Service was closed and its headquarters transferred to New York, though the services of the Committee remained and continue available to the Government, should they be desired. When the Committee thus ceased its active existence in Washington and gave up its labors there, it was done with a feeling of pride in the record of achievement and of service that had been rendered by the patriotic forces it represented. The unselfish and whole-hearted response given to all requests made by the Committee to the utilities companies and their employees was in itself an inspiration and clearly indicated the morale and strength of the able men entrusted with the safe conduct of the affairs of the utilities in rendering their important service to the country. Submitted for the Committee, JOHN W. LIEB, Chairman. MR. EDGAR: Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: I think that report is entirely too modest. I think it reflects the modesty of the Chairman. It was my good fortune to be closely identified with this work and to visit Washington many times, and I do not think that anyone ever did as good work for any industry, or for any government, as Mr. Lieb and Mr. Elliott did as representing this Committee. (Applause.) I wish I had time to read you a number of letters received from the various Departments, Secretary Baker, Secretary Daniels, and other officials in Washington, expressing their deep appreciation of this work. It is hard to overestimate the time and the intelligent effort that these gentlemen gave to this work. I do not think the reading of the report itself—and I have not read it, by the way, because it came to me only today—I do not believe the reading of the report itself will give any insight into the tremendous amount of work done. I think one statement, perhaps, emphasizes it more than any other, and that is that there were very many days in which hundreds of cases of complaints about the shortage of coal were handled each day, and in practically every case a remedy was found. I think it became so much of a routine work that even Mr. Lieb and Mr. Elliott themselves did not appreciate what they were accomplishing, and I want to add my word to what has been said in the report in an endeavor to impress upon you the tremendous value of the work done by this Committee. (Applause.) MR. FREEMAN: There is a matter which I would like to bring before the Convention before adjournment. Mr. Edgar, in presenting the report of Mr. Lieb's committee referred to the modesty of Mr. Lieb, and I think the modesty of Mr. Edgar as a member of that committee prevented him from offering a resolution which I think would be fitting at this time. I believe, in the first place, we want to express our appreciation to the Committee in a formal way, for the splendid service it has rendered, and also that it is desired that every member of the Association shall receive a copy of this report in full so that the members can appreciate the very valuable work which has been done by this Committee. I simply wish, Mr. Chairman, to move that the report of the Committee, as submitted by Mr. Edgar this evening, be printed for distribution to the membership, and the Committee be discharged with an expression of very sincere appreciation of the value of the service rendered. MR. EDGAR: I would like to make one amendment-Mr. Lieb suggested that the Committee be allowed to continue. MR. FREEMAN: I will be glad to eliminate that feature of the motion. (The Motion was duly put to vote, and carried.) THE PRESIDENT: The meeting will now stand adjourned. THIRD GENERAL AND EXECUTIVE SESSION WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1919 President Wells called the meeting to order at 10:10 A.M. The President: Our first business is the Report of the Treasurer, Mr. Frank W. Smith, of New York City. Mr. Smith: In March of last year the Executive Committee authorized that the financial operations of the Association be changed so as to synchronize with the fiscal year ending June 30. I will, therefore, at this time present only a summary of the operations covering the first ten months of the fiscal year, or from July 1, 1918 to April 30, 1919. In the printed proceedings of this Convention will appear a full and complete financial statement covering the operations for the full fiscal year, or twelve months ending June 30, 1919. The Executive Committee authorized also that the financial operations be carried on hereafter under a budget system during the present administration. A summary of the operations for the ten months ending April 30 is as follows: Cash on hand June 30, including $78,586.69 from investment, and other items.. 166,966.12 Total receipts $245.552.81 151,312.25 Disbursements for the period. Of this amount, $18,642.18 was applicable to the Cash funds available, April 30, 1919, as per .$94,240.56 It is interesting to state that the receipts up to April 30 |