The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-06

since 1850 there has been a decrease in the
rate below that Of the preceding year, so that
from an average per ton-mlle Of 06S5 cents in
1sSg the rate fell 10 o. 400 cents in 1885 and
last year TO o 47s the lowest point ever reached
As may be supposed. railway managers have not
seen this constant reduction without serious con-
Germ or without making strenuous efforts 10 check
the downward movement. These efforts have
met with but little success, and although no
commercial necessity has recently existed for
such reductions. and certainly not during the
Uast year when the industries Of the country
enjoyed a prosperity almost unprecedented, and
when the facilities Of the railways were taxed
10 the utmost the fall in rates has still con
tinued. Had the railway companies not been
able 70 meet the dminuiiOn in tie ton-mile rate
By corresponding reduction IN eNpeusos, dlsls-
trous results must have followed But there is
a limit, and il cannot be far of, 90 the possible
lesseniug Of the Gust Of movement The only
alternative is to arrest the reduction in revenue,
which has been largely brought about by APP
parcntlv uncomfortable conflicts between the rail
way companies, and between rival communities.
II must be admitted that the situation Is com
phcattd. The problems involved IN dealing with
traffic questions covering so vast territory, and
affecting so many diversified interests, are trouble
some and intricate, but they arr n0t incapable
Of solution, and it is believed that hy earnest
and united effort the difficulties IN the way may
be met and overcome. With this end in view,
and to establish closer relations between the
ayers Of the trunk lines, it has seemed wise 20
YOUR Board TO acquire an interest IN some Of the
railways reaching the seahO2rd, and 10 unite
with the other shareholders who control those
properties in supporting a conservative policy.
This viii, it is hoped, result In securing reason
able and stable rates and do away with unjust
Determinations that the inevitable results OF
the course that has heretofore been pursued.
Aside from the indirect benefits thus sought 10
be gained. il is believed that these holdings will
as investments be directly profitable.
The contract with the Puilman's Palace Car
Company. under which its equipment was run on
your passenger trains, being about to expire,
new and satisfactory agreement was concluded
with that Company taking effect January /, 1900,
and running for fifteen years. under which ma
terlal saving in expenses viii nuTe to benefit.
The two ferry companies operating between
Philadelphia and Camden were consolidated dur
ing the last year into the Philadelphia and Cam
den Ferry Company, thus securing more eco
nomics and efec tive service and further strength
ching the financial condition OF the property.
After careful consideration for number of
years. a Pension Department has been created,
having for its object the retirement from service
Of all officers and employees who have attained
the age Of seventy years or who being between
the ages Of sixty-fye and seventy years, shall
have been thirty years in service and be physi-
caliy disqualified. The pension allowance ia based
upon length Of service and average pay during
the ten years preceding retirement, and the
sum Of $3.50, 900 per annum is fixed the maxi
mum amount Of the Company's annual payment
In connection with the establishment Of this
department. the Relief Fund assumes the pay
meHt Of all benefits 10 its members, and thus re-
lievos the Company from the annual disburse-
ment Of r considt rahe sum heretofore paid out
Of It's treasury TO employees who, having received
benefits from the Fund for hfty-two weeks,
had no longer any claim thcreupou
In order TO insure as fax as practicable that en-
ploy's shall possess the physical qualifications
necessary for the performance q their duties it
has also been determined that, except in certain
specified cases where the interests OF the Com
pany clearly require it, no person who is over
thrty-fve years Of age shan be taken into the
service. Resolutions covering the action Of the
Board concerning these matters will be presented
with this report for the action OF the share
holders
In consequence Of the adoption Of the pension
schedule, Mr.. George ". l. Ball Chief Con
veyancer, and Mr. J. 4. Anderson. Superintcnd-
ent OF the Relief Department. both long and
honorably connected with the lines OF your sys-
ten. were placed on the retired list. January ].
1900. Mr.. Ball had been associated with the
Esaffic, Legal, and Real Estate
Departments Of the Company for over tbirty-eight
years, and in his position especially Chief Con
yeyancer had rendered invaluable service in solv
ing the many complicated questions affecting the
titles to your property. Mr.. Andersen had been
over fifty years in service. from his employment
in 1875 az rodman in the location of the Bel
Fidcre Delaware Railroad, to his promotion in
1872 to be Superintendent OF that Division, his
appointment as Superintendent OF the Voluntary
Relief Department in January, 1886 and his serv-
Ice as such until his retirement He had had
practical charge Of the administration Of that de-
ldIlnltut uuIlAk tldt ptfluuf anu hdu ptIloTHlcu
he exacting duties growing out Of the disburse-
nent Of a sum now amounting yearly to about |
hrce-qusrters Of million OF dollars, with signal |
lbilty and success.
Mr.. Holmes D. Ely was promoted to be superiu- |
endent Of the Voluntary Relief Department, and |
Mr.. Matthias Homer, Assistant Superintendent |
hereof The Office OF Chief Conveyancer having |
,een abolished, and the position OF Assistant Real
Estate Agent created, Mr.. Benjamin W. Carskad- |
lon appointed to the latter position.
The Board have TO record the death Of one Of |
heir oldest and most honored members, Mr.. |
Nlexsnder Bidde, on May ?. 1869. Mr.. Bidde |
isd been 2 Director Of the Company since March |
q, 1874. and during his long connection there
With had given it the benefit Of his wise counsel,
ipc judgment, and long experience His stain
ess integrity. conscientious discharge Of duty. /
nd high courage won FOR him the warm regard /
4 bis associates who lost valued colleague and /
rue friend
Mr.. r Dewitt Cuyler was elected member Of
he Board, May 10, 1899, 10 I'll the vacancy
aused by Mr. BidnCs death
On the 5th q june the Company also lost by
eath its President, Mr.. Frank Thomson in the /
sth year OF his age Mr.. Thomson's Illness |
.hich was contracted while inspecting the lines
{ Your Western System. may thus seem TO have
ttlnglN closed a career devoted 70 Your service |
LAYING entered the shops at Altoona as an
pprentice when but seventeen years old, he had
-itn the exception Of the period spent IN the
Hillary Transportation Department Of the Gov
rLment during the civil war. given HE active
lie 10 the Company Appointed az Superiutend- |
ut Of the Eastern Division Of the Philadelphia |
nd Erie Railroad in 1864 he was successfully |
superintendent Of Motive Power OF your Com
any. its General Manager, Second and First Vice ]
resident until February 3, 1897. when he was
ected President. His connection with the Trans
ortston Department was marked by a mastery
T the problems connected with the improvement
/ the motive power, and the establishment OF
Ugh standard for the construction and main
anance Of track; while his duties as Chief Of the
rathc Department, and in direct charge Of the
.lations with connecting lines, had especially
tied him 10 meet the complicated questions grow
* OUT Of the competition OF rival and con- |
letting interests. Mr.. Thomson was untiring in
re performance Of duty, and in placing on record
leir appreciation Of the exceptional ability. |
lund judgment, and fidelity with which he per-
rmed the trusts confded to him. the Board
asire also to pay deserved tribute to the charm
" personal traits that won the affection and
'teem Of his associates.
Mr. Alexander j. Cassatt, a member Of Your |
card, vas on the 9th Of June. elected President |
succeed Mr.. Thomson, and Mr.. James McCrea |
as elected to I'LL the vacancy in the Board.
In accordance with the revised organization |
iopted June Il, the office OF First Assistant to
he President having been abolished, Mr.. Samuel |
ca was elected an additional member Of the
oard to act az Fourth Vice President
Mr. Charles A. Chipley having on the lst Of |
ay, after nearly twenty wears Of faithful and
Cacting service in the Freight Department Of
he Company, resigned his position General
reight Agent IN charge Of local traffic, aud the
'-'i''H petIl Aul tiltl aHte4iuehs MI |
1hn u. Ihayer' IT,, was appointed General
'eight Agent, and Mr.. George D. Dixon Assist ,
1t General Freight Agent.
Mr. William j. Laita, who had been connected
it'll the transportation Department OF the Com
my Tor nearly thirty wears, and had filled the
sponsible position Of General Agent 81 Phila-
alpha since July I. 1883, with signal ability !
I'd advantage 10 the service having resigned
lgust g. 1900, TO engage in other pursuits that /
'sitlon was abolished, and the jurisdiction Of
I. d. II. Lowell. Superintendent Of the Philadei
ia Terminal Division, extended 20 embrace th-
titles formerly devoying upon the General Agent