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Notman President, Schuman Editor;
Frederick, Md., 1966 Convention;
All 14 Amendments Approved
After a spirited Friday-night caucus on candidates, Larry Notman’s commanding lead in the proxy ballot vaulted him into the Presidency over Alf Babcock, nominee of the Atlanta Bloc.
A search under tables and beds failed to reveal a candidate for Official Editor; but Sesta the Kingmaker came in at the ultimate hour with an acceptance from Kermit Schuman, who was gratefully elected.
Dorothy Schneider, a newcomer imbued with vigor and enthusiasm, was elected Vice-President; and Nancy Segal, having just demonstrated her honesty and capability as custodian of ballots, was elected Recorder.
With the promise of a “clambake at the clambake,” Frederick, Md., was selected as 1966 convention seat.
Tony Moitoret, professing strict neutrality, plugged for a variety of communities for next convention site in a lapel badge changed every hour on the hour. Salt Lake City, Ashtabula… What’s next… Hanoi?
In a remarkable display of political maturity, the association approved the record array of 14 amendments, thus putting us in solid with the tax people.
Roy Lindberg objected and abstained simultaneously, the year’s neatest display of parliamentary gymnastics.
Fossils Gather. Thirty-seven Fossils and guests entertained each other at luncheon Saturday – a larger gathering than most official Fossil Reunions enjoy. Inevitably, the subject of discussion, under Jack Dow’s chairmanship, was awards and activities. Inevitably, also, the discussion led nowhere much.
Knowledge Is Power. After the Friday night caucus, a 64 question quiz program (complete with selling commercial) was sponsored by the Fossils Custodian on the history of the National Amateur.
Surviving the welter of obscure information, out of a starting field of 10, were Tony Moitoret, Larry Notman, and Rolfe Castleman. Books were awarded as prizes.
Crack in the Bell
by William F. Haywood
WE all know about the crack in the historical Liberty Bell in this convention city, but I’d like to point out a flaw in the item published in Ding Dong for January. Tony Moitoret, veteran newsman and publicist, claimed that the planned publication of a daily paper at our sessions “lessens the lure somewhat of attendance.” This is a surprising reaction from one who must know that the presence of a press at the convention, with members actually printing a paper on it, is sure-fire publicity in the local press – at Des Moines this activity was covered by Associated Press on its national wire service, with results that are still being felt. As a printer member of NAPA, the fact that we can look forward to printing a paper in the company of the organization’s top craftsmen is one of the best reasons for attending. To exchange ideas and see methods demonstrated first-hand is a privilege too seldom possible.
“What concerns me is the participation in its production of most of the delegates, and thereby making business sessions of secondary importance,” Tony wrote. “Most” is too strong; there are always more non-printers in any sizable group of amateurs. The relative importance of business and printing sessions is surely a matter of perspective – and I know that this writer did not join the NAPA because he was interested in business.
“A National convention is not a large, economy-size edition of an Amateur Printers Club meeting,” Tony said. It is true that the APC is limited to those who actively participate in printing, but if the convention doesn’t have some of the spirited discussion, good fellowship and sharing of activity that typifies an APC gathering, then it misses the vital element of our hobby.
Tony would like to see a daily amateur paper at a convention put out by some dedicated soul with a couple of helpers in the off-hours and delivered in the morning to delegates. He nominates Roy Lindberg for this duty, undoubtedly recalling the job Roy did at Brooklyn in 1949. Without detracting any from Roy’s skill at editing and mimeographing, I’d like to suggest that it is much more of an Association representative if all the printer-members cooperate in putting out a daily APC News. Why should Roy and “one or two competent helpers” have all the fun?
There’s plenty of opportunity for writers to supply copy and printers to set type and run the press when the APC sets up shop at convention. If participating in business sessions is your idea of fun, go to it, but if you don’t take time out between sessions to help us put the paper together, you’re missing the best part of the hobby. There’s plenty of sightseeing available in Philadelphia, and you can hop over to New York World’s Fair if you’ve got some extra cash.
Addendum and Erratum. Stan Oliner came in at 1 a.m. on Friday to supervise the printing. The sun then found Peter Schaub, Richard Yoder, Guy Miller, Kelly Janes; Ed, Jan, Curt and Holly Harler; Mr. & Mrs. William White, Ray Allen Albert, Nannie Bell Beck, Gail Davis. Omitted from Thursday’s arrivals list: Murgatroyd Wesson. Friday night and Saturday arrivals were: Elmer Schaub, George and Richard Trainer, Rebecca Greenhouse; Rowena, Cathy and Jackie Moitoret; Bob Dunlap, Merlin Teed, Les Boyer, Felicitas Haggerty, Ralph Babcock, A. C. Budenkaye, John Gillick, Harry Filler, Sesta Matheison, Alexia Ostergaard, Louise Polis and Charles Genfan.
Total to date: 78 people, 46 members and one turtle.