The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-10-03
RAIL WAY TRACK FOREMEN MEET
 IN CITY TODAY
Mayor Buckingham Draws Lesson from Federal Ex- press Wreck in Giving
 Welcome
President of Order Gives High Praise to City of Bridgeport in Report
 to Convention

Calling attention to the terrible les son of the Federal Express wreck ir this city Mayor Edward T. Bucking- ham at 10 o'clock this morning for. mally opened the 7th annual conven- tion of the New England branch Or der of Railway Track Foremen ot America. The delegates, about 70 in number, met in the Board of Trade rooms in the Newfield building.
 Mayor Buckingham dwelt on the importance of the work which is en- trusted to the railway track forenen whose duty it is to keep yigilant watch on the long miles of rail and roadbed and make immediate repairs where any weakness or imperfection is detected.
 The mayor pointed to the need of having only the most expert and com the orga nization for it's effort III rais- ing the standard of work and insur- ing the qualifications of it's members. The mayor assured the visitors of the heartiest welcome of the city.
 Attorney James A. Marr then ex- Hoard of Trade. MT. Marr's speech was a very telling one and pointed out strongly the advantage of or ganized effort as typified by the track foremen's society. He extended 8 most cordial welcome in behalf of the Board of Trade. which is giving the use of it's rooms to the society
 In his annual report, Grand Presi- dent L., B. Clarke of New Haven rald a very high tribute to the city cf Bridgeport and to it's future. He saiG:, in closing his addressi
 "I realize the fact that you have chosen me as. your leader for four nr1c yyn ynQF r e how ind fn my duty by the order as saw it, and have labored at all times to per form my duty in such a manner as would contribute to the advancement of the order and the benefit of my fellow members. I know that my conservative ways have not always pleased some of our members. But as there is no success without labor. and as the reward is the resu1c of toll, so there are no opportunities without responsibility. If the opportunity. is glorious, the responsibility is grave and the peculiar and particular re- accessibility which I desire to em- phasize, strikes always the keynote of conservatism, sane, thoughtful con serya tism. Conservatism begets con- fidence; confidence begets stability ard success, and progress is our in heritance.
 "One brief word more. While l
 
 possibly should not say this, I am constrained to say that we are hold ing our convention in the most en- tcrprising city of New England. May its progress and expansion continue. We appreciate profOundfy the many courtesies which the Board of Trade and its President have extended to us and we thank all of its people ana the press for the hearty and happy welcome which we have received at their hands, and particularly the Mayor, for his cordial greeting
 Today's session was confined mainly to the reports of committees and var ious officers.
 The treasurerss report showed the organization to be in splendid finan- cial condition, better than at any time since it's inception. The report of the secretary showed that 75 members have been gained during the past year, and five lost by death. The toteA of members employed on the New Haven system is about $50 In addition there are many employees on other railroad systems. Two of the Boston 6 Maine delegates arrived this afternoon.
 Tonight there will be the annual banquet at which Congressman B. J. Hill will be the speaker, also some of the engineering staff of the New Ha- ven system.