Document nprKRwQ5bJ72wqbaw70wR4r32

VOLUME XVII DECEMBER. 1916 NUMBER 2 A New Record for Conventions By C. M. Lemperly HE Golden Jubilee Con tain to the fundamental things we Tvention is over. It not only make and sell. eclipsed all previous Con And yet who could listen to that ventions in attendance, but infospr iring opening ceremony on perfection of planning, progrMamonday without realizing, perhaps and entertainment features, far for the first time, that there are surpassed anything of the kind ever attempted. This is saying a great deal, for in all these years the organization has been setting some high records in Conventions. things of the spirit that cannot be adequately described by the pen? Such things make SherwinWilliams Conventions beyond re cording--they are the same things Weeks and weeks of preparation, that go to make up the Sherwinmeetings, planning and looking for Williams spirit, which is something ward, came to a three-day grand that nobody has yet been able to climax on November 13th, 14th describe, though many have tried. and 15th. So smoothly did the machinery of the Convention work that one scarcely realized the indi vidual and concerted effort behind each part of the program, the com mittee work, and the details neces sary to a meeting of this kind. Who could sit and listen to our President's opening address with out being proud of those men and women who have given the best and biggest part of their lives to our organization; without bowing his head when that beautiful trib The really big things of this Con ute was paid to our founder; with vention can never be recorded in out rejoicing in the tremendous type or pictures--they were too volume of business indicated in close to the heart for that. Their those reports; without rising to memories will linger with those his feet to pay respect to the great who came, saw and heard, and leader who talks from the heart to cannot help but weld the men of the heart--whose every word is Sherwin-Williams closer together sincerity itself? in mind, in purpose and in spirit. Who could hear our good Vice- There were some parts of the President pass over the span of Convention that have been and years without a better conception can be recorded on the printed of the struggles of the early days, page, but these are the material of the political and economic things--and, of course, they per changes of the nation, of the THE CHAMELEON 15 Detroit White Lead Works Enthusiastic Over Convention Convention and we appreciate most thoroughly and sincerely the many courtesies accorded us. The Managers and the Rep resentatives of the Detroit White Lead Works considered the Jubilee Convention the grandest Conven tion of its kind that has ever been held by anyone in the paint or varnish business. We all enjoyed being present and were more than pleased with the splendid reception accorded us. From our viewpoint, there wasn't a single moment during the entire Convention but what the sessions were highly instructive and most ably handled and of great interest to all of us. A Word from Mr. Williams Aside from the strictly business aspect of the Convention, which il lustrated so wonderfully the size and ramifications of our great or ganization in a way to amaze even those most familiar with it, my feeling is one of concern lest my participation was wholly selfish. Many of our men have expressed keen satisfaction at the opportunity afforded them in being present at this Jubilee Convention and have further stated that they had no idea of what a great and grand organization we were a part. Furthermore, the special con sideration shown our organiza tion and the many kind things spoken of us made us feel as though we were a real factor in this wonder ful big organization and, although we came to the Jubilee Convention with a fairly good record, the high words of praise that were said in our behalf made us feel as though we had not accomplished half enough and I know that every Manager and every Representative is going to work harder than ever to try and eclipse all of our former high record marks. It certainly was a great treat for us to be with you at the Jubilee In 1897, the Company, while very small as compared to what it is now, impressed us just as much for its size as compared with what it had been in the past, and as compared with our competitors. In those days we felt strongly the family tie that seemed to hold the organization. I wondered at the time whether that spirit could exist and be kept up as we grew larger. To my mind this last Convention has demonstrated that the right kind of men with the right kind of leadership can live together, work together and pull together as one big family, no matter how large the family may grow. My concern on the score of sel fishness was due to the fact that it was hard for me to believe that others got from me what came to me from them. I count every one of them as my friend and only hope each one counts me his. 7 SUP 05