THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
253 
have a state chairman who has the respect of his fellow 
merchants and of the community. To him I lie Legislative 
committee and Counsel can directly appeal for action, 
sending notices of legislative bills, briefs, arguments, con¬ 
fidential information, etc., etc. 
One of the great virtues of this organization involving 
ultimately all the members of the Association, is that il 
makes every member a working member. As in am 
church, lodge, or association of human beings, give a 
member something to do, a responsibility, or duly to per- 
iform, and you gain his interest. Interest, which is ac¬ 
tive, co-operative, forceful and compelling is what is, 
bound to kill this unwise legislation. It. is said in one As¬ 
sociation that if the members all fight together in a just 
cause against an unfair legislative bill, no matter what 
the odds are against them, they w ill win. 
The last suggestion, perhaps unnecessary and obvious, 
is that this legislative service requires a reasonable 
amount of money for maintenance. The Committee and 
officers of any association should not be compelled to do 
a large work of charity for the common good of all, when 
It is only necessary that each member should contribute a 
trivial sum of money out of all proportion to the great 
good received. 
In closing, please allow a short legal opinion of an 
attorney, and this address has been, I trust, singularly 
free from legal phrases. 
The greatest danger to the members of your or any 
association from these unfair police regulations is not 
from the fines and possible imprisonments which may be 
rare, but from the rights of action in civil suits arising 
from the violations of these statutes. A merchant operat¬ 
ing under these laws is in constant and daily danger of 
being sued by a dissatisfied or dishonest customer and 
large judgments, out of all proportion to the purchase 
price of the merchandise, may be secured against him. 
'Therefore, it is for the interest of all the members of your 
association to think of these criminal statutes most ser¬ 
iously, and to adopt all honorable means to defeat un¬ 
reasonable legislation affecting their business. 
THE VISIT TO THE EORD MOTOR PLANT 
The invitation to visit the Ford automobile factory was 
taken advantage of by great numbers. 
There is one word that typifies the Ford organization 
and that is efficiency. 
The individual is completely lost sight of—swallowed 
by a machine. The moment the visiting nurserymen 
reached the factory, each was given a card to sign, reliev¬ 
ing the company from liability for any accident that 
might occur during the visit, and incidentally supply tin' 
company with a good mailing list of names for advertis¬ 
ing literature. Without fuss or feathers the visitors 
were tolled off in twenties under a competent guide to 
see how an automobile was made complete in 55 seconds, 
and move out of the shop under its own power. Talking 
was permitted in the factory, but perfectly useless on 
account of the noise. 
A nurseryman from Missouri was heard to remark 
when he got out in the open. "I know r now where tin* 
Ford car gets its rattle. Its born in ’em. It may be, also, 
added, so is efficiency. Night and day, Sunday and week¬ 
day the machinery is running, the changing of shifts 
goes on without halt. No loafing on the job. Things 
seem to move as relentlessly as the lide. 
There may be a selection in Ford models but there can¬ 
not be in individuals of the same model at least so that 
human intelligence can make selection. They are all 
alike. 
After going through the factory, the visitors were 
shown the new Motor Tractor in action by means of 
moving pictures. 
It is a reality. On tlx* farm and nursery the horse is 
doomed, but don't rush to sell your horses. They won t 
be on the market for two years or so. The factory is just 
being built to produce them. 
Plowing, hauling, cultivating, harrowing, reaping, 
binding, mud holes, soft roads, rough ground and hills 
w here horses will work so will the Ford Tractor. Cheaper 
and better. This is not the statement of a dreamer but 
actual observation of practical nurserymen. I don’t hold 
a brief for the automobile business but rather for the 
nurseryman w orking with nineteenth century tools trying 
to produce for twentieth century demands. 
CONVENTION NOTES 
When Mac gets on his feet to make a protest a steam 
radiator is more effective than the chairman’s gavel. 
If the same efficiency was used on our large nurseries 
as in the production of Ford automobiles how large 
would the brush pile be. 
The weather didn't call for it but Adolf Muller could 
not resist those Palm Reach suits. Next time he ought 
to bring his wife along. 
The drive around the city and suburbs was a thor¬ 
oughly enjoyable feature. No dust and weather just 
right. Detroit is justly entitled to its name “The Queen 
City.” 
They may not be able to grow many of the more south¬ 
ern plants in Detroit but their law ns w ere the envy of oil 
who saw them. 
According to the megaphone on the Rubber-neck special 
the proper pronunciation is Detro-it. 
One nurseryman was heard to remark. It is “Me for 
a Twin Six Packard as soon as business picks up. 
Cheapest car on the market. 
The tender on the bridge going to Crosse Isle explained 
very seriously that Ford cars had to pay exactly the same 
toll as automobiles. He further explained “One passed 
over earlier in the (lay with a ehiflionier running it and 
there was no reduction. 
As the bill for uniform state legislation has been 
drafted it is now up to the State organizations to urge 
its adoption in their own particular states. 
