The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-06-03
NATIONAL 7. P. A. MEETS.
Presidents Report Shows the Order
to Be in a Flourishing Condition.

Nashville. Tenn, June 3.-The Ma
tional Travellers Protective association
met yesterday, President John A. Lee
presiding. The attendance was large
President Lee read kilograms from the
presidents of a number of railroads re-
plying to invitations sent them to be
present. All of them regretted that
they could not accept the invitation
Several governors also sent regrets.
The national board of directors re-
ported Ills members in good standing
in the national association. They also
reported that there We're no unpaid
death claims against the association
now. The report of President Lee was
ordered received. 1t was not read, how
ever, as the delegates had been furnish
ed with printed copies.
He was pleased to advise that the
association, despite the unfavorable
business conditions, had made an in
crease in membership and financial
gain and considerable progress in the
various depart Tnentss .ofyzeo-operatjY
and mutual beneficial works. There
had been a gain of 373 members dur
ing the last fiscal year and since May
1 of this year 260 members had been
added. The larger divisions, Missouri,
illinois, Indiana, Texas, Tennessee and
Wisconsin, had not materially gained.
the increase being in the smaller di-
visions, especially Pennsylvania, GeOr-
gta and Iowa, which showed a net gain
of 379. The Pennsylvania division had
more than doubled its mem berShip, Sc
curing IT'S, a larger number than any
other and was therefore entitled to
the horns No new division had been
organized during the year and the
charter of one division, Michigan, had
been revoked, the membership having
lapsed below the limit. The present
mem bership was II, 1S9. New posts had
been established at Jacksonville and
Pensacola, Fla; Davenport, Ia; KO-
komo, Ind; Lagrange and Galveston,
Tex; Natchez, Miss, and Green Bay,
Wis.
The financial report would show that
the association had in bank May l,
1897, 50 SO more than at the same date
last year, the total balance May 1, 1897,
The benefit fund was now kept en-
tirely separate from the expense fund,
was absolutely inviolable, and could not
be used except for the payment OF in
demnity or death loss. The fund had
been increased by a transfer OF $5OO
surplus from the expense fund. The
total expense for all purposes was ST.
422, the ordinary expense for conduct
ing the affairs Of the association being
S16 367-a per capita OF S1-46, as cOIl-
jared with 81 the previous year
There was paid during the year Tor
indemnity and death $50. 720. No claims
which are regarded as just were IN
paid. The future of the association
was one of great value and usefulness,
not only from the mutual and protect
i've standpoint, but because 1t was to-
day one of the most spowertnl ana IN
f1uential commercial organizations in
the world. It's possibilities were grand
and now that all its difficulties and VI
cissitudes had been overcome, stand
ms as 1t did upon q basis of financial
Stability and perpetuity, # should rap
idIv extend it's membership until 1t be-
came. not alone national, but lnterna-
tiOuaI in its scope and covering All tne
oo,-,ofrias of the American continent.
Several prominent railroad officials
be5 heen invited to attend the conven-
ton and to place before the members in
- - ire concessions and facilities for
Which the association was contending
in order that they might have inforTna-
ton from both sides of the question al9 %
be thereby guided 70 the A0op 'AOAA y
wise and just policies