THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN. 
87 
ASSOCIATION HONORED. 
Silas Wilson—“ I have here a few copies of the federal bill 
in its present form, as it was reported from [the Committee of 
the Whole House. Last week I was in Washington on busi¬ 
ness other than this, but I found time to learn that there 
seems now to be a united sentiment in favor of this bill. 
Your committee on legislation when it went to Washington 
was accorded signal honor. After our arguments had been 
heard by the House Committee on Agriculture, we were asked 
to remain while the House Committee took action. This was 
very unusual, and we regarded it as a high honor to the Asso¬ 
ciation that we represented. A distinguished constitutional 
lawyer from the South made the motion asking"us to remain 
with the committee. He said he knew we were there for the 
good of the country. 
“ I am confident, gentlemen, that if we indorse this bill and 
forward our indorsement to Washington, the bill will be passed 
in a few days in the House, and I am sure there will be no 
trouble in the Senate. 
“Whether the bill is just such a measure as meets the need 
of all nurserymen, I am not going to say ; but I believe it 
comes as near to it as any that is possible. My experience in 
matters of legislation has taught me that there are many grave 
obstacles to encounter. Many interests are to be considered 
in a measure of this scope. What the bill lacks may be pro¬ 
vided by amendment. There has been no legislation, state or 
national, that was not like a new machine. As defects cropped 
out they were remedied. We will see the weak points and 
then we can amend the law. 
“The only way now, it seems to me, is to go ahead. Sup¬ 
pose we were to turn down this measure now. What would 
the congressional committees think of this Association after 
all our efforts ? Now is our opportunity.” 
E. W. Kirkpatrick, of Texas, asked that the salient points 
of the bill be stated in a few words. 
Mr. Wilson said the best knowledge of the bill would be 
acquired by perusing it. He passed around copies of the bill. 
Mr. Albaugh called attention to the fact that existing laws 
have not been passed at the instance of nurserymen. “ This 
law,” said he, “ probably more nearly expresses the desire of 
the nurserymen and welfare of the trade than any other. 
There may be need of a local law in California and Florida, 
where citrus fruits are grown. I don’t want to have an attor¬ 
ney at our side continually to tell us what the latest amend¬ 
ment to a certain state law may be. I believe there ought 
not be one word of discouragement on this bill.” 
George A. Sweet—“ I would like to ask whether the resolu¬ 
tion covers all the ground that should be covered ? ” 
Mr. Watrous—“ I think it does.” 
Mr. Sweet—“ I asked that question because I wanted the 
strongest resolution possible. I come from the congressional 
district of Congressman Wadsworth, chairman of the House 
Committee on Agriculture. He is a personal friend of mine 
and he is interested in the subject. If we present a bill with 
an adequate appropriation we will get it—at least the commit¬ 
tee will agree upon it.” 
SECTIONAL ASSOCIATIONS TO HELP. 
A. L. Brooke—“ Another matter : We have our sectional 
associations—East, West, Southwest and South. I suggest 
that each association, through its officers, take up this matter 
and supplement this action by passing similar resolutions and 
forwarding them to the congressmen. The Western Associa¬ 
tion of Wholesale Nurserymen meets in July. I will lay the 
matter before that association, and I am sure favorable action 
will be taken. If we can do this, I think it will have a good 
effect. But Congress may adjourn soon, and we must act im¬ 
mediately.” 
N. W. Hale—“That is a good suggestion. For two or three 
seasons the Southern Association of Nurserymen has passed 
resolutions favoring the bill, and copies of these resolutions 
have been sent to the congressmen from the southern states, 
so that they know all about it already.” 
E. W. Kirkpatrick—“ I indorse all that has been said on 
the subject. It is a question that we in Texas have been 
much interested in. I would have been pleased to have had 
someone here announce the leading features of the bill. We 
cannot act intelligently without knowledge.” 
J. W. Kerr, of Texas, indorsed what Mr. Kirkpatrick said and 
favored the measure under discussion. Mr. Watrous urged all 
nurserymen to write to their congressmen. Mr. Wilson said 
he did not have enough bills to go around because there had 
been a heavy demand at Washington from state horticultural 
societies. Mr. Albaugh moved that the secretary be author¬ 
ized to have printed 500 copies of the bill at once. Carried. 
Silas Wilson—“ I coincide with all the suggestions that have 
been made ; but whatever is done must be done quickly. If 
action is taken by Congress at all it will probably be taken 
within ten days’ time.” 
A. L. Brooke—“ I suggest that-we go ahead as if we had 
more time, for it may be that action will not be reached in the 
the senate, at least until the short session in the fall.” 
The committee on legislation was thanked by the Associa¬ 
tion, with a rising vote, for its faithful work at Washington. 
Mr. Schuette. of Missouri, offered a resolution, which was 
adopted, to the effect that “Whereas, the Louisiana Purchase 
Exposition to be held at St. Louis had met the approval of 
the federal government to the extent of an appropriation of 
$6,500,000, that St. Louis would spend $10,000,000, and the 
total appropriation would not fall far short of $20,000,000, the 
American Association of Nurserymen in convention assembled 
formerly indorsed the exposition.” 
A. Willis, of Kansas, presented the report of the auditing 
committee, finding the reports of the secretary and the treasurer 
correct, and noting especially the gratifying prosperity of the 
Association and the increase in the amount of cash in the 
treasury. 
At the session of Friday morning, June 13th, a paper was 
read by A. Willis on “ The Relation of the Nurseryman to the 
Community in Which he Lives.” Reports of the committees 
on final resolutions and on exhibits were presented and a few 
questions were submitted for answer through the National 
Nurseryman, the official journal of the Association. Ad¬ 
journment was then taken until the second Y ednesday in 
June, 1903. 
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FINAL RESOLUTIONS. 
Your committee on final resolutions reports for your consideration 
the following : 
Resolved. That the American Association of Nurserymen extend its 
hearty thanks to Mayor Rose for his warm welcome to the beautiful 
and hospitable city of Milwaukee ; that we have found the city and 
its people all that the Mayor in his eloquent words to us claimed, and 
we shall carry to our homes increased admiration for the beauties and 
advantages of Milwaukee, together with friendship for its citizens. 
