Some extracts from the minutes of meetings of the Executive Committee
of the Vegetarian Federal Union, relating to the Congress. As published
in The Vegetarian (London) during 1897:
OFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT. - At the meeting on the 19th March, the
following were present: Mrs. McDouall, Miss E. E. Cole, Mis C. B.
Cole, Mr. George Jones, Major Richardson, Mr. F. P. Doremus, Mr. C.
W. Forward, Mr A. C. Field (treasurer) and the secretary.
The Memorial Hall estimate for Congress meetings was considered.
June 19th, 1897:
Vegetarian Federal Union
GENERAL COMMITTEE
OFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT.- The General Committee was summoned to meet
at Ramsgate at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 1st. The following were present
: Mrs. McDouall, Mr. Hanson, Major Richardson, Mr. Forward, Mr. Hills,
and the Secretary ; also as visitors, Mr. Axon and Mr. Tongue.
There not being a quorum present, the Chairman ruled it an Executive
Committee.
The date of the International Congress was changed from August 2nd
and 18th to September 13th and 18th.
August 7th, 1897:
General Committee
OFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT of the meeting held in the Central Offices
on Friday, July 23rd, after semi-annual meeting. Present ; Mr. A.
F. Hills, Miss Yates, Miss E. E. Cole, Miss C. B. Cole, Mr. W. Becker,
Major Richardson and Mr. George Jones, also Mr. A. C. Field (treasurer),
and Mr. O'Callaghan (agent).
The high price (7s 6d) of the Congress dinner tickets (Crystal Palace)
was discussed. Decided, if it can be arranged, to alter it.
Resolved, that the Executive be summoned as often as necessary to
deal with Congress matters, till Congress is over.
August 21st, 1897:
Vegetarian Federal Union
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT of special meeting held on Friday, August
6th. Present: Rev. Francis Wood, Miss E. E. Cole, Mr. A. C. Field,
Mr. George Jones, Major Richardson, and Miss Yates in consultation.
The 7s 6d dinner at the Palace for September 16th altered to a 4s
lunch.
Three special circulars suggested by Miss Yates were adopted.
Sub-Committee on Congress papers reported.
Decided to have a cycle handicap by the V.C.C. if this can be arranged.
Also other athletic contests.
Resolved - To ask Mr. Hills to transfer the balance of his
former guarantee (£75) re Palace dinner, to the whole
Congress.
Decided that tickets for the Congress Conversazione be 1s each.
Resolved - That the 5s Congress Ticket shall entitle holder,
in addition to privileges already arranged, to a rail and admission
ticket to the Palace (September 16th), and a lunch ticket at half
price if purchased before September 11th.
Resolved - to arrange a Public Demonstration and Concert at
the Palace, all speakers and singers taking part to be strict Vegetarians.
Resolved - That one meeting during Congress week be set apart
for Vegetarians only.
August 28th, 1897:
Vegetarian Federal Union
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT of Special Meeting held on Friday, August
13th. Present: Rev. Francis Wood, Miss E. E. Cole, Mr. George Jones,
Mr. C. W. Forward, and the Secretary, also Miss Yates in consultation.
Report presented of official visit to Crystal Palace Co. and Bertram
& Co. re Sept. 16th.
Resolved - That the Theatre be taken for a meeting at 7 p.m.,
and that 10,000 handbills be printed by Evans & Co.
List of names suggested as a help to form the Vegetarian Choir for
the Palace meeting, was read, and Secretary instructed to write to
them.
The Luncheon to be at 2.30 p.m., or at later time if found more convenient,
at Secretary's discretion.
Steward to be appointed to take charge of visitors at the luncheon.
The Committee to arrange their seats. The Committee to meet on the
Friday before the Congress.
Resolved - That all papers for Congress to be gone through
by the staff, who shall if necessary report to the Committee.
Resolved - That August 31st be last date for receiving papers.
That they be classified and of a kindred character at each session.
Resolved - unanimously, that Mr. Hills be asked to be President
of Congress and give a Presidential address.
Resolved - That the meeting for Vegetarians only be "Social
and Experience," and managed by Major Richardson.
Conversazione to commence at 7.30. "Evening dress" optional.
A suggestion to have manufactures going on at the Exhibits was agreed
to if without expense.
It was decided to send a note to Secretaries of Societies asking for
loan of suitable objects.
It was decided to arrange for sale of literature, badges, and photos
of Vegetarians at the Crystal Palace on Sept 16th.
Correction. - We regret that in our report of the meeting of Aug.
6th we ommitted the name of Miss C. B. Cole who was present at that
meeting.
September 4th, 1897:
Vegetarian Federal Union
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT of monthly meeting held on Friday, August
20th. Present: Mr. Field, Mr. Forward, Mr. Jones, Miss E. E. Cole,
Miss C. B. Cole, Rev. F. Wood, the Secretary, Miss Yates (in consultation),
and Mr. O'Callaghan (Agent).
Mr. Hills accepted the position of President of the Congress.
Resolved - That the Congress shall commence at 3 p.m. by the
opening of the exhibition, at 4.30 the reception of members and delegates,
at 5 p.m. the President's address.
The Congress Papers Sub-Committee was disbanded that the whole Executive
should deal with the entire Congress.
Mr. Hills, in reply to the Committee's letter, offers to meet a guarantee
with an equal amount up to £25 if a "Congress Fund"
is opened.
An offer by Miss Yates to demonstrate with an aerial graphoscope was
accepted with thanks.
Resolved - That £5 be spent in advertisements of the
Congress.
The Secretary reported that he had communicated with all the Ambassadors
etc., re Congress Exhibits, and received much encouragement
in the official replies.
Resolved - That the Social and Experience meeting for Vegetarians
only be held on the Tuesday evening at 6 p.m.
October 2nd, 1897:
Vegetarian Federal Union
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT of Special Meeting held on Friday, August
27th. Present : Mr. Geo. Jones, Miss E. E. Cole, Miss C. B. Cole,
Rev. F. Wood, the Secretary, and Miss Yates.
Information having been sent to the effect that if we have a meeting
in the Crystal Palace Theatre it will be gretaly interfered with by
the noise outside, the question was discussed, and it was finally
ruled that as there is no resolution to the contrary, the meeting
is to be held in the Theatre as previously decided.
Resolved - That all members of the General Committee including
alternatives, be appointed to act as Stewards of the Congress, and
especially to support the President at the opening.
Resolved - That ribbon badges be obtained for the Stewards
to wear.
It was decided the seats around the President's table, at the Congress,
be set apart for members of the Committee and Presidents of Societies.
It was decided that the choir have a rehearsal at Hygeia House, according
to Mrs. Wallace's offer, on Tuesday, September 7th.
October 9th, 1897:
Vegetarian Federal Union
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT of a special meeting held on Friday, September
10th. Present: Mr. C. W. Forward, Mrs. McDouall, Mr. Geo. Jones, Miss
E. E. Cole, Miss C. B. Cole, Rev. Francis Wood, and the Secretary,
also Miss Yates in consultation.
Resolved unanimously that non-Vegetarians be invited to speak
at the Crystal Palace luncheon. The Committee then selected names
to be invited.
Resolved - That final arrangements be left with the Secretary.
Resolved - That the reception of delegates be hedl in the Board
Room. Several other matters of detail for the Congress business were
also settled.
OFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT of monthly meeting held on Friday, September
24th. Present: Mrs. McDouall, Mr. Geo. Jones, Miss E. E. Cole, Miss
C.B. Cole, Rev. F. Wood, and the Secretary.
A discussion took place on the question of publishing the transactions
of Congress and what they should contain.
Resolved - That the transactions of Congress be published as
the December number of the Vegetarian Review.
Permission was given to Mr. Beard and others to publish some of the
Congress papers in theri respective journals.
A list of suggested awards to Congress exhibitors was considered,
and, with one exception, approved.
A vote of thanks was accorded to the friendswho had generously loaned
articles of interest to the Exhibition.
Resolved - That we reply to all Societies that have sent greetings
to Congress, and also send them a copy of the transactions when published.
V.F.U. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Photos of the Congress Party at Monkhams may now be had at the offices
of the Vegetarian Federal Union, Memorial Hall. Price 3s. 6d. each
for the single mounted one, and 6s. 6d. for the double.
December 4th, 1897:
Vegetarian Federal Union
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT of monthly meeting held on Friday, November
19th. Present :- Mrs. McDouall, Mr. Geo. Jones, Miss E. E. Cole, Miss
E. B. Cole, Rev. F. Wood, the Secretary, Mr. Saunders (Agent), and
Miss Yates.
A balance sheet (approximate) of Congress accoutns was presented,
showing a deficit of only £18 odd.
A design for Congress Medal Awards was approved.
A National Congress for 1898 was approved, to be held in October,
and an International Congress at Paris in 1900.