Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-06-25

The Objects and Aims OF Their Assoeia-
tion. and Its National Meeting.


tiou, and Its National Meeting.
WHEELING, w. VA, June %. 1893.
To the Editor OF the REGISTER:
SIR:-In response to your request, /
will briefly recite the aims and objects
of the Local Freight Agents Associa-
lions, and describe their National
meeting in Milwaukee, Wis, on the
18th inst.
By the terms Local Freight Agents"
is meant the men In direct authority
and in charge OF the stations working
forces, and with whom comes in con-
tact, more than with any other class OF
railroad men, the great business world.
A dozen years ago, the local freight
agents OF ST. Louis, formed local as
ISOLATION for the purpose OF meeting to-
gether, from time 10 time, to talk over
their experiences and business with
each other. and they soon found by such
a course they we're much better able TO
prom pity and satisfactorily handle their
Interchange traffic between the differ
emit lines, relieve each other and the
general public OF many misunderstand-
ings and ennoyances, cultivate social
men and competitors; and at the same
time were able to give the public better
service in every respect, and in doing so
were giving their respective employer
companies an infinitely better service;
thus largely increasing their capacities
and earning power without a cores
ponding outlay in capital.
In few years more Cincinnati and
Chicago, learning OF the experiences OF
their brothern In st. Louis, also organ
lied, and these three cities stand as the
pioneers of the movement, which In
1883 eliminated in the organization OF
1.-The National Association Of Local
Freight Agents Association"
ANY local association, whose men,
beers represent five different railroads
with functions or terminals within the
limits or immediate vicinity OF city,
is eligible to membership In the Ma
tional Association. From this little
seeding grew the stately and powerful
stalk as we find 1t to-day, which includes
upwards OF forty associations OF the lar
Qest terminal cities in the United
States, each year adding five to ten as
soclans to the national body.
The Association has not only grown
in mum bers, but has likewise grown In
efficiency and usefulness; composed as
il is OF men who are in touch and full
sympathy with the public needs, con-
yersant with all the details and require
ments Of their interchange traffic, their
older local associations have come to be
recognized as potent factors In ousi-
ness by the Boards Of Trade and Cham
bers OF Commerce in their respective
cities, and are recognized by the rail-
way managers as powerful auXiliarIes
in their efforts in strengthening out the
intricacies Of system Of interchange
business There are many other bene-
| fits accruIng TO those Interested by such
| organizations.
The sixth annual meeting OF the Ma
tional Association met this year IN the
city of Milwaukee.
The business transacted at the meet
Ing was full OF interest to the fraterni-
ty of R. r. Agents and the railroad
world, as we'll as to all shippers and
consignees.
Car Service Associations were pro-
nounced a success, in that they increase
the supply OF empty cars TO shippers,
and have almost entirely eradicted such
complaints from shippers; although
they are believed by some TO have OBJ
jectional features.
twas recommended that all railroads
in the United States adopt a uniform
Express bill.
The question OF "the best car seal"
ELECTED considerable discussion, and
brought out some nice points on the
subject; which was finally referred to a
committee for full investigation and
report at the next annual meeting.
Many other subjects were discussed, re-
views OF which space will not permit.
Two sessions per day for three days,
attended by about 125 delegates, rep
resenting 400 local freight agents from
many parts OF the union, bounded by
| lines from New York TO Omaha, and
West Superior TO TeKst, made up the
convention. The next meeting OF the
National Association will be held In
Pittsburg next June, and will no donot
be OF greater interest and have larger
attendance.
1.-THE Local Freight Agents Associa-
ton Of Wheeling, w. Va was organ
lied last February with IA members,
representing all the lines entering
Wheeling. Mathis Ferry, Bridgeport
and Bellaire; meet once month, and
from the interest already evinced, 1t Is
believed, will prove to be Of great ben
eft to shippers and the respective lines
represented.
LOCAL FREIGHT AGENT"