old chicken who had been around the world for years, and was marching around the back yard in all her finery of white feathers, and holding her head high in the air. After awhile she laid an orange; and a little chicken, coming along after her, thought that was a little out of the ordinary, and looking around to the other little chickens in the back yard, while surveying the orange with great pleasure, said: "Look at the orange marma-laid!" So, while we can not look to Mr. McLean, or the city of Toledo, or the Toledo Traction Company as "Mama," or "Papa," still we can look to them with equal pride, with the little chicken, and take greater pleasure in the entertainment which they have given us, both the Toledo Traction Company and their representatives individually, and the city of Toledo, and in expressing our appreciation to them, one and all, of the entertainment and hospitality which has been extended. (Applause.)

THE CHAIR: I believe there was a Committee appointed yesterday to determine in regard to the salary of the Secretary. Is the Committee now ready to report?

MR. MCLEAN: As I understand it, the recommendation of the Committee is to submit for your consideration a recommendation that the sum of one hundred dollars be allowed for the Secretary as special compensation for his valuable services-one hundred dollars per year, commencing with the present time.

MR. GWYNN: I move that the recommendation of the Committee be approved; that is, that the Secretary be allowed one hundred dollars per year salary.

Carried.

THE CHAIR: What further business is there before the Association? The stenographer has suggested that Mr. White, of Cincinnati, be made a Committee in connection with himself to look after the printing of these proceedings. He says he would like to have some one in the city where he resides to confer with in regard to that matter. Will you accept that, Mr. White?

MR. W. F. WHITE: Yes, sir.

THE CHAIR: It has been moved and seconded that Mr. White be appointed a Committee to assist the stenographer in preparing transcript of proceedings for publication. .

Carried.

THE CHAIR: I am requested by Mr. McLean to announce that the party for the excursion this afternoon will leave the hotel promptly at 1:45 P. M. sharp, in order to take car on Madison street. This car makes connections with the other cars and it is unnecessary to say, as I informed you last night, that we must be there to take the car promptly.

MR. MCLEAN: We intend to take you up the West Side, and stop at the Edward Ford Plate Glass Works, affording you ample time to visit the plant there. It will probably take two hours and a half for the journey from the hotel and return.

MR. GWYNN: I would like to ask if our roll of membership has been increased; if so, at what ratio this year?

THE CHAIR: Two new members were taken in at the opening of this meeting. I would state, in regard to the testimonial to Mr. McLean, that arrangements have been made for the engraving of the same; the time was not sufficient to permit of that this morning.

(The following inscription was subsequently engraved upon the loving cup:

ΤΟ

THOMAS H. MCLEAN

FROM THE OHIO ELECTRIC LIGHT ASSOCIATION
AND THEIR GUESTS,

Aug 14, 15, 16, 1900,
TOLEDO, O.

MR. BECHTEL: I was at the telephone when you elected officers, and when I came back was informed that I was elected President. That seems to me as a very great compliment to so new a member. I don't believe in drones. I believe in every body doing his part; for the success of the Association depends upon individual effort for the good of all. I am willing to do my part. I don't suppose I will do as well as my predecessor.

MR. GASKILL: No trouble about that.

MR. BECHTEL: I appreciate the honor, I assure you, and accept it as a courtesy to the Company, rather than to the individual. (Applause.)

CHAIRMAN GASKILL: I would announce for the benefit of the new officers, that the constitution provides that officers-elect take their positions 30 days after the annual meeting. I presume that is to give them ample time to prepare for the important duties that they are expected to assume.

And now at the closing of this meeting, I desire again to thank the members of the Association and their friends for the very cordial support that they have given the officers during the past year in the administration of their duties. We have never called upon any member to do anything which he has not promptly done. I bespeak for the new officers the same cooperation. I trust you will extend it to them, and by that means we will make the Association even more beneficial than it has been in the past.

As to the matter of getting in new members, there are about 130 private lighting companies in the State; each one of them ought to be a member of this organization. I am inclined to believe that the reason that we have not had them is that they don't realize the benefits derived. And if the proceedings of this convention can be in some way gotten into the hands of prospective members, it will do some good. I hope there is some way in which

that can be done. Are there any other matters to consider? If not, a motion to adjourn, sine die, will be in order.

MR. W. F. WHITE: I was going to remark, that I think that an Electric Light Association is justified in going after members, the same as any one of the individual members is justified in going after business. There is strength in numbers, and we ought to have all the electric light companies in the State of Ohio as members. I think it should be one of the duties of the Secretary to solicit membership among those companies which have not yet joined us, and possibly he might send a copy of the proceedings of this convention, if we have them printed, to each electric light company which is not a member, and ask them if they can afford to stay outside, and whether the proceedings of this convention, as evidenced by the character of the papers presented at this time, are not a sufficient proof of the advantages to be derived, and that they owe it to themselves to join the Association and further its interests and its work.

MR. MCLEAN: Gentlemen, I don't think we ought to adjourn without recognizing by a formal vote our appreciation of the able conduct of affairs during the past year by our retiring President, Mr. D. L. Gaskill. I move a vote of thanks to him for his very able services and loyal work.

The motion was seconded by several members at once, and being put to a vote by Mr. White, of Cincinnati, was carried unanimously.

THE CHAIR: I would make one suggestion in regard to getting in new members. Our friends, the supply men, get around considerably over the State, and see many whom we do not see, and if in their traveling about and endeavoring to find customers they would also speak a word for the Association and urge its claims, it might have a good effect. I have always felt that the supply house was a part of the electric lighting business; we can not get along without the supply house, neither can they get along without us. Our interests ought to go hand in hand; if they will give us their assistance during the coming year, as they make their tours of the State, I believe it will do much good. I would bespeak their assistance with the various officials, of companies, whom they meet. (Applause.)

On motion of Mr. McLean, the convention adjourned sine die.