The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-06-24
swITCHMEN's ASSOCIATION.
Letter to The Herald Concerning
SimshrOtt,& Disappearance.


SimshrOtt,& Disappearance.
Owing to speculA ton INDUCED in on ac-
count of the many conflicting rumors
afioat anent the absence of Grand Secre-
tary and Treasurer Simshrott, when the
annual convention was IN session, The
Herald has asked for the fullest infor-
nation possible, and received from Frank
Sweeny, the former grand master, and
now editor and manager of the Switch
mems Journal, the following open letter.
that makes clearthe matter We give it
in its entirety. Hts very frankness is COM
mendable.
Switchmens Mutual Aid Association of
North America
Chicago, June 20, 1894
To The Herald-There are, no doubt.
many wild reports now. in circulation
respecting the general affairs of this as
ISOLATION, and the strange conduct of
Grand Secretary and Treasurer Simshrott.
Our association is not by any means In
distress, and our Indebtedness is not any
greater now than is has been on previous
occasions. This week we paid out $4,000
on claims, and the lodges are renting
with as much regularity as ever. Switch
men are never discouraged, and they are
a class to hold the fort against all
sorts of storms. A few tinid members,
acting on the impulse of the moment,
and influenced by the unreliable reports
for awhile, but when facts are presented
to them they will see the folly of their
hasty actions and return to the fold. Our
financial condition is as sound as any OF
those institutions similar in make up
There is absolutely no rece1vership. The
court vacated the order to appoint a re-
ceiver, after we established our Solvency
and showed that the contested claim of
total disability was an unjust one.
| have not seen Simshrott since he re-
appeared. My impression is that his
strange disappearance was peculiar at
lection of the brain, caused by the eX-
cessive use of liquor, after returning from
the funeral of a very dear friend. He
never allowed himself to over-indulge,
and always used all kinds of intoxicants
moderately. But it seems on this par
ticular occasion, previous to attending the
convention, he must have been mentally
deranged by the use of it.
His accounts are being examined by a
special committee, and so far, are found
correct, so the committee reports. Billy
is receiving treatment at the Washington
home, in this city, and improving quite
again matters Will Strengthened out, ana
have no doubt but what he will redeem
himself in every way. 1t IS an untortu,
nate occurrence for both Simshrott and
the the association, because it has a tendency
to arouse suspicious and fr1ghten away
the tmid. We shall outlive the untor-
tunate affair. This being about all the
facts connected with the case | am yours
truly. FRANK SWEENY,
Editor and Manager Journal.
The above tells all there is to be told
and it is currently believed that the treas
At . their last convention it was decided
to move the association. headquarters
from Chicago to Evansville, Ind ana
they will do so the 1st OF July. ne
business men of the latter place guaran-
teed them the quarters in the Arcade
block rent free for five years. and TO pay
all expenses of moving from Chlcago,
also the old National bank to pay them
5 per cent on funds deposited. 1t may
here be said that as a class, the sWltcn-
men take 100 chances for their lie every
day when men in all other branches take
hut one. Their pay has never been con-
si sid, adequate for chances taken and
the nature of the work they perform,
and they are one of the most loyaI
classes to members known today IN the
railing world.