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


last wear 10 o 49, the lowest point ever reached.
As may be supposed railway managers have not
seen this constant reduction without serious con
Germ, without making strenuous efforts to check
the downward movement. These efforts have
met with but little success, and although
commercial necessity has recently exis:sl for
such reductions, and certainly not during the
past wear. when the industries Of the counir,
enjoyed a prosperity almost unprecedented id
when the facilities Of the railways taxed
to the utmost, the fall in rates has still con
tinued Had the railway companies not been
able to meet the diminution in the ton-miic rate
by corresponding reduction in expenses, disas-
trous results must have followed. But there is
a limit, and it cannot be lar off. TO the possible
lessening Of the cost Of movement. The only
alternative is to arrest the reduction in revenue,
which has been largely brought about by ap-
parcnty uncomfortable conflicts between the rail
way companies and between rival communities.
II must be admitted that the situation is com
plicated. The problems involved IN dealing with
traffic questions covering vast territory, and
affecting so many diversified interests, trouble
some and intricate, but they are not incapable
Of solution, and il is believed that by 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 man
ayers Of the trunk lines, it has seemed wise 10
your Board to acquire an interest in some of the
railways reaching the seaboard, andf TO unite
with the other SHAREHOLDERS who control those
properties in supporting conservative policy.
This will, it is hoped, result in securing reason
aDle ana stable rates ana 10 away Win UNJUST
Determinations that are the inevitable results OF
the course that has heretofore been pursued.
Aside from the indirect benefits thus sought 10
be gained, it is believed that these holdings will
investments be directly profitable.
The contract with the Pullman's Palace Car
Company, under which its equipment was run on
your passenger trains, being about to expire, a
new and satisfactory agreement was concluded
with that Company, taking effect January l, 1900,
and running for fifteen years, under which a ma
teria saving in expenses will nure to your 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 a more eco
nomcal and effective 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 sxty-fv and seventy years, shall
calfy 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, 600 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
meEt of all benefits to its members, and thus
Heves the Company from the annual disburse-
ment of a considerable sum heretofore paid out
Of its treasury TO employees who, having received
benefits from the Fund for over ffty-tvo weeks,
had no longer any claim thereupon.
In order TO insure fax practicable that en-
ployes shall possess the physical qualifications
necessary for the performance Of their duties, il
has also been determined that. except in certain
specified cases where the interests OF the Com
pany clearly require it, person who is over
thirty-tve years Of age shah 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 W. ]. Ball. Chief Con-
veyancer and Mr. j A. Anderson Slperintrnd-
ert of the Relief Department, both long and
honoraby connected with the lines 0, your sys-
TEN, were placed on the retired list, January ].
1900. Mr.. Ball had been associated with the
transportation, Isatfc, Legal, and Real Estate
Departments of the Company for ;hrty-eight
years, and in his position especially Chief Con-
veyaDcer had rendered invaluable service in solv-
ing the many complicated questions affecting the
titles TO your property. Mr.. Anderson had been
over fifty years in service, from his employment
in 1878 rodman in the location of the Bel
videre Delaware Railroad, to his proilo,ion in
1872 10 be Superintendent of that Division, his
appointment Superintendent OF the Voluntary
Relief Department III January, 1886, and his
ice as such until his retirement He had had
practical charge Of the administration OF that de-
partment during that period, and l.al performed
the exacting duties growing out Of :hc disburse-
ment Of sum now amounting yearly to about
three quarters Of million OF dcIs - with signal
ability and success.
Sit. Holmes d. Ely was promoted e be superln
tendent of the Voluntary Relief Der lrtmrnt, and
Mr. Matthias Homer, Assistant Superintendent
thereof. The Office OF Chief Conve yancer having
been abolished, and the position OF Assistant Real
Estate Agent created, Mr.. Benjamin w. Carskad-
don appointed to the latter position
The Board have 10 record the death OF one Of
their oldest and most honored members, Mr..
Alexander Bidde, on May ? 1859. Mr.. Biddle
had been Director of the Company since March
"a, 1874. and during his long connection there
with had given it the benefit Of his wise counsel.
ripe judgment, and long experience. His stain
less integrity, conscientious discharge of duty,
and high courage won for him the regard
u his associates, who lost valued colleague and
true friend
Mr., T Dewitt cuyler was elected member of
the Board May TO- 1899, 10 FIJI tine vacancy
caused by Mr.. Biddles death.
On the 5th Of June the Company also lost by
death its President, Mr.. Frank Thomson, in the
1sth year of his age. Mr.. ThoHson's illness,
which was contracted while inspecting the lines
Df Your Western System may thus seem to have
ittinsly closed career devoted TO Your service
liavng entered the shops at Altoona as an
apprentice when but seventeen years old he had,
with the exception of the period epent IN the
Military Transportation Department Of the Gov
eminent during the civil war, given his active
life to the Company. Appointed Superintend-
mt of the Eastern Division of the Philadelphia
md Erie Railroad in 1864. he was successfully
superintendent of Motive Power of your Com
llny, its General Manager, Second and First Vice
resident until February Q, 1897 when he was
.ected President. His connection with the Trans
)ort4t:or department marked by a mastery
Il the problems connected with the Improvement
Il the motive power, and the establishment OF |
high ST indard for the construction and main
eaa Of track; while his duties as Chief of the
FTafhc Department, and in direct charge Of the |
citations with connecting lines, had especially |
tted hiln to meet the complicated questions grow
ng out OF the competition of rival and CON
he perfo mance Of duty, and in placing record |
heir appreciation OF the exceptional ability, |
ound judgment and fidelity with which he per- |
ormed the trusts confided 10 him, the Board !
esire also TO pay deserved tribute to the charm
ng personal traits that wvii III aFection and |
steem OF his associates |
Mr.. Alexander J. Cassatt, member Of your |
,card, was, on the 9th of June, elected President
o succeed Mr. Thomson, and Mr.. James McCrea |
vas elected to fill the vacancy in the Board
In accordance with the revised organization |
dopted June II, the Office OF First Assistant TO |
he President having been abolished. Mr.. Samuel |
Soard to act Fourth Vice President.
Mr.. Charles A. Chipley having, on the LIST of |
DAY, after nearly twenty years of faithful and |
,xacting service in the Freight Department O |
'reight Agent in charge of local traffic, and the |
rganization having been further amended. Mr.. |
'ohn b. T.ayer. ir., was appointed General |
'reight Agent. and Mr.. George D. Dixon, Assist |
mt General Freight Agent.
Mr.. William J. Latta, who had been connected |
With the transportation Department OF the Com
AMY for nearly thirty years and had filed the |
esponsible position OF General Agent at Phila-
lelphia since July l, 1888, with signal ability
nd advantage 10 the service. having resigned |
august 81, 1899. to engage in other pursuits that
osition was abolished, and the jurisdiction Of |
III. ID. IL. Lowell. Superintendent Of the Phladei
'hia Terminal Division, extended TO embrace the
utles formerly devolving upon the General Agent.
Mr.. A. j. Gllngham was appointed Auditor
4 Passenger Receipts, November / Mr.. Samuel
anderson, Assistant Auditor Of Passenger Receipts
lr. teHTN &. MthpFyeT Assistant Auditor of |
reight Receipts; and Mr.. Edward A. Stockton
assistant Auditor Of Disbursements
Provision having been made for two Assistant
reasurers and an Assistant TO Treasurer. Nj. II. |