Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-06

| managers have not seen this constant reduction
Gus efforts to check the downward movement. Thes,
efforts have met with but little success and al
for such reductions. and cerfainly not during tht
| past year. when the industries Of the country en-
| joyed prosperity almost unprecedented and wher
the facilities of the railways taxed to the Mt
NEST. the fall in rates has still continued. Had the
| railway companies not been able to meet the dimi
mutton in the tou-me rate by n corresponding re
duction in expenses. disastrous results must have
followed But there is limit, and 1t be far
off. to the possible lessenng of the cost of move
| ment The only alternative1is to arrest the reduc
| about by apparently uncomfortable conflicts be.
| tween the railway companies. and between rival
ton is complicated. The problems involved in deal
ing with traffic questions covering vast a terri
Troublesome and intricate. hut they incapa.
bic of solution. and 1t is believed that by earnest
| be met and overcome VITA this end in view and
to establish closer relations, between the managers
| Of the trunk lines. it has seemed wise to your
| BOARD TO acquire interest in some of the rail
ways reaching the seaboerd and to unite with the
other shareholders who control those properties in
hoped result in securing reasonable and stable rates
and do away with unjust discrmina tio.s that are
the inevitable results of the course that hereto
fore been pursued. Aside from the indirect bene-
| fits thus sought to be gained it is believed that
| these holdings will as investments be directly
profitable.
The contract with the Pullmans 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 LIST. 1900.
and running for fifteen years under which ma
teria saving in expenses will innre to benefit.
The two ferry companies operut ing between Phil
adelphia and Camden were consolidated during the
| last year into the Philadelphia and Camden Ferry
Company. thus securing more economical and eff
| fectve service. and further Strengthening 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 sew
enty years. who, being between the ages Of six
years in service and be physically disqualified. The
pension allowance is basedsupon length Of service
tirement. and the sum Of saso.ooo per annum is
fixed the maximum amount Of the Company 8
In connection with the establishment Of this de-
partment, the Relief Fund assumes the payment
Of all benefits to its members. and thus relieves
the Company from the ANIMAL disbursement Of a
considerable heretofore paid out Of its treas
the Fund for ffty-two weeks, had no longer
any claim thereupon.
In order to insure as far practicable that en-
ployes shall possess the physical qualifications nee
essary the performance Of their duties. 1t has
also been determined that except in certain spec
flied cases where the interests of the Company
clearly require IT. no person who Is over thirty FIVE
buttons covering the action Of the Board concerning
these matters will be presented with this report
for the action of the shareholders.
In consequence Of the adoption Of the pension
schedule Mr.. George w: I. Ball, Chief Convey.
fbs e M eh long end
connected with the lines of your system. were
Ra hs On ba as h
Traffic Legal and Real Estate Departments of the
s.n aF a had
dered invaluable service I'M solving the many COM
plicated Questions aectngthe titles s to your prop
service. from his employment In 1S4s as r"dman
in the location of the Relviaere Delaware Railroad
to his promotion In 1872 % he Superintendent of
that Division. his appointment Superintendent
of the Voluntary Relief Department in January.
1856 and his service suth until his retirement.
He had had practical charge Of the administration
of that department during that period and had
disbursement of a amounting yearly TO
about three quarter of million of dollars with
tend l " to the voluntary Relief and
thereof Ms The 4 Office Of Chief Gonveyancer having
been abolished and the position of Assistant Real
The Board have to record the death Of one of
n ant Fiddle. en- May ID 1899 Mr. Ritlie mad
been Director of the Company since March path
asa ana ttn peno Of his wise counsel ripe udg
meut. and long experience HIS stainless lhtegrlty,
len hm be OF regard Of his s
who lost a valued colleague and true friend: =,
e sas Gt by Mr. rA Riddles death; :.
death its President, Mr.. Frank Thomson. in the
5sth year Of his age. Mr. Thomsoms -, Illness ness:
of your Western system, may thus seem to have
ft,ingly closed career devoted to your service.
Having entered the shops at Alto'iid as MI "P
prentice when but seventeen years old. he had.
with the exception of the period spent In the
e cit during the civil var, given his active
life to the Company. Appointed as Superintend-
sn q the in 1884 hs Was
Superintendent of Motive Power Of your Com
s sn So hs
elected President. His connection with the
mastsS Of the Problems with the
provement of the motive power, and the establish,
Of high d for he Sn,a s snS
OF the Traffic Department. and in direct charge
cally fitted him TO meet the eompllcated ques;
tons growing out of The competition Of rival and
in the performance Of duty, and in placing on
record their appreciation Of the exceptional abii
ity sound judgment and hdeliy win IT,, which len
Board desire also to pay deserved tribute to the
charming personal traits that won the affection
and esteem Of his associates.
Mr.. Alexander ]. Cassatt, a member Of your
to on thf 9th OF e and eee r nmss
McCrea was elected to fill the vacancy in the
Board.
In accordance with the revised organization
adopted June 14th the Office of First Assistant to
the President having been abolished. Mr. Samuel
Board to act Fourth Vice President
Mr.. Charles A. Chipley having, on the LIST Of
exacting service in the Freight Department of
the Company: resigned his position as General
organization having been further amended. Mr..
i9h sna H. Appointed
General Freight Agent.
Mr.. William J. Latta, who had been connected
with the Transportation Department of the Com
pany for nearly thirty years. and had filled the
responsible position of General Agent Phila-
delphla since July LIST, 1883, with signal ability
and advantage to the service. having resigned
August 31st 1893. to engage in other pursuits.
that position was abolished. and the Jurisdiction
of Mr. d. H. Lowell, Superintendent Of the Phila-
delphia Terminal Division, extended to embrace
the duties formerly devolvng upon the General
Agent
Mr.. A. J. Gillingham was appointed Auditor
of Passenger Receipts, November LIST; Mr. Samuel
anderson; Assistant Auditor of Passenger Re
ceipts; Mr.. Henry c. McKeever. Assistant Audi
tor Of Freight Receipts; and Mr.. Edward A. Stock
ton Assistant Auditor of Disbursements
Provision having been made for two Assistant
Ireasurers and an Assistant to Treasurer. Mr..
H. z Common was appointed an additional Assist
ant Treasurer. and Mr.. George "A Walker Assist
ant to treasurer, taking effect January LIST 1900
Inc Board renew their acknowledgements to the
officers and employees tie fidelity and etictency
ing the past year. =: ""'
the Board,
A. J. cAssATT. President