Page 355. Northwestern Adopts New Methods. Declaring itself as favoring the open price policy the Northwestern Clay Manufacturers’ Association appointed a committee on reorganization at its annual convention in Minneapolis, Minn., Jan. 20 and 21 and will seek to adopt the standard at an adjourned session of the organization, which will be held before Spring. The convention was one of the best ever held by the Association and many practical questions were discussed and decisive action taken on them. One of the most pleasing features of the two days’ session was the attendance of a special delegate from the Minneapolis Bricklayers’ Union. George Prescott, as a personal representative of the president of the union, offered the good offices of his organization and declared that it stood ready to co-operate in any manner with the clayworkers. The offer of the bricklayers was accepted and in the new constitution which is to be adopted, provisions will be made to give a seat to a delegate in future conventions, this delegate to have full voting power. In this connection it also was decided to invite the society of architects and the contractors to send delegates to all conventions that are held in the future and participate in all deliberations.
The action of the convention in declaring itself on the open price policy followed an address on the subject by Iverson C. Wells, managing editor of "Brick and Clay Record." Mr. Wells explained briefly what the new competition meant to the clayworker and gave a short outline of the system that was employed in other industries. The address drew forth considerable discussion and before the convention adjourned resulted in the appointment of a special committee on reorganization. This committee was composed of Frank Nixon, of Paine & Nixon, Duluth, chairman; M. C. Madsen, Hutchinson; George Prescott, Minneapolis; F. B. Martin, Minneapolis, with Mr. Wells, acting in an advisory capacity. This committee was empowered to make a thorough investigation into the system and report at an adjourned session which Secretary Martin is to call later. Another important move was the action of the association on publicity matters. A special committee was appointed and arrangements are to be made for the publication of a monthly journal which will print illustrated articles showing the proper use of clay products and their advantages as a building and constructive material. This publication is to be distributed among prospective purchasers of building and construction material with the idea of educating them to burned clay. The association indorsed the idea, which is fathered by C. F. Ireland, of Minneapolis, and agreed to pay for a certain quantity of subscriptions to make it possible. Other plans for publicity were discussed by this same committee and will be whipped into some sort of shape at the adjourned session. Several very interesting papers were read during the meeting. Prof. F. F. Grout of the ceramic department of the University of Minnesota, drew forth more discussion than
Page 356. any of these. His address was on the clays of Minnesota and he illustrated his remarks with maps and sketches. M. C. Madsen, of Hutchinson, Minn., was elected president to succeed E. H. Cobb, who has headed the organization for several years. Mr. Cobb has made a most excellent executive, but will find a worthy successor in Mr. Madsen. B. Frank Pay, of Fowler & Pay, Mankato, Minn., was chosen as vice-president and F. B. Martin of the Twin City Brick Co., Minneapolis, was elected secretary-treasurer to succeed Axel Anderson, whose continued ill health made it impossible for him to take an active part in the work proposed. The executive committee was composed of E. H. Cobb, Frank Nixon and A. C. Ochs. The annual banquet was held Tuesday evening at the West Hotel, where all the sessions of the association were held. George M. Gillette, of the Minneapolis Steel & Machinery Co., was the guest of the evening and delivered the only address. Mr. Gillette talked at length on the compensation act of Minnesota and the insurance liability law. He also took occasion to indorse Iverson C. Wells’ address of the afternoon on the open price policy and told the clayworkers he knew it was a good thing because he belonged to two organizations that had been operating under it for some time. One of the most valuable features about the convention was the opening of the "Question Box" on the last day of the convention. Members had been given the opportunity earlier in the two-days’ session to ask any question that appealed to them. These questions were written on a large blackboard and clayworkers qualified to answer them were called upon for a solution. Invariably these solutions were followed by a general discussion which brought forth many interesting angles. The convention was declared one of the best ever held by the Northwestern Clay Manufacturers’ Association and gave everyone present an inspiration to take hold of the new work, as outlined, and to each one do his part to bring it to a successful issue during the coming year. (Brick and Clay Record, Kenfield-Leach Company, Chicago, February 3, 1914, Volume XLIV, Number 3)