, 1874-01-14
Representatives Of Leading
Roads in Attendance.
Concerted Action to be Taken in
patcnt-IEfringemcnt Cases.
Earning Of Chicago Roads for the Last
Fiscal Year.
Annual Reports of Pennsylvania
Railroads.


| WESTERN RAILROAD ASSOCIATION.
The annual meeting OF tho Western Railroad Asso-
citation held yesterday At the GRIND Pacific Hotel
This Association organized Jan- !, 1861 to protect
tile interests Of the members in the matter Of claims
Of ratentees and their representatives, which claims
had then become numerous ani urgent as to
demand united resistance. Mr. John N. Jewett was
retained the attorney Of the Association The E1~
ecutiye Committee consisting Of seven members e1-
anime claims and determine whether the Association
shall ufgate settle hen the expenses beng d1vd-
ed BY pro ra Of tie gross earnings OF each Of the
twenty-five roads eosDrrisiDg the Association. Mr.
Robert Harrs General Superintendent Of the Chicago
burlington Quincy Railroad. has been the President
Of the Association but, despite his unwearylng ef
| forts to increase is efficiency, It has never al-
! Froached the usefulness at tho corresponding
one in the East 1t was clearly apparent the Assoca-
ton might be Of grea, benefit to the companies. Tho
BcAKE CASES,
In which all interested, OF themselves involve
s. o0oo. At the December meeting, therefore, 1t
resolved that effort should Ia made to place
the Association upon IN efficient footing. The effort
WIS to be made t the .nnual meeting It was, viz
tuay, question OF life or DEATH If the Association
couid not Re inv{gorated, and DO made of practical
to let it die. To perpetuate It, attorney and Sec
rotary who could dcvote their entire attention to the
interests Of the Association were deemed tmpe1avety
terday was mainly called
EoADs REPRESENTED.
The meeting called to order at u O'Clock rn.,
31r. Robert Harris, tho President Of tue Aasocia-
ton, in the chair, and Mr. George willard acting
+ csaf s fossnf ho a 1Sas sns s
Flint. Depese marquette, Micnie.n Central, Jack
iedo, Wabash Western, NorthwesterD, Peoria, p
kin Jcksou. The President stated that several
their presence. No answer being made, the reporters
we're allowed to remain.
NEW OFFICERS.
On motion, MesrrB. Paine, Riddle, and jerome
appointed Committee TO nominate new Executive
Committee for tho ensuing year. After short con-
suatton the above Committee reported tho names Of
the following gentlemen, who unanimously elect
ed Robert Harris, Jchu " Cary, u. E. Sargent. !
Charles Payne, II. H. Porter, Arthur Mitchell and D.
NJ Garen.
Tho report of the Treasurer then read, which |
showed that the ta1ancc remaining in the Treasury
amounted to soo1.72 The e1penses during the year !
were sl5, ,90762.
Ar7oExErs REPORT. |
Mr- Giett, the attorney Of the Association stated
that st present cigh:een hzs were pending against !
members Of the Association, which we're mainly for /
three combinations Of PATENTS as folioss Th4ee suits
In tue sw3gebock cases, eereu In the brake caseB,
and six in the nre-bo1 cases
These had subjected the Association to
adverse Judgment to which was given by Judge
prummond some time ago. The case was recommit-
ted for additional testimony time in October, and
was finished about two weeks ago. The expense Of ]
this case alone wou amount 70 from 5000 TO sloo
portion Of this, about fifth, would be borne by
the Pittsburgh b Fort Wayne Road, but this would
still leave the expense BwLge-bock cases 200:
on hrale cases. COG; for printing, s, 800 fre-boI
cases, s. 500 outside expenses, $50C0 other cases,
81 go.
This puts the xtion in debt for considerable
amount. There should, therefore, be assessment
levied Ct at least 30000 to carry through the
now pending
/ sA1An1KD ATTORNEY
Mr. Jerome, the attorney for the Detroit N1,lvau-
kee RlilEoat, loytd that the Executive Committee be
to enrloy saiEred Attorney Mr.. Nc
Mullen moved amendment that special Com
ntee Of five be appointed to propose proper changes
III their Constitution. Mr. Sargent suggested the adj
y1eab1uty Of engaging sa!aried Secretary, two e1-
peTts In patents and attorney.
Nr. Newell thought that the organization, as now
constituted vas Of little value and new Constitution
wss OF rtal necessity. Mr. jerome moved to lay AIG.
b1cMulln's motion on the table.
Mr. McA1ullen Withdrew his first motion. and moved
hat the Committee OF the Whole take up tLc subject
# ahe1ng the Constitution The motion WA adopted
On motion OF Mr.. Nithro1, recess until O'Clock |
xas taken, to give them q chance to prepare the
.hange. !
ALTERING THE CONSTITUTION.
On reaa5eMbnns, the reporters we're informed that
he meeting would be held secret, and they po-
:tely requtste to leave, Tbs meeting lasted until
ate hour IN the evening" and 1t ia understood that the
Constitution amended a4 t. aIlog the employ
ncnt OF Secretary Ut s.iary Of &Go0 per year. two
1pert patent at s3lafy Of 5000 each, and an
ttornty to whom retainer Of 81 Ct0 should be paid
n each ease, besides the regular fees.
PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD RE-