The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-19
PASSENGER AGENTS
HAVE A MERRY TINE
Saw Everything in Richmond
and Then Feasted at the
Reservoir Park.
DID NOT MAKE MANY SPEECHES
------ ---------
DID NOT MAKE MANY SPEECHES
President Roche Says They III
vited Themselves, but Were
Warmly Greeted.

Members OF the American Associat-
ton OF Travelling Passenger Agents.
100 strong. took Richmond by storm
yesterday, and thereby rounded off In
pleasant fashion a week Of strenuous
convention work at the jamestown
Exposition. The party reached the city
shortly before noon. coming In on the
Norfolk and Western Railway. and
then rusned out to fall upon the big
and hospitable shoulders OF recep-
ton committee. composed of many dig
nitaries. Within few minutes the
railroad men were spinning around
town on special cars. winding up at
the lakewood skating pavilion, where
delightful luncheon was served.
Leaving there for the Jefferson Hotel.
they cut out the formal ceremonies and
made merry according to the indiyid-
ual bent Of mind.
Speeches Short ana Sweet.
The committee had given warning
that If any speeches were male they
had to be short and sweet. MAYOR Nc
Carthy. who welcomed the visitors,
observed this rule religiously. Mr.. E.
b. Pope, the retiring president, who
responded, said he had been properly
tipped of. and that he would merely
express the thanks and appreciation
OF the association. being mindful OF
the fact. too. that IL he undertook IT,
speak Of Richmond's charms he might
exceed the speed limit and side-wipe
something at the switch.
President NJ. ]. Roche. who. in pri-
vate life. is the travelling passenger
agent OF the Rio Grande and Western.
with headquarters at Portland. was
forced to get near the head OF the
table and talk. He was asked to pay
few round-trip tributes to the wo-
men. The new president. who is a
graceful talker, was at some disad-
vantage, for he had to handle much
in limited time. but he did his part
magnificently He was very much
like Major Delmar: when he got start
ed he did not seem to be able to stop.
and nobody called him down. for his
speech was good and the crowd APP
plauded Just about the time he con-
cluded the big music box or piano, or
whatever else 1t is called, rolled out
melody with sudden crash, and when
the visitors had done Justice to the
excellent luncheon, they seized the
ladies and began to dance.
Went All over the City.
For an hour or more the party re-
NAMED at lakewood, after which the
special cars left for the Jefferson.
There was much doing in the after
noon. In the morning the reception
committee led the way to st. Johns
Church, place which all strangers
want to see. and then out to Holly
wood. On the trip the passenger men
got good idea of the business OF the
city, and not few OF them were sur
prised at It's magnitude.
1T seems to be that we invited our
selves here" said President Roche
"but no invited guest ever received
more cordial greeting. We shall go
away with many pleasant memories
and hereafter when people ask about
Richmond. we shall certainly tell them
1t Is one OF the garden spots Of the
earth:
The visitors scattered somewhat IN
the. afternoon. many leaving then and
others remaining over until nearly
midnight.