Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-20

Mr.. JOSEPH II. CUMMINS,
CThe Newly-ElecteG President)
welcome the visitors. and participating in
one Of the discussions.
THE MORNING SESSION.
The morning session was devoted largely
10 the discussion of papers pertaining to
matters Of interest 10 the association, but
before this business was gone into Major
Myers made his address of welcome. The
Major was introduced by Mr. Joseph NJ.
Staten. of the Chesapeake and Ohio, and
delivered a highly interesting address.
directing his remarks chiefly to the diff
ference between the aids and informa-
tion now at the disposal of the builders OF
railroads and those which obtained in
the middle of the century. Any question
that now rises, the speaker continued, or
any apparent difficulty that may present
itself can be easily disposed Of while in
former days the settling of those difficult
ties through discussion was never thought
Of. Major Myers then spoke words of
welcome, and in most hosptable terms
babe them welcome TO Virginia and 10
Richmond
The address was responded TO by Mr.
George w. Andrews. OF the Baltimore and
Ohio. past president of the association.
Mr.. Andrews made a most ornate and APP
propriate address.
REPORTS ARE DISCUSSED.
This pleasant feature Of the meeting
being disposed Of, the matter OF reports
was taken up. and the deferred report on
cattle guards and wing fences" was read
and a lively discussion engaged in. 'Pile
Rings and the Methods OF Protecting
Pile-Heads in Driving" was next dis
cussed, and then a paper on the Cost
and Manner of Putting in Pipe Culverts
was read. This subject was also freely
discussed. and Major Myers participated
in IT, making a statement showing care
full study Of the matter He advocated a
more extensive use for railroad work OF
brick culverts. similar to city sewers, In
Mace Of vitrifed pipe, now so extensively
used on railroads. The point the speaker
made was that pipe sewer, to be reliable,
would have TO be laid on good founda-
ton. and have level wall projections. the
same as brick culverts. In his expert
ence he had always found that bricks
were cheaper than pipe.
STRUCTURES OF ANCIENT TIME.
In support of his argument the speaker
referred extensively TO Roman structure
of ancient times, the pyramids and old
European bridges and TO the fact that
burned clay was used thousands OF years
ago. as shown in explorations OF ancient
cities.
At the conclusion of Major Myers re-
marks the meeting adjourned.
The members. together with their ladies',
then repaired to the Westmoreland club |
where by special appointment they met |
General Fitzhugh Lee. General Lee ad-
dressed them briefly, and in pleasant |
terms extended them a cordial welcome to |
the city. Mr.. Andrews replied in behalf |
or the association in a few well-chosen |
words. General Lee, in the course Of his
referred TO the work of bridge |
builders and very happily made the point !
that other bridge-builders had been to |
work In the past year, and they had con- |
structed vast bridge across Masons and |
Dixon's line, over the chasm which mad |
divided the country. He expressed him. |
self as well pleased that secuonalism was |
passing away, and hoped soon TO see the |
dav when the country would have forgot |
ten the issues which divided 1t, and would |
stand as one people under one flag, united. |
TRIBUTE TO LEES COURAGE.
Mr.. Andrews in his response. paid a |
high tribute to General Lees service in |
Cuba. asserting that for the courage he |
had displayed there he had the thanks for
The entire country. He thanked the Gene
raj for the kind words he had spoken, and |
expressed the wish that Mrs. Lee would
soon be restored 10 health and strength.
Returning 10 the hotel, the members re-
paired promptly to the convention hall.
and business was resumed. Papers were
.ead on the following subjects and dis
,ussed at length:
Railroad Highway-Crossing Gates"
"What Repairs and How Can They be
Safely Made, 10 Metal and Wooden Spans
without the Use of False Work."
Care of Iron Bridges After Erection
Including Best Method OF Protecting
Them from Injury by Salt Water Drip
pings from Refrigerator-Cars."
'"Turn-Table Construction
THE NEW OFFICERS.
The discussions took but short time
4 the convention, and as soon as the
POINTS raised had been elaborated the
,ody took up the question OF next years
Meeting. and decided to meet In Detroit
rhe election was then gone into. and
Ulcers were chosen as follows: j. H.
,ummin OF the Long Island road. presi-
lent: a. 5. Markley, OF the Chicago and
EASTERN Illinois. first vice-president; c. |
: Mallard. OF the Southern Pacific Sec
nd vice-president; w. A. Rogers.
( the Chicago Milwaukee and
C. Paul. third vce-presdent: Joseph
f. Staten, of the Chesapeake and Ohio.
ourth vice-president; S. f. Patterson OF
he Boston and Maine. secretary and n.
V. Thompson, OF the Plttsburg and Fort
Wayne. treasurer
The Executive Committee was made up
s follows; w. s. Danes OF the Wabash;
II. Markley, OF the Toledo. Peoria
nd Western; w. O. Eggieston. OF the
,hiqego and Erie; X. L. Helm. OF the
and Ohio; It. w. Tanner Of