Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-06
SPECIAL AGENTS HT
Hammer Railroad Rate BIN
Anti-Pass Clause.
EFFORT TO DEFEAT MEASURE
Reading Of Reports ct Session Held
This Morning.
0LD-TIME TRAIN ROBBERS
Spectacular Thieves Rapidly Disap-
pearing-Hobos and Yeggmen to
Be Feared Ia Future.
EFFORT TO DEFEAT MEASURE
oLD-TIME TRAIN ROBBERS

Be Feared In Future.
Tho anti-pass clause of the railroad rate
bill was numerically hammered by some
of the delegates to the convention OF the
Association Of Railway Special Agents at
the session this morning at the Ebbitt
House. The matter was called to the at
tention Of the railroad sleuths by the pres
ident OF the association. Mr.. w. q. Bald
win OF Roanoke. Va He said the associ-
alton should appoint committee to call
upon the senators and representatives in
an effort to defeat the objectionable clause.
ST understand" Mr.. Baldwin stated,
"that there will be possible majority OF
three or four votes against the clause, but
as that will be a very narrow margin We
should go to work In the matter We are
interested more than any class of people
In the proposition to cut off the free
passes
A resolution was thereupon offered by W.
]. Kenney OF the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road. to the effect that as measure had
been introduced In Congress to deprive the
railroad and express employees Of their
passes that the president Of the association
be empowered to appoint committee or
five members to take necessary action in
the premises.
The resolution was generally discussed by
the delegates. Mr.. John J. Risden of Chi
cage said that personally he favored the
proposed action against the passage Of the
anti-pass clause but he could not speak for
the railroad company he represents as he
had not received any instructions from that
source. Delegate Riley agreed with Dele
gate Risden.
Acting for Themselves.
President Baldwin suggested that the
delegates were acting for themselves in the
matter as they were directly affected. Mr..
T. p. HUMPHREYS took similar view of the
matter.
The statement was made that the other
branches of the railroad organization have
committees here working against the anti
pass clause. and the railroad special agents
and police have the same right.
Mr.. J. G. Ahern of the Southern rail-
was against the anti-pass clause and would
like to see 1t eliminated from the rate bill.
Its passage would work a hardship on the
agents and their families, and the speaker
passing the resolution and appointing the
committee to walt upon Congress. Mr..
George g. Fftzwater, assistant passenger
agent of the Seaboard Air Line, favored
the resolution. He declared the delegates
came here to do the best we can for our
own protection"
Mr.. v. M. Pettus, special agent Of the G.
and o. railroad, declared that X II was de-
pass system 1t was not necessary for them
to go to the state legislature or to Con-
gress. but 1t could be done on their own
initiative.
Il doubt" he added. '1f there Is rail-
road company represented at this meeting
that is In favor Of the Questionable clause.
We should take some steps to protect our
selves against what, in my Judgment, ap-
pears to be an Injustice"
A vote on the resolution was postponed
until the afternoon session. with the pro-
viso that a copy OF the rate bill be pro-
cured in the meantime by a committee and
read to the convention. It was also decided
to have roll call on the proposition
At late hour this afteroon a resolution
of committee Of five to go before Con-
gress and endeavor to defeat the anti-pass
clause Of the railroad rate bill.
Reading Of Reports.
At the beginning of the morning session
Mr.. George J. Shoefrel, superintendent OF
police of the Erie railroad, read a paper on
the organization OF auxiliary associations
of the international association. He de-
scribed the good work that has been 40
complished by the New York terminal police
since its organization several years ago.
Mr.. j. @. Ahern of the Southern railway
read a paper on railroad law. He said the
train robber of tomorrow is the sneak thief
OF today or yesterday.
The Kahn bill against train robbery was
also given consideration by the couven-
ton, and 1t was stated that ARRANGEMENTS
would be made to give committee of the
association a hearing before the judiciary
committee of the House on the measure to
urge its passage. President Baldwin APP
pointed as such committee Messrs. Schoef-
Eel, T. l.. Feltz of the Norfolk and West
ern from Bluefeld, W. Va, and J. w Con-
nelly. chief of special agents of the South
ern railway.
A communication was read from T. M.
Griffin OF Somerset KY, opposing the pro-
posed changing Of the name of the asso-
citation. except by the addition OF the word
police" to the present cognomen. An
other writer said the old-time spectacular
train robbers are fast disappearing-th
heroes of certain dime novels-and the
railroad crooks Of today are up-to-date
thieves in every respect. Tho hobos and
the yeggmen" are to be feared in the fu-
ture. Many of these go about disguised
as honest workfngmen.
Splendid Standing.
The secretary OF the association. Mr.. q.
showing that the association was formed at
Kansas City with membership OF twelve
railroad men April 80. 1890. There are now
$40 active members. He spoke Of the
splendid standing of the organization"
and said all shoals have now been passed
Tine membership is being increased by the
addition of 1.-THE live wires in the railroad
world.
Arrangements were made for pilgrim
age to Mount Vernon Friday, with fish
feast at Marshall Hall.
Mr.. w. G.. Baldwin OF Roanoke, Va. who
Is president OF the association, reached
this city In time to preside at today's meet
ing The session yesterday was presided
over. by Mr.. Shafer, the first vice president.
The members OF the association were re-
ceiyod by President Roosevelt yesterday
afternoon at the White House.
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