Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-09
THE TICKET BROKERS
Annual Convention Of the American
Association Opened.
PRESIDENT GUINZBURG'S ADDRESS
Taking Action Against a Hostile
Court Decision.
MEMBERS WHO ARE PRESENT

The sixteenth annual convention of the
American Ticket Brokers' Association be-
! gan this morning in the large dining hall Of
the National Hotel. and when President H.
A. Guinzburg Of st. Louis raped for order
ole of the most intelligent bodies of men
ever assembled in Washington settled down
| to the consideration Of the important busi-
ress that called them together. Perhaps
President Gulnzburg In his own personality
is At representative Of the standing In
their several committees of the other mem-
bers of the ass ociation. He is handsome
young man, and Is a native Of this neigh
| borhood. having been born in Baltimore in
1856. He comes from a distinguihed Aus
trian family. For the past twelve years he
has been a resident of st. Louis and always
prominent in the public affairs Of that city.
where he was one of the directors OF the
Hebrew Relief Association for over ten
! years. president of the Hebrew Free Burial
Association for long time. and is at pres
ent president Of the Harmonic Club. the
foremost Jewish club in the west.
| He is also leader in democratic politics
Of his adopted city, and is rapidly becoming
prominent In the national councils OF the
party. He has deciir ed the democratic
nomination for the office Of city treasurer OF
| st. Louis well as for the upper house
! OF the municipal assembly. He Is a men,
t1host in every effort to improve the welfare
| Of his town.
| He greeted his brother brokers in a very
few and well-timed remarks Of congratula-
ton upon the rapid rise and progress OF the
association, and his report as president was
then delivered and attracted much atten-
| ton.
The American Ticket Brokers' Associa-
a an Eap TN tho frnv, ~
in the march Of progress. and thoroughly
demonstrated that II is conducted upon high
principles OF business honor. We have
| forced the respect. by our integrity, Of the
managers Of our railway systems
ITO be a member of the American Ticket
Brokers' Association is evidence of q repu-
tation that calls for unquestionable conf
dence. Our business has such hold on the
| travelling public and on the well being Of
the weaker railroads that II Is impossible
for their interests that its course should be
| stopped. Our rebates are recognized as be-
| ing as good as a bank note guaranteed by
| the government.
s"Whcn ticket brokerage began It was
but poorly understood. In 1879 It became
recognized as a legitimate business. Before
this time a mixed class practiced methods
which brought odium on the occupation.
After the formation Of the association steps
/ were Immediately taken to prevent these
abuses by the legitimate brokers, who band
ed together for mutual protection. The jus
tice and intelligence of the American people
have outgrown ignorance, and the love Of
fair play will not permit the igh-handed
outrages which have been attempted by a
| few railways. Four hundred and fty-four
honest. able, faithful and financially sound
are strict and must be obeyed" g
He then called attention to various bus
mess matters which called for the consider
! alton of the convention. -
Against an Illinois Decision.
At the close of Mr.. Guinzburg's address,
I n nd vx.hA he
resolution was offered. and. after a slight
discussion. was adopted by unanimous vote
| Of the convention.
1t recited that through a couusive and
fraudulent case. the attorneys for the Chi
cago. Milwaukee and St Paul Railroad Com
4 rany have imposed upon the supreme court
OF Illinois to the extent of obtaining a de-
cision sustaining the validity OF an act of
the Illinois legislature Of 1875 prohibiting
ticket brokerage ard that this action, II
/ carried to a successful issue, would result
through the destruction of the ticket
| brokers' business, In doing away with COM
petition IN passenger traffic, and a conse-
Quent large increase in rates. The resolu-
| ton further stated that ticket brokerage is
the only safegnard left to the people
object OF the Chicago, Milwaukee and ST.
| Paul Railroad Company Is to perpetuate
the pool through the brokers destruction.
and then declared that the American
Ticket Brokers Association authorize the
executive committee to retain the services
Of Richard Prendecgast of Chicago to take
such action as he may deem wise In the
matter OF the Illinois decision above re-
ferred to. and pledges Its full support to
the said committee In all matters deemed
proper In this connection.
A recess was then taken until o clock D.
| m. s'sF
The Afternoon Session.
At the afternoon session the executive
committee reported various suggestions re-
| gardlng the work to be accomplished dur
| Ing the convention, which were being dis
| cussed when this report closed The ses-
| sion tomorrow will be devoted to the elec-
| ton of officers for the ensuing year and
| the discussion of the many amendments
| offered to the constitution of the associa-
| tion. One of them provides that member
| ship or any privilege within the bestowal
| Of the association shall be forfeited and
| become null and void IL obtained partially
| or wholly by falsehood. Misrepresentation.
fraud or concealment. Another provides
| that the failure of member to pay dues
| or other charges against his membership.
or an additional membership. jointly
! upon joint membership within six months
| after notification shall render such men,
bership or joint membership subject to sale.
The convention will also consider an
amendment to the constitution providing
| that the membership of insolvent
! holder may be sold to the highest bidder
to liQuidate claims against such insovent
| MEMBER nelu Dy tne aSSOclatlOu or mem-
bers of 1t. the equity. If any, to be paid over
! to the insolyent member.
On Friday night the association will be
entertained at a banquet by Messrs Beck
man and Spieldt of this city, who are the
| only resident members of the body.
/ Members Present.
The members of the association in at
tendance upon the convention are G. o.
Fogg and G. Z. Beekman. Boston; D. F.
Bunn Bristol, Tenn; Fred S. Ozier Can