The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-06-17
THE JOLLY DRUMMERS'
Jnteresfine Session OF tho Convcntion-Ihe
Report Of the notwithstanding
salary Increased.

suu. many Of the delegates. to the Travellers
Protective Association were breathing the
delightful ozone OF the sea. They had arisen TO
witness the suns rising. and were well repaid
for their trouble. for the sight was beautiful.
and a revelation 10 many who are here from
interior States. OF course the greater mum
Der of the delegates and guests awaited more
seasonable hours before making their appear
ance. and breakfast was being served in good
fashion before all Of them made their appear
snce In the dining-room.
The convention was called 20 order at
o'clock. and Mr.. Joseph Wallerstein. OF kion-
fnond. presided most Of the morning. Inc
first business was tho reports of committees
and other routine business after which fresl-
dent McGrew read his report a. follows;
Gentlemen Of the Convention.-l In present
ing nv annual report have occasion To con-
pratulate the Association upon ifs progress
drrino the INST wear and excellent financial
standnQ. il has made long step forward;
not only in the increase OF IneinDershp anu
reserved capital for the common Deneht OF
It's members, but IL has established us claiin
TO national organization that compresseH.iu nus
every section, State and Territory OF the
Union. Criticism and prejudice have nor
,,reyailed against it, because II stands justly
In front of the commercial world rs the expo,
nent of genuine business principles ana
benevolent objects entirely separate IRON
speculation and intrigue .
As body OF representative cohmerclhi
travelling men, We have bonorably ACQUIRED
the respect and confidence that have oeeD
generously conceded 20 us by the merchants
and manufacturers of the country. Ihey
have not failed TO recognize the Just oolects
81 our orggnizstion. nor haYo they lett unap
preciated the work that has been ACCOM-
plished
ITS INFLUENCE.
In addition 10 all of this we have strength
ened the character of the Association for sta
bilitv and enlarged its influence IN behalf OF
commerce in the interest OF those VINO form
our membership. No personal ambitions DO
prsiudices. 10 rivalries otherwise IMAM 70 pro-
mote the highest and best objects OF our
Association have appeared as disturbing eie-
rnents in our progress, but unity or inter-
.sts and a harmony of efforts have car
ned US forward 10 tho highest position
ever before occupied by any organized oody
of commercial travellers. Such result could
only be achieved by the elevation OF indlVl-
dual character. and united. manly purpose
20 deserve It, / am therefore proud OF this
organization. proud of ITS accomplishments
and hopeful of it's brilliant future. 1t has
greatly honored me with its confidence and
official position. and in response 10 an ap-
proved custom take pleasure IN submitting
my annual report.
ORGANIZATION.
Having found at the beginning Of this
year we needed strength in numbers and or
panizAtion. / have devoted most of the time
10 this object. and. with the assistance OF the
State presidents aud members throughout the
country we have organized divisions In the
following States: Mississippi. Oregan. Wash
ington, California and Virginia. We have
also organized a great many posts during
this year, and succeeded in organizing the
largest post that has ever been organ
lied in the United States that Of
,Terre Haute, Ind..-with membership
of sixty-seyen. Although this post Is only
ninety days old it has a membership of 49,
Special mention should be made of Illinois.
Indiana and Missouri divisions These three
divisions within the last ninety days have
doubled their membership. There is good
deal Of material left to work on. We should
bave post in every city in tho United States.
Without national organization we can &C
complsh nothing. During the past year we
have more than doubled our membership
RAILROADS.
Our railroad work has been nterfered with
by the interstate commerce law. The matter
of issuance of weekend tickets should be
pushed by every State division. We have
weekend tickets into St. Louis
a few days ago read with pleasure COM
munication from the president of the Ten
pessee division announcing weekend ticket
TO Memphis.
LEGISLATIVE.
The most important work during the year
has been accomplished by the legislative CON-
mittee. We succeeded in getting petitions
from the merchants and manufacturers from
almost every wholesale city in the United
States. requesting the passage of the O'Neill
bill in the House of Representatives.
We eent representatives TO Washington in
the interest of this amendment 20 the inter
a4o 10 lax nd q a1a1I in hox mo-
IL reported favorably on February 8, 1892, and
1t is now Oh the House calendar. We also
sent our attorney TO Washington on April 9Th.
who presented a very forcible argument be-
fore the Senate committee. With the hearty
cooperation of all of our members through
out the United States we can have this
amendment to the interstate commerce law
passed. and when that is done we are sure OF
getting five-thousand mile interchangeable
ticket
There has been but little work done with
hotels. because We have found 1t impractical
bic 10 make T. p. A. contracts with the hotels.
in many cases when contracts are made for
our members only the same concessions are
granted TO all commercial travellers. We have
corrected "a few abuses. such rs excessive
charges on baggage and bus fares and charges
for sample-rooms and fires. The hotels
should furnish ilres and saInple-rooms free.
THE PRESS.
We owe great deal Of our success to the
press. Ii is their hearty cooperation that
builds us up. In the early DAYS before news
papers were printed the people were educated
by oFatory. At the present time they are
controlled and their opinions are moulded 10y
the press. A few hundred persons within
the sound of my voice hear this annual re-
port. IL is published by the press of the
country and it is road by millions. would
advise you TO publish Il column in some news
paper AZ least once each week and let the peO-
die know who we are and what We are doing.
sANITkRIUM.
One Of the desires of my life is TO see built
In the near future sanitarum or place OF rest
for our members. The merchants and manu-
facturers in several States haye donated
largely. and our balance in the treasury has
gained rapidly within the last year. 1 recon-
mend that the location be very carefully
selected; we must take into consideration
climate, water and other advantages We are
not now in a condition financially 10 build
this sanitarium. Would suggest that the
sanitarium be started when we have balance
in our treasury Of $50, 900 or more.
INSURANCE.
Our insurance features are decided sue
cess. We have paid losses 70 the amount OF
S4.593
Our total expenses for tho year. including
ofhce. salaries. ETC., amount to S6.775.20.
FINANCES.
One year ago at Little Rock we had bal