P.H. O'Keeffe
International President
1929 - 1930

The second decade of the International Association started with a number of changes in the officers. First Vice President Challenger and Second Vice President Rodell could not continue on the board. The result of the action was as follows: P.H. O'keeffe, president: Albert Havermale, first vice president: Fred J. Hagen, third vice president: Harvey H. Weber, treasurer: L.M. Augustine, secretary. Otto W. Fuhrmann was succeeded by Ira D. Pilliard of the Milwaukee Club as chairman of the Educational Commission.

Some Uses of the Referendum
One of the first times that the local clubs used the referendum to reverse a convention resolution occurred when the proposition was passed to eliminate the word, "House," from the official title of the Association. E.N. Rodell of the Topeka Club led the campaign to defeat the resolution. The campaign was successful for the resolution was lost in the referendum by a vote of 24 to 11.

Another amendment adopted at the Toronto convention provided that the name of the Association, its emblem, and its slogan be copyrighted. The United States Assistant Registrar of Copyrights passed the opinion that the emblem and the slogan could not be copyrighted. However, the incorporation of the International Association was completed in Washington, D.C., May 25, 1930.

The Education Commission, under the direction of Ira D. Pilliard, promoted the idea of a library for every club and a reference library for every Craftsman. To assist the realization of this plan, every reasonable effort was made to create book consciousness and keep members up-to-date in the latest developments in the crafts.

During the administration of President O'Keeffe, the Association reached a new high in the number of clubs; 62. Five clubs were organized in the United States: Spokane, Washington; Portland, Maine; Citrus Belt, California; El Paso, Texas; New Haven, Connecticut. Three Canadian clubs were organized; Vancouver, B.C.; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Ottawa, Ontario. One club was organized in Sydney, Australia, making the Association truly international. With a few exceptions, every club functioned through out the year and many reported an increase in membership.

The convention habit seemed to be growing among the members. They found that the Craftsmen's convention was a good place to spend part of their summer vacation. The attendance of women at conventions was increasing every year and the social and entertainment features were, in themselves, an inducement. The combination of business and pleasure with the annual meeting of congenial friends of mutual interest gave the annual convention a pronounced vacation appeal.

Transportation plans for the delegations attending the Los Angeles convention were made months in advance. Many of the Eastern clubs made up parties and traveled across the continent together, picking up delegates as they went along. Most of the delegates on the Pacific Coast enterained visiting Craftsmen coming down from the Northwest for the convention.

The Eleventh Convention in Los Angeles - 1930
The Los Angeles convention was held in the Hotel Ambassador August 18, 19, and 20. Beautiful lawns, flowers, its colorful swimming pool, and its famous "Cocoanut Grove," made a wonderful setting for the event.

Thirty-six clubs were represented. The total representation was 377, of which 165 were ladies.

Official business occupied most of the time of the four conventions sessions. The unusual number of new clubs represented, and the attendance of so many leading Craftsmen from the Pacific Coast clubs, added a refreshing note to the proceedings. The pep and energy displayed by these Pacific Coast Craftsmen explained the progress of Craftsmanship in that region.

During the inter-club conference the work of presiding officer was delegated, in turn, to each of the three vice presidents in charge of their respective divisions. The reports of each of the district representative and of the representative at large revealed the healthy condition of the Association. Delegates from almost every club represented took part in the discussions.