Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-27

new members. Jnere are many WHO ihlb"t
be induced TO join us. and whose names
would lend influence 10 the association,
even II they could not attend all OF our
meetings or serve on committees.
GOOD OFFICERS IMPORTANT.
Great care should be exercised in the
selection of officers. ana members vi
committees, especially the Executive
Committee. The highest usefulness OF
the association depends upon the zeal
and work Of its officers and committees;
and this usefulness IS greatly incredseI
bv fun attendance Of the members Vi
committees az all meetings. Commute
work by correspondence ia usually NSIy
unsatisfactory. TO be elected q neihDol
of q committee should be regarded rs q"
honor but the honor carries with lt IN
Dortant duties, one Of the most iHlporI
tant OF which is TO be present at an
meetings. and this duty ought not 10 De
neglected. / suggest, therefore, thal ~
the selection of members OF commute
the ability 20 attend committee mecliIaS
be considered. Every member OF The as
ISOLATION should be encouraged TO De
come an active member BY appointment
on some committee. but with the under-
standing that he win contribute proper
time and energy to the work.
Reductions TO the Executive Coihiilt-
tee and rcappOintments 10 standing COM
mittces should be maze only Wnen II Il
evident that the best interests OF me
association will be advanced lheIcDs'
tions 10 the rule Of rotation in once.
/ cannot. in this short address. 40 JUS
tice TO the committees VINO nave pseiI
serving us during the past year, DuI
would refer you 10 their reports. wiz VIZ
only say that we have been particularly
fortunate I'm the personnel OF the COM
mittees. and that great credit IS que
them for the zeal and energy whlcn they
have put into their work. Ihere mas Deen
fun attendance at all meetings ana
the result is plainly manifested by the
work accomplished.
WORK OF THE YEAR.
The work Of the Executive Committee
was more Onerous than usual \ number
Of important subjects were considered,
end the committees report iully SETS
forth the action taken IN respect TO each.
4 classification of construction eN-
penses has been formulated. and its adop-
tion bv the association is earnestly Ie-
commended.
The questions as TO train and locomo-
tive mileage referred to TINS committee
bv resolutions adopted at the last annual
meeting We're referred TO special com
,nittee to formulate n schedule OF ihe
various classes of mileage. together Win
explanations rs to what constitute edoh'
ard the rules Of computation. rms SUI
ioc+ was brought uD so near the close OF
the last meeting of the committee that IL
could not receive the attention when us
importance seemed to deserve. II was
therefore. deemed advisable to asaln re-
Ger the subject to the Executive Commit
tee for further consideration ana report
TO the association.
your 9ttention is especially invited 10
the committees recommendation III tne
ninth section OF the TepOrtTNlZ., thdL ~
ticlc ". of the constitution pe SO aiil ~
al ms to give each member or the Assoc
citation the right TO vote on all questions
coming before it. in the effort 10 pre-
pare q voting list in ACCORDANCE WIN
Article ". the committee iouhd On ~
eurunounfable difficulty I'm attempting 10
satisfactorily interpret the word sys-
tom " The limitation to the FRANCHISE
provided for i'm Article ~. may haNe
been wise as a precautionary measure ~
the time when the constitution was adopt
al v-hen we were all comparative
strangers to each other, and before me
ecoDe and character of our ASSOCIATION
had become so clearly impressed upon
the minds Of its members 6ut nine
years have materially changed these con-
dtions. and it seems to me That our SN
norfence has clearly demonstrated that
we may now safely trust the unlimited
franchise 20 every member.
COMPILING MILEAGE REPOklo'
At the last annual meeting the presi,,
dent was authorized TO appoint q speCIdi
committee OF five to inquire into the me
,bCI M comDiling mileage reports. ana
10 request the InternauOnal AssocldtiiIoI
Of car Accountants TO appoint a slinlif
committee to meet with our comIHl1HSe
Cor n full discussion Of this subject. Inc
report OF our special committee on car
accounting is submitted with the I-Necu-
tive Committees report. An lnNltaloiss
has been extended TO the commute 81
tho International Association OF Car ~
counf9nts 10 be present at this meeting
and we extend TO its members a most
cordial welcome. .,.,, u,o In
I'm regard TO conferences win w -:
tcretqtp Commerce Commission ana ~
HNVFaHl
statistician ana State ralIIodI -
gioners. have TO inform you that q spe-
c!ql committee Of our association VIZ
present nj the National Convention OF
Interstate and State Railroad Cohinll--
eio0ers. held at st. Louis May il, 1871.
Tha officers of the Interstate Commerce
Commission and railroad commissioners
received us. as usual with marked couIIe-
ey and accorded as the privilege OF lHc
floor i'm the discussion OF all qucS 'lonS
coming before the convention, ana w
right to vote on questions pertaining 10
accounts. \ sketch of the proceedings ~
This convention ana the papers redI
there will be found in the report OF
your Executive Committee.
Special attention is invited 10 the acupn
taken and the recommendation made ny
+hat convention i'm respect TO proposed
amendment of the Interstate Commerce
act which. if enacted INTO law, WouIu
onuoycr the Interstate Commerce COM
mission thrOugl special Bureau GA
Statistics and Accounts. TO exert re-
striction and control over the accolnuiB
OF an railroad companies subject 70 JUS
jurisdiction, and TO prescribe monthly ie-
pOrts and regular examinations OF tue
companies books by special examiners
i1rIar the commission. This is matter
of such grave importance 10 the railroad
conpanies Of this country. that IL should
receive the attention which it deserves
BUSINESS BEFORE PLEASURE.
The reports Of your committees present
many questions which should commahi
vour most earnest and patient conside-
ration and / trust that YOU Will not GUY
ebort the session out OF anxiety 10 ger
back TO your regular duties. nor permit
Yourselves 20 fall into the hands Of your
very seductive and obiging committee
ON Arrangements, until you have gwen
proper attention to all matters when
may come before you.
TO the chairmcn and members OF con-
nittees | owe special acknowledgment
for their jealous and efficient cO-opela-
ton. Their work has been onerous, ana
has called for the sacrifice OF much tline
ond porsOnal convenience. but the una
nimitv and promptness Of the response
10 every call was most gratifying. ana
to my mind, constitute The strongest evil
dence that the benefits to be derived
from an active membership In our asso-
citation are real and substantial, and tnat
each succeeding year reveals hiBher
appreciation OF them.
I'm conclusion, gentlemen. ! must ac-
knowledge my sincere gratitude 10 you
all for your hearty support and co-Opefa-
lion during the past year. and | assure
YOU that your kindness and regard for
me will ever be cherished. Not that l
feel deserving Of this regard. and OF the
great distinction which you have confer
rel upon me although. having laborod
choorfully and consclentiously to ad-
vance the interests Of our association, Ii
viii be a source OF great pleasure in the
1..t,.r.. - lonk laolk and 10 fool TINT my