The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-10-12
GREATER SAFETY
. STRONGLY URGED
Railway signalmen Discuss I'm
proved Methods at Annual
Convention.
MORE THAN $50 ATTENDING
Mayor Richardson Extends Cor
dial Welcome-Many Social
Features.

With $50 members present and the
prospect of many more arriving to-
day, the fifteenth annual convention of
the Railway Signal Association opened
Yesterday morning in the Jefferson
Hotel auditorium. After an address of
welcome by Mayor d. G. Richardson
and the reading of the minutes of the
last annual meeting, the convention
got down to business and completed
the work scheduled for the day more
than an hour ahead OF time.
Deliberations of the convention, espe-
cially during the afternoon session.
were confined to the discussion of re-
ports of committees bearing on Nari-
Gus methods for improving railway sig
nails, making them more and more de-
pendable for the safety of life and
property. For the most part these
discussions were of technical charac-
ter and were taken UP by the conven-
ton in the greatest detail, no subject
being passed upon until each member
had been given ample opportunity to
express his views.
Seeking Greater Safety.
The report OF the committee on power
interlocking, a subject most important
to the signalman and the safety of
traffic, recommended additional safety
devices. after demonstrating flaws in
certain devices now in use. This was
referred to the executive committee
with the recommendation that the
proposed devices be investigated and
developed. The committee recommends
ed and presented drawing OF one-arm
and single switches. which was re-
ceived. with instructions that the in
vestgation be continued
Chairman w. j. Eek, of the commit-
tee on promotion of signaling educa-
tion, presented most comprehensive
report of his Investigations, which was
received with enthusiasm by the con-
vention. The report, which is the
largest to come before the gathering,
embraces all of the more important
books and pamphlets on signaling, to-
gether with letters from various schools
that make this important part of rail-
road work a part of their curriculum,
and also communications from the best
known railroads of this country and
England as to training men for this
department. The committee particulars
ly recommended the holding of meet
ings by signal engineers of all roads.
at which their employees be present and
the work discussed in a practical man
ner 1t is suggested that at each OF
these meetings special subject be
announced and the men be given time
to read up reports, on the subject, so
that they may be able to profit by the
meetings. This, In the opinion OF the
committee, would result in vast
amount of good and would eventually
lead to the foundation of organized
classes and study
Gives Credit to Dnbney.
In his speech yesterday morning
President Ballet said that he was glad
the association selected Richmond as
the place for the fifteenth annual meet
ing but gave all the credit of the se-
lection to Business Manager William
I. Dabney, at the Chamber of Com
merce, whose eloquence turned the
tide of votes from several other cities
to Richmond.
The remainder OF his address was
technical and had reference mainly to
1.-The progress of the association. The
morning session adjourned at / o'clock
(Continued on Third Page.)