Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-06-14

cipal cities of this country, and you
have, by your warm welcome, made us
feel that the local agent Is the biggest
person in Norfolk to-day, with one ex-
ception, and that exception is his wife.
Local agents. are here to-day from
all over the United States. They hail
from the East, the West, the North and
the South. They know no dividing line,
they recognize no Mason and Dixon
line. While at this meeting they will
doubtless forget they have to answer
to any fast freight line. They are pres
emit to mingle with the people Of Nor
folk, to get acquainted with each 9TH
err to interchange opinions, to learn
the practice Of others In handling bust
ness, that they may improve the work
that they are held responsible for at
home. They are here also for recrea-
tion, and to temporarily get away from
the requirements of uniform bill Of
lading.
Some one has aptly said, The real
measure of the public service of rail-
roads Is In the freight business The
duties Of the local freight agent make
him the conservator of the railroad
company. He stands on the line divid-
ing the alleged 'soulless corporation
representing organized capital-from
the Populistic public, who want the
greatest servide for the least money,
serving both with fairness, honor and
loyalty.
The local freight agent guards the
interests OF the railroad company best
by treating the public fairly. The pre-
JUDGE against corporate capital can be
entirely wiped out If representatives of
corporations are honest and equitable
In their dealings with the public. The
wisely managed corporations do not
destroy their business by Gripping or
destroying their patrons. The local
freight agent comes in direct contact
with the public. 1t is his duty to edu-
cate the public. He unites the inter-
ests of the railroad company with that
OF the patron. and l am pleased to say
that the public are rapidly recognizing
that the interests OF the railroad COM
panies and those of the public are de-
pendent upon each other, and what is
for the best interests of the railroad
company Is, as a rule, for the best in
terest of the public.
ITO the local freight agent. whose
duties require him to tramp over team
tracks. freight yards and outside ter
minals, the picturesque and historical
points of interest In this Immediate vi
cinlty cannot but be restful, pleasant
and delightful. The mention of such
honored names as Old Point Comfort.
hampton Roads and Newport News re-
vive memories of the evcr-to-be-re-
membered past and calls wildly TO
mind that little more than one year
ago brave soldier boys from the North
and the South marched forth. shoulder
to shoulder. wearing not either the
Blue or the Gray, but the one uniform.
under the Stars and the Stripes of n
united people. to establish n sovereign
government. on foreign shore. under
the dictates of humanity
From the true welcome that we have
received L am confident that Southern
hospitality prevails the same to-day
as in years gone by. and that the lines,
=" Through this wide opening gate,
None come too early. none return too
late.'
VIII apply 20 Norfolk and her honored
citizens In The entertainment of the
stranger within her gates" (Applause)
MIR. cRowELLs SPEECH.
BY the order of the program an adj
dress by Mr.. NJ. B. Crowell, the Nor
folk agent of the Old Dominion line
came next. and they were entertained
by that gentleman for about twenty
minutes. Mr.. Crowell spoke in a gen.
eral way on transportation. and he
handled his subject in a clear. witty
and breezy style, being often interrupt
ed by applause. He said:
MIR. President and Gentlemen:
Il am sorry that am president OF
the Norfolk Transportation Aesocio-
ton; sorry on my own account, but
more SO on your account 1 am booked
FOR an address to-day, and 1 am not n
speech maker-never made a speech In
my life, and I feel sure that I cannot
interest you. But I am not n nulliner.
OH see 1t happened in this way:
Last winter, when the time arrived for
electing officers. some of the members.
having in mind the holding of this con.
vention in Norfolk, concluded to work
OFF the first office upon an innocent. and
L being of that description was nomi-
mated without opposition for president.
Now, gentlemen, I was born in Ohio
and everyone knows that every male
child born in that State is taught to
expect and believe that some day he
Will be president OF something, conse-
quently 1 made only such feeble obiec-
ton as native modesty suggested. and
here / am.
However. my good friends. am
| more than pleased on behalf of the To-
cal association. to add our most cordlol
greetings to the hearty welcome of
Mayor Johnston. Norfolk is essential
~ transportation center, and n most
hitting place In which to hold a conven-
ton of this kind. We are proud. as
sure you. that our city has been Sc
lected FOR this meeting. We know It is
your habit to select only large citiee
for your meetings, but 1t is our purpose
TO take such good care OF you here. and
TO Show you so many attractions-new
ana interesting to many of you-tba
you will never forget your visit to
Norfolk; and, perhaps, you will come
again.
TRANSPORTATION MADE NOR
y FOLK
Transportation has made Norfolk,
what she is to-day. Transportation has
done great deal for Norfolk. and
Norfolk has done q onraat 49,, -