Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-04
MEET IN RICHMOND
AMERICAN RAILWAY ASSOCIATION
CONVENEs HERE TUESDAY.
NiJOR E. T. D. MYERS IS PRESIDENT
Hc VIII Probably BE REFLECTED TO
This Honorable OGicc-Representa-
dives Coming in Private Cars-The
ORGANIZATIONS History.

on Tuesday there viii assemble ut the
J.1erson a distinguished boty of rail-
ro.l-meu. Who come from all portions
OF America and almost every State u
re Union TO attend the session Of the
American Railway Association.
Almost every railroad ON the continent
holds membership in this association,
and they VIII be represented only by
their presidents or general managers.
1ai0r Z. r. ID. Myers, Of the Atlantic
Coast Line. is president Of the associa-
u.1. an honor conferred on him at the
last annual meeting Of the body. and #
i- highly probable that he viii be re-
elected at this meeting.
The session here Will extend over
r.rol Of three days. and while great
deal OF business VIII Doe transacted in
that Time some hours will be devoted 20
pleasure and ARRANGEMENTS are now
making for the reception Of the distin-
aff-le1 visitors many OF whom viii come
iu their private cars.
HISTORY or THE ASSOCIATION.
The American Railway Association was
formed eleven years ago under another
uame-the General Time Conventional
Cincinnati Previous 10 that time there
had been two distinct bodies, the one
called the General Time Convention aad
the other the Southern Railway Time
Convention. and IL was al me 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 fifty com
parles. The objects OF the association
have been declared 10 be not only 10
decide upon the dates upon which gen
eral changes IN schedules should take
effect. but the development and solution
OF problems connected with railroad man
agemcut Zoo the mutual interest OF the
railroad companies Of America.
Mr.. George w. Parker the then presi-
dent OF an important western railroad,
vas elected the first president. lie 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. Mr..
W. r. Allen editor OF the Official Rail-
way Guide, was elected secretary. and ne
stil holds that office. The body then
embraced more than one hundred and
sixty companies, operating oven one
hundred thousand miles Of road. In
April. 1871. the name Of The organization
was changed 10 "The American Railway
association" the mileage REPRESENTED
q, the time being 1900. At the date
of the meeting in New York. last fan
trs mileage had grown 10 l5j.0&
ACCOMPLISHED MANY THINGS.
The association has. during the decade
115t ended. accomplished the adoption Of
standard time" throughout the United
States. tic admirable effects Of which
are recognized IN every community; the.
Establishment OF a standard code Of
train rules. and the classification Of
train signals, q great advance upon the |
somewhat heterogeneous practice tuore- |
ii0re prevailing, a uniform system for /
ue movement OF trains by telegraphic I
orders by which IL IS difficult 10 say /
low much expedition has been enhanced T
end how much property and many lives /
have been protected; the adoption Of such /
tiy appliances as stcam-hcating. au- /
tom4tic air-brakcs. automatic car coup
Anes. ana hand-hOlds, or grab-irons upon /
Ife.ghf-cars. matters OF such Importance .
That they have not only been mentioned .
SD messages OF the President Of the
United States. but have been the sub
.e.s of legislation by Congress. the
American Railway Association being
ty that body specifically recOg-
hzei Through them the prevailing ra-
d. movement Of freight trains has been
rendered possible. The compensation
Tor tho interchange Of cars mas also
been reduced 70 a system by this associa-
Ton.
ADOPTED BLOCK SIGNALS.
The last important measure consun-
mated was the declaration Of certain
Principles and requisites. and the adop-
yen OF standard rules for the operation
what Is known 10 RAILROAD parlance
o. block signalling" years ago but
mile understood. but since that time
uV"h into extensive use and destined
p" become well nigh universal.
ne American Railway Association now
....oys reputation. 80 10 speak. world
Ne' IL was represented by a strong :