148 THE BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW 



tions given me by the Board of Directors." With but one exception every con- 

 tributor written to, and I have copies of their letters on tile for your inspection, 

 agreed to the turning over of this fund without any qualifications whatever. The 

 objection was really a suggestion that the amount be borrowed from the League 

 Fund mstead of being turned over without any restrictions. This suggestion was 

 put up to the Chairman of the Directors by me and I am not sure but what he 

 referred it to the other Directors, with the result that the arrangement was per- 

 fectly satisfactory, and Treasurer France was notified by the Chairman to turn 

 over the fund. 



At that time I drew orders on the treasury for the Directors' expenses in 

 attending the meeting in Detroit last January, but Treasurer France refused to 

 turn over the fund, stating that he had no right to do so. In further communi- 

 cation with Treasurer France I asked him if the League Fund was ever in the 

 control of the National Association or simply in the hands of a special committee, 

 stating that I felt if the x^ssociation controlled that fund that he was assuming 

 no obligations or risk in following the instructions given him by the Directors, 

 and that if any one was censured for the transfer, it would be the directors and 

 not him. Flis reply to that letter read, in part, as follows: 



August 12th, 1912. 

 Mr. E. B. Tyrrell, 

 Detroit, Alich. 



Sir. :— 



Your favor just received and T will say in Ijrief the League Fund never was 

 a part of the treasury of the National Bee-Keepers' Association. 



Dec. 20, 1905, Chicago, the League Fund was transferred to a committee of 

 three with strict instructions what it was raised for and by whom, and with 

 certain conditions said committee was to accept it and use it. Pages 148-149 

 of 1905 report, also page 151, Mr. Miller in charge of the League Fund, said, 

 "That the monev was handed to us for the express purpose which I mentioned to 

 you— to BE USED FOR ADVERTISING. If you won't take this gift on our 

 terms, we won't give it." President York then put it to vote of the member? 

 attending the meeting. Rising vote declared carried unanimously. In short time 

 the League Fund was placed in the special committee's hands and as Chairman of 

 said committee was placed under .SI, 000 bond to safely handle the same. I never 

 was allowed to keep it as a part of treasury of the N. B. K. A., and never so 

 reported it in annual reports. Several times when the N. B. K. A. treasury was 

 without funds, I have loaned the needed amount without interest until same could 

 be spared, but never have I allowed the League F"und to be drawn on only 

 for purposes as instructed. Said committee have no right to loan the funds, and 

 as soon as Mr. Tavlor is able to attend to business we will look after using the 

 balance still in the committee's hands. Said committee was appointed by Pres- 

 ident York, Gen. Manager France, Secretary Hutchinson and Chairman of Di- 

 rectors Taylor. 



Now, Mr. Tyrrell, I am doing my duty witl: the League Fund, and I hope 

 you and Directors of the New N. B. K. A. do not think I do not want to help 

 the new treasury or to see it doing much more for its members than the old 

 association did in its handicapped condition. 



N. E. France. 



Believing that Mr. France was acting conscientiously in the matter and not 

 wishing to stir up dissension among the officers, the matter was dropped, and 

 the League Fund has been in the treasury while the Directors have been out 

 their expenses. From the above letter it would appear that according to Mr. 

 France's interpretation the League Fund never was in the hands of the 

 National Association. I must confess that I cannot agree with him in the posi- 

 tion he takes, but I cannot help but feel that he is honest in his belief in the 

 matter as it does not seem possible that a man who has worked so hard for the 

 National in the past would attempt to lilock its progress at this time. I am 

 equally frank to say that the attitude taken by Mr. France has prevented some 

 things being done this year, for had the fund been available it was my intention 



