Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-26
RAILWAY PROGRESS.
Important Work Being Done BY the
American Railway Association.
HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION.
Though Bot an Infant I'm Years, II
Ii n Giant in Power, Which Ii
Yields for the Protection OF the
Travelling and shipping Public.


to the presidency OF the American Ran
way Association, which was exclusively
announced in the Dispatch last sunday is
looked upon with favor by railroad men
throughout the country. who recognize IN
Major Myers a thorough, practical. rail-
road official. who Is well quallfied to take
the helm of so important an organization
as is the American Association.
Major Myers has been lifelong resi-
dent OF Richmond, and has, though In
quiet, transformations fashion. been large
w instrumental in the development OF this
city. He has been connected with the
Richmond. Fredericksburg and Potomac
railroad since the organization Of thai.
line. and is now in addition 10 being pres
ident of that road. connected with the Al
lantic-Coast Line in an official capacity.
HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION.
The American Railway Association, o.
which he is now president, was formed
ten years ago under another name-tne
General Time Conventional Cpcrnau.
Previous 10 that time there had Teen TWO
distinct bodies, the one called the General
Time Convention, and the other the SCUM
ern Railway Time Convention, ana II was
the custom Of these organizations twice
year 10 fix the schedules for the winter
and summer seasons. When they combined
into one body, the list comprised over ntty
companies. The objects OF the association
have been declared to be. not only 10 de-
eide upon the dates upon which general
changes in schedules should take eject,
but the development and solution or pro
blems connected with railroad manage
ment in the mutual interest or the rail-
road companies Of America
Mr.. George w. Parker. the then presi-
dent Of an important western railroad,
was elected the first president. He was
succeeded twelve months afterwards by
Colonel II. S. Haines, then the general
manager Of the extensive system then
known as the Savannah, Florida ana
Western. now as the Plant system. MI.
w. Il. Allen, editor OF the Official Railway
Guide, was elected secretary. and he sun
holds that Office. The body then en-
braced more than one hundred and sixty
comnanies, operating over one hundred
thousand miles Of road. In April, 1891, the
name Of the organization was changed to
"The American Railway Association" the
mileage represented at that time being
125,cOO. At the date OF the recent meeting
In Cincinnati the mileage had grown TO
nearly $4,000.
ACCOMPLISHED MANY THINGS.
The association has, during the decade
just ended, accomplished the adoption or
STANDARD time" throughout the United
States, the admirable effects OF which
are recognized In every community; the
establishment OF a standard code or
train rules, and the classification OF
train signals, a great advance upon the
somewhat heterogeneous practice thereto
|. fore prevailing: a uniform system Tor
the movement OF trains by Geographic
orders, by which It is difficult TO say
how much expedition has been enhanced
and how much property and many lives
have been protected; the adoption or such
safety appliances as steam-heating, au-
tomato air brakes, automatic car coup
lings and hand-holds or grab-irons upon
| freight cars, matters OF such importance
that they have not only been mentioned
| IN messages OF the President OF the
United States. but have been the subjects
| Of legislation by Congress, the American
Railway Association being by that body
specifically recognized. Through them
the prevailing rapid movement or freight
trains has been rendered possible. The
| compensation for the Interchange OF cars
has also been reduced to system by
this association.
The last important measure consum-
mated was the declaration OF certain prin-
ciples and requisites, and the adoption
OF standard rules for the operation Of
what Is known in railroad parlance as
'block signalling years ago but
| little understood, but since that time
grown into extensive use and destined
to become well nigh universal.
A WORLDWIDE REPUTATION.
The American Railway Association now
! enjoys a reputation, so to speak, world
wide. 1t was represented by a strong
delegation. headed by its president at
| the International Congress in London
| last summer which aroused abroad an I'm
| terest in American methods. machinery,
and appliances altogether unprecedented.
| 1t is said TO have been most ably, indeed,
brilliantly managed by its outgoing
president, Colonel Haines, whose resig-
nation was made inevitable by his ceas-
ing TO be an officer Of any railroad COM
pany. He now occupies the very distin-
| guished and responsible position Of Com
missioner of the Southern States Freight
| Association. He was succeeded on the 18th
instant In the office of president OF the
| American Railway Association by Ma
| jor Il. r. d. Myers. and IL IL safe to pre-
dict that his executive career viii be
equally as brilliant as was that OF his