The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1896-07-10
TWO CENTS A mile
Uniform Rate to Be Enforced
on All Railroads.
PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATPN
Taking UP the Fight in Inter-
est of the Public.

The Travellers Protective Association
of America held its annual tcssvention in
Terre Haute, Ind, last month, which
was attended by representatives from
every state in the Union. AS the order
is largely represented in the state, The
report of Mr. Alexander Kunz, to the
president and members of the Oregon
and Washington division Of the T P. A.,
dated from Chicago, June s, will prove
of interest to all. His report ia lengthy
and comprehensive He fret pays his
compliments to the good people of Indi.
ana, especially the ladies, for the gener-
GUS hospitality extended the delegates,
their wives, daughters and friends.
Terre Haute, be says, was decorated ia
their honor, and nothing was left undone
to provide for their comfort and material
pleasures. Quoting from the report Mr..
KuDz says
Tuesday morning. June 2, the bust.
ness OF the convention commenced, and
the opening consisted of various ad-
dresses. The afternoon was spent
mostly in committee meetings, and
Wednesday morning found US ready or
the real business of the convention The
reports of the different division presidents
were read, and call particular attention
to the one OF Max Robinson, of Savannah,
Ga, whose report was in rhyme. Later
on the reports Of the different committees
were read and received.
1.-THE first to come under discussion
was the one of the railroad and trans.
portation committee, and the Importance
OF the matter caused us to go into execu.
tive session. The came lasted from 4
O'Clock until p. M, and was throughout
animated and sometimes very heated
The treatment we received from the
various railroads and their everlasting
policy OF handing us 'atone' where we
asked for bread, the profound silence
with which all our Communications were
received, at last convinced the members
of our national railroad committee that
they were not on the right road to sue
cess, and that something else lad to be
done, and we must change our modus
opersndi entirely.
1T was resolved that each state,
through its state division, shall introduce
in the next legislature, bill compelling
the various railroads running through
their domain to make cent rate to
everybody. 1t will be readily seen
wherein the change in front exists.
Heretofore, We have petitioaed to get
recognition for the travelling men alone,
for an interchangeable mileage good over
all roads. Today we aek for no class
legislation, but ask these rates for every
body traveller, merchant, farmer, me-
chanic, in fact every person, whether
travelling once year or all the time.
In this way we hope to gain the CO
operation, not only OF individuals, but Of
everybody every man, woman and child
in the United States is interested, and
ought to lend us their support to achieve
the end, which will not only benefit
certain claes, but as before stated, each
individual
1T is to be hoped that our efforts will
be successful, even if We do not gain all
we ask for. At least, wake the railroads
up TO the fact that they have to confront
a'set OF men earnest in their purpose and
pledged to leave no stone unturned until
our just demands are recognized.
Whether or no We are able to gain this
in our territory remains to be seen at
least think it is worth while for ue TO
make an effort, and our railroad com
mittee will receive instructions direct
from headquarters.
There is another point to be consid
cred in this line, and it is that we may
run against charters given by various
states to certain railroad corporations,
which may interfere with fiat 2cent
rate, but there are undoubtedly sufficient
states in the Union wherein no such
charter interferes with reduction of the
existing rate"