The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-17

seems on the face Of It to themselves a
portion OF their earnings without mature
| consideration. and the OILY criticism We
! have to offer al this time on the passehes'
| men is that they turn down our pIVfOs,,
| tion as a general one without giNas VAN
reasons. or inviting us TO demons'tau az so
their satisfaction how this could ov i,
| tho railroads. Your committee fespeeuNi.'
| suggests that II be given absolute Au'NN'
| ity on all matters touching on ih'eiVu .'''
with the railroad companies on any ques
| ton. and when any question CORRECTED
with this department comes up win an!
| OF our officers. or different posts. that IL "
| referred 10 this committee for action VITA
| the advice OF the board Of directors We
| look with some alarm on Independent Ae-
| tion being taken by individual posts thA'
| would seriously embarrass this committee
In its uegotiaticns, and we thlnk your
| honorable body can readily understand the
practical wisdom of this request. Until
these matters are concentrated IN the
hands OF this committee, our efforts VIII
always be more or less futile. and what
ammunition We have will be scattered.
This subject OF reduced price OF pas
senger transportation and Interchangeable
mileage has for many years veNed tAe
minds OF both members Of this organization
of other States, AID railroad men VINO nave
grown old in service. without bringing d
satisfactory solution. and ycur committee
would like to see the Texas division stand
as one solid phalanx for conservatism
moderation and justice In dealing with this
question. 1t has been matter OF consider
able qualification, as well as instruction.
TO us TO hear Of the success Of our orsanl2a-
ton In other States on this question but
we must meet the question in Texas only
from the standpoint OF local environments
and conditions. We believe that the sale Of
an interchangeable mileage book by Texas
lires at cents per mile would not reduce
the revenue of the railroad companies, and
we believe in exhaustng every resource
and all the ability that the concerted ac-
ton and wisdom of this organization can
command before resorting TO any severer
or more stringent methods Of handling this
question. Knowing that every individual
member of this division is interested in this
vital question and wishes for its consum
nation satisfactorily, we earnestly ask for
concerted and united action on the method
of handling this question Your committee
asks this organization in convention as
sembled for all OF its suggestions and wis
dom In getting nearer solution and set
tlement Of the mileage question in Texas.
We deem II unnecessary to dwell upon ir-
relevant detail covering the question in
this report. all of which is no doubt more
or less familiar to every member of the
division, but have pertec, faith in its
ultimate solution by The wisdom, unity
and loyalty. tempered with iuiiciousness
Your committee begs to further report
that on March 6. 1897 We addressed a let-
ter to every general passenger agent in
Texas, requesting a IS maximum rate from
all poists to our annual convention at
Houston. Our success on this vas only
partial. but We did get rate less than has
ever before been accorded in this matter
All the railroads addressed seemed to show
a cordial interest in concedlng TO us the
very best rate they could. Ny. CASTOR Mes
lior, general passenger agent Of the Texas
and Pacific. was the only general PASSENGER
agent in Texas who completely ignored our
request. The rate obtained you are all, no
doubt, familiar with.
The above will cover the extent Of our
labors for this division up TO this time In
conclusion W. beg to make the following
recommendations:
That this division, in convention as
semhled. pass a suitable resolution asking
in the name Of this organization of the
legislature Of Texas that the law requiring
railroad conductors to collect 1 cents rer
mile for passengers who beard trains with
out tickets, be Immediately repealed
We also recommend that this division
adopt suitable resolution making II
punishable ofiense for the railroads to use
what IS known as the gate system" in
this State
Your committee contcmplatos taking M
The matter of an interchangeable mileage
book again at an early day. and also the
lhest'cl OF IL week end rate FOR all travel
ns mon so that IL possible. they may
pend Sundays at home Respectfully sub
ultted.
,signed) Albert p. Foute