The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-06-05
KNIGHTS OF THE GRIP.
TRAVELLERS PROTECTIVE ASSO-
CATION IN SESSION.
Active and ProsperOus-The Work
1t Has Accomplished.


Travellers Protective Association of
America organized at Denver, Colo,
on June 8, $780, is holding its sixth an
nual convention here. It has had
remarkably rapid growth in the last
two years, beginning with a member
ship of 3,945 June l, 1893. reaching
1862 June 1, 1894, and closing with
10000 June 1. 1895.
The association is now organized
in thirty-two states and in ninety
eight large cities of the United States.
1t is the only national commercial as
ISOLATION in the United States which
is so thoroughly cohesively and COM
pactly organized that it can be util-
lied promptly and effectually for the
purpose of protecting and promoting
commercial interests and at the same
time maintain an autonomy and indi-
viduality of action il its state dtVls-
ions and local or municipal posts. 1t
is a commercial travellers organiza-
ton but has for its members a large
number of Employers OF commercial
travellers among wholesale dealers
and manufacturers, and this combina-
ton gives it a most powerful intlu-
ence. 1t is organized upon the federal
plan, having a national, state and a
municipal government, and it's five
committees on legislation, railroads
hotels, press and employment are re-
presented in each Of the state and NUM-
cipaI organizations, thereby cooperat-
ing Systematically and with great dis
cipline of effort in work for its mem
bers and for the general benefit of
commercial interests.
Very Prosperous.
From the report of its national presi-
dent, John A. Lee, it is shown that
the organization secured an amend
ment during the year just passed TO
the interstate commerce act, permit
ting railroads to issue interchangeable
mileage and to give extra privileges
as to free baggage with such tickets;
and that through its accident insu1-
ance department more than $4,000 Tor
indemnity claims have been paid in
which six death losses were included.
The total expense of conducting the
association was only about 10 per
cent last year, though the average
membership has ben almost double.
The per capita for expense funu col
lected and now allowed by the constl-
tuition is 50 per average membership,
b,r only SLIT was expended, being
saving of s1.06 per capita as compared
with last year and s1.74 as compared
with the previous year. Nearly SZ,OOo
was saved as a surplus this year from
the expense fund.
Indemnities paid during the year emu
ing June, 1895, were much larger imam
for any previous year IN the associ"-
tons history. Most fraternal orSaIllzd-
tions compute their expense OF con-
6ucting the business of their associa-
lions upon the grestest, usually the
closing membership. This method Is IN
accurate and misleading. But for pur-
noses of comparison the total expense
of about S15. 627 when divided by the
closing membership in good standing
shows that the per capita so compuleu
of expense is only Las per MEMBER
whereas other excellent ASSOCIATIONS
claiming to be the cheapest IN the
country. but which do nothing beyond
insurance, show an expense account OF
1.36 and 1.421a per capita.
Two new state divisions have been
added during the year, Florida re-or-
ganized) and North Carolina. twenty
eight new posts have been organized
while three posts have lapsed, leaving
the association with organizations in
% of the principal cities Of the United
States.
The entire expense of promoting thu
increase of membership was this year
81 15354 resulting in receiving more
than 5000 new applications. Last year
the same fund was charged with 81
47475, resulting in securing only 4,SOu
new applications.
An amendment before the convention
to establish a membership or entrance
fee of from 81 to So is being strongly
supported.
Thirty-Two States Represented.
The morning session of the Travel
ers' Protective association was taken
up with the credentials committees re-
resented, and the total membership of
the association is 1900. The delega-
ton from California was seated and in
the Louisiana contest the New Orleans
delegation was seated.
Chairman McCoul, of the rates COM
mittee, has made material progress
during the last year in the matter Of
the interchangeable mileage and low
excess baggage rates.
The Union Pacific has issued
book good over all its system
at the rate of 21a cents per mile.
"A 2,00O-mile Interchangeable ticket
over the Missouri Pacific and Cotton
Belt systems and the Gould roads in
Texas, is now in print, and the Union
Pacific, the Oregon Railway and Navi-
cation company and the Great North
ern are interchanging.
Governor Culberson addressed the
and was received with
much applause.
In the afternoon business was sus-
pended after short session to allow
the delegates to witness the battle of
flowers Fully 10000 visitors were in
the CITY, There were twenty peauti-
full floats in the flower parade and
about 200 handsomely decorated car
riages.
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.
Muncie, Ind, June 4.-Lightning today |