Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-26
BROTHERHOOD B. |. E.
Another Big Convention Will be
Held In Norfolk.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
win Hold Their Noxt Convention Hero
"A Three Weeks session-About Two
Thousand Visitors Are Expected.

U
brotherhood OF Locomotive Engineers
which is now just ending three weeks
session in Milwaukee, Wis, will be held
in Norfolk.
The convention is one Of the best that
a city could secure, since it will draw a
crowd of probably 1000 people or more
who stay not for three or four days
but for about three weeks. The value
of this convention to Norfolk may be
realized when 1t Is known that Mem
phis, Tenn. was willing to put up $50, 900
10 secure it.
The conventions Of the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers are BIZ ennial.
The next convention Will be held in Nor
folk in 1902. about two years from now.
HOW 1T WAS SECURED.
Norfolk secured this convention with
but little effort, which shows what she
could do by making efforts to get con-
ventions. 1t was principally through
the efforts of Mr.. A. NJ. Cousins, of the
Norfolk & Western railroad, that Nor
folk secured the convention. Mr.. Cous-
ins Is Il delegate to the Milwaukee con-
vention foom the locomotive engineers.
He holds some Office in the organiza-
ton. The matter of bringing the con-
Mr.. Cousins reached Milwaukee. After
he got there and saw several other
cities struggling for ii he determined 10
work for Norfolk. He wrote to Presi-
dent Hudgins, OF the Board of Trade
and -Bt's:rcss Mems Association. and
several kilograms passed between them.
with the result that yesterday Mayor
Johnston received the following tee-
gram from Milwaukee:
Was successful in winning the b. of
l.. e. convention for Norfolk. Lot Col
Hudgins know. a. NJ. COUSINS"
THE CORRESPONDING
Below are presented extracts from a
letter sent to President Hudgins. Of the
Business Mems Association, ny Mr.
Cousins. which are interesting as Civ
ing some idea of the size of the conven-
ton, etc:
Il beg to ask you to wire me IL you
can. and ct once. II the hotels will give
our people rates. and what rates, at
first-class fare in every respect I
would advise YOU to see Mr.. Stokes at
the Monticelo.as 1t would be proba BILE
that we would make our headquarters
there If we should get the convention.
Aslo let me know II our city would fur
nish hall to meet in, say three to four
weeks. 1t would take either the Acade-
my or the old opera house to hold us.
There would also have to be hall provld-
ed for the Ladies' Auxiliary. as they
meet in the same town and at the same
time. say four to five hundred strong.
Our deleEa ties to the B. of l., e, here
Oumber 507. This says nothing OF the
visiting brothers and sisters to each
order. which over doubles both orders
....- L am sorry to say that we are
somewhat late in asking for the con-
vention. as several cities are making
n desperate effort to get 1t. Memphis. l
understand will put IN $4,000 for it,
but / find this is one serious objection
ut this time in the town Paying the
most. as we have had eXtortion prac-
ticed on us very badly by the hotels
here. Nothing less than Sc to $3.50 per
day at any good house. The hotels
alone here put UP $4,000 for this con-
vention. and this IS why we are paying
for it,"
In his letter, Mr.. Cousins says that
n dozen cities were clamoring for the
convention. Some of them were giving
away souvenirs. Memphis, for in
stance. gave the delegates n souvenir
pin with diminutive bale of cotton on
1t. Mr. Cousins worked hard for Nor
folk. with no help other than the as
surance of the Business Mcn's Asso-
cha ton of Norfolk to see that the con
Ventlon was properly cared Tor IT II
came here.
ENTERTAINMENT ASSURED.
When his first letter was received the
hotel managers were conferred with,
and they were enthusiastic in their as
surance of cooperation in entertaining
the convention. Suitable meeting places
for the convention proper and the La
dies Auxiliary, and plenty of amuse-