The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-24
PRESIDENTS OF RAILROADS IN COUNCIL.


Jaekson-Adoption OF Resolutions, &c., Sc.
general Railroad Convention was held at the Aston
House last evening Present
s,ephen whitney J. Phillips Phoenix, John p Jackson
and ii. j. southmayd of the New Jersey Railroad and
E Noothen George N. Miller, Peter I. Homer and
WIN. W Boardman OF the New York and New Haven.
W. u. Bishop of the Naagatuck
Charles Hunt, of the Housatonic.
Gordon L. Ford of the New London, W. and Palmer
l.. L. Sturges, Of the Cayugs and Susq johanna.
John ervis, of the Michigan Southern aud Northern
indiana
joel W, White, of the Norwhich and Worcester
Western.
samuel Brown, d. c. McCallum Of the New York ana
Erie
John J. johnson, of the n. Y Central
T.. ID. Morgan, of the Hudson River
George w. Bentley, Of the Worcester and Nashua
Tho chair was occupied by John p. Jackson, OF New
Jersey president Of the convention and Gordon L. Ford
OF Connecticut, acted as secretary.
The PRESIDENT upon taking the chair, addressed the
convention follows
t,NIIlxls or rHg cosvEsTIos-The extensive and i'm.
portant rela tons social financial and moral connected
with the operations and of the railroads Of this
country, invest these institutions at this period with
grea, Importance As prominent portion of the grand
machinery by which man is moved onward in the full
6nent Of his high destiny, ameioratng the condition
wealth az tire world railroad system deserves the
closes attention, the wisest organization and the most
faithful administration The representatives OF various
railroads are nov assembled TO consider subjects Of
mcrc'at interest TO each other; TO compare their
10 sos@ scnelasons beneaeai t" tse pubic
and - their prolretors. The immense capital invested
work., the dependence u many on THEM earnings for
supper, ana the great nfueace their capital and obl
cations exert nj this time the mooetary affairs Of
the ration justify careful consideration Of all matters
pertaining TO their user illness and value Being under
asrse 'gs sn,spsds spa s Ssr
trusts 10y their wisdom energy and integrity, during
stringent and protraeted financial crisis VIII not only
greatly mitigate the severity OF the monetary pressure,
BY Inspiring confidence in institutions OF such immense
capital, and OF such comprehensive business and soc;
intercourse, but prove them also TO be invaluable
instruments in the general developemen and al.
raneenent OF our country and mankind. II be.
decide such details of our railroad system
as shah tend TO enlarge their usefulness and establish
public confidence in their productveness to the end that
they may give of ability to discharge their
obligations to their creditors and stockholders and
the same time subserve the interests of the community
at large. II is ascertained fact and generally
conceded. that hitherto the efforts Of railroad
panies accommodate the public on the most favorable
terms and the induced by strong competition
have brought the prices for railroad service too low to
expenses and proper provision repairs renewal Of
the road and other necessary improvements The gene
raj omission to establish sinking fund for the renewal
Of the track bridges and buildings and the absorption
Of all the net earnings in improvements and dividends,
will sooner or hier, be severely felt and hence the
revenues Of each company should be adjusted to
provide not only for its current business but also for
e perpetuity of it's work in complete order To attain
sufficient income from the business of railroads for
their continued maintenance, with satisfactory annual
dividend the capital it is manifest that very
these viii be briefly suggested
Frst-More minute and vigiant attention to the
condition OF the road and equipments, for the
two-fold purpose of securing greater facility and
safety in the transportation Of persons and pro-
perfy and OF promoting discipline and economy among
the operatives with classification and assignment
of specific duties in each department through all
the gradations Of superors and subordinates.
Seoond-Thc unreserved and self denying dedication
OF the prominent executive officers to the
ans AND Ss 1s ,As IF the Affairs Of the
This intimate connection with the current operations
The company greatly promotes the efficiency and fidelity
Thrd-A watchful and digent attention TO all pur,
chases FOR the company with the actual knowledge that
recei,e and applied to the work the close examination
and auditory Of all bills with Their payment in such
manner as to preclude the possibility Of any perq use
or bribng bonus to obtain custom.
Fons'h-An intelligent practical decision as to i'm.
provenent and material repairs both Of the works and
equipments with careful husbandry of old stock and
materials which should be Immediately sod--oher-
wise il vanishes. This is quite necessary in view |
OF The strong disposition employees 1t pull |
down aud build up aud to make changes which will |
nS,dua senst ms nr nUt n 20 .ne
often manifest by not deciding upon and making repers
with sufficient examination and supervision Of the work
Futh.-Ihe road aud equipments, the discipline and
economy in the working operations and the protection
against abuses in disbursements for mater als and
pairs being secured careful and comprehensive adapa-
ton of the capacities of the work for serving the public
IN the transportation OF and freight should
be adopted comforting the greatest amount Of benefit
the community interested, and receiving remunerang
returns. There is happy harmony between the two
adequate rates it Is the advantage Of every COM
pan TO make the accommodations extensive aud liberal
Seyeath-with such large investments Of capital such
active and devot attention 20 the safety comfort and
welfare Of the communty-such responsible trusts and
Liabilities TO damages and disasters, IL IL clear
that just remuneration should be realized in order to
satisfactorily compe for the labor and the large
amount expended, not only for the construction aud I
perpeuaton of the work in perfect order but for its
current operations.
organized and in fun action, the daily receipts
should be carefully guarded, by rigid ticket sys- /
tenn aud checks and balances with reliable receiving
all the safeguards Of duplicate daily returns and
(which the experience Of tine best
far as practicable, all receipts in the form
OF way moneys or otherwiae which are not
the amount received can be tested.
Nnth-An entire humiliation of the pcrquisite
as veil on the public as on the companies. Pas
sengers are often apjnsly charged .s Tor aesommo
men, porters, and local employees, and thousands are
lost to the company by the transportation Of packages
pnppSstors free for large never received
by the company. The foregoing cursory sugges
s ~a ss he y
railroad companies the importance of associat-
ing themselves for their mutual III improvement
modes of BUSINESS and their practical results with tho
view Of attaining the greatest efficiency safety
with reasonable allowance for the mperfections and
failures incident to all human systems to deserve the
ourselves worthy Of the responsible and complicated
trusts committed to charge 1t is, therefore, de-
srabIe that this association and all others similarly
constituted, wherever convened should endeavor to
rondense their joint improvements and successful expe
tience for the common benefit OF all railroad nsttu
lions maintaining free and fun communications respect
Ing each others Affairs and operatonsthus terrifying
ihe railroad system, and protecting companies
rom frauds, oppression, extravaganza and imposition
The representatives Of the railroads convened is
believed, probably bestow their attention
pf the subjects thus attempted though very mperfecty
shadowed forth, particularly the following =
l. The best system Of securing efficiency and exemp
ton from accidents railroads
q Discipline, economy, proper division OF labor and
duty and minute and constant superintendent Of every
department Of railroad business.
s Adequate remuneration for railroad service, by