The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-09-19
ANNUAL MEETING.
No Final Action as to the Place to Hold it
Some Railroad Complications.

Elders E. w. Stoner, S. H. Utz, I. j.
Kolb and G. s. Harp of the German Baptist
Annual Meeting Locating Committee, had
conference at the residence of the other mem
Der, Charles d. Bonsack, on Wednesday last
The claim of Frederick was presented by Mr.
G. b. Sappington, a prominent citizen OF
Frederick, and a member of the Business Men,
Association of that city and by DIR. Fahnney
Westminster claim was presented by Messrs.
A. H. Huber and Z. NJ. Bish. The purpose
had been, as stated last week, to agree upon
the location at this meeting. 1t was found.
however, that this was impossible, because OF
certain propositions from the several railroads
not having been clearly made. A committee,
consisting of Elders Kolb and Utz, was
selected to confer with the Pennsylvania X.
r. authorities at Philadelphia, and meeting
for Monday next in Westminster agreed
upon, at which final vote would be taken.
Inasmuch as it has since been learned that
General Passenger Agent Wood, of the Penn
sylvania Road, cannot be seen until Monday,
the probabilities, of course, are that final ac-
ton will not be taken until a later day.
The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad originally
offered, in addition to the usual half-fare rates
accorded visitors on such occasions, the seduc-
tive inducement of ten per cent. on gross pas
senger receipts to the church, providing only
This offer was not to be accorded to Westmn-
ster An effort was made to induce Mr.. Bond,
Division Passenger Agent of that road, TO re-
consider his discriminating proposal, and this
he finally did by agreeing to withdraw 1t and
substitute in lieu thereof donation to the
church that would be equal to the ten per
cent 1t appears that this well-known and
very unfortunate corporation is a member OF
the Trunk Line Association, which forbIds
special rebates, and the only way to escape
violation of the provisions of the Common
Contract on the part of the B. and o. road
was and is the proposition of Mr.. Bond. Its
acceptance practically places the German
Baptist Church, so far as holding this meet
ing is concerned, in the hands OF railroad
that is now in the hands of receivers.
Annual Meeting is a very expensive affair,
and its managers have always been careful IS
to its location. At Hagerstown, in 1891,
5000 were received from the several railroads
from the ten per cent. on passenger traffic to
the meeting. Of this amount the Baltimore
Il Ohio road paid $500. The receipts out
side of the amount received from railroads,
fell short of the payment of the expenses of
the meeting, hence the importance of 'fnan-
cial management"
The ''stand and deliver proposition of the
Baltimore l. Ohio road has aroused consider
able feeling among the brotherhood in this
county. Heretofore it was supposed that the
church, through its delegates and committees,
could say where the meeting should be locat-
ed. Now a new factor appears in the shape
of railroad corporation attempting to dictate
where the place shall be. This conduct
naturally has compelled conference with other
roads and explains the postponement of final
action.
After the conference the committee on
Wednesday were entertained at the Montour
House.