The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-05-08
THE 7. P. A. CONVENTION.
MILEAGE BOOK QUESTION sTIRs
DARLINGTON CONVENTION.
President j. 4. Lanaham, of Travellers
Protective Association, I'm Address
to Annual Convention Ccnsures
Railway Companies for Treatment
Accorded Travelling Men.

ers' Protective Association, in session
here today and tomorrow. Darlington
has been making preparations foc
several weeks In anticipation of the
visit of the travelling men and the
town has the appearance Of gala
week. The stores have been decorat-
ed and the entertainment committee
Is doing everything possible to make
the stay OF the travelling men I'm the
Pearl OF the Pee Dee pleasant one
The business day OF the conven-
tion has been taken up with the ap-
pointment OF the committees and the
reports OF the standing committees.
the features OF the afternon session
being the report Of the State Presi-
dent J. c. Lanaham. who scored the
railroads for the new rules which
went into effect on May in regard to
the use OF mileage books.
President I.anaham's criticisms
were severe and met responsive
chord In the hearts OF his hearers. as
he was applauded In his attack on
the railroads and when ne had finish
ed he received an ovation from the
delegates. Another matter of interest
TO the travelling men was the report OF
the hotel committee. This report
had n number OF suggestions. but they
will not be threshed out by the con-
vention until tomorrow.
The convention met for organiza-
ton at 1890 o'clock in the court
house with President Russell Acree
OF Post III. presiding. The Rev. n. NJ.
Fulton opened the convention with
prayer.
At the afternoon session President
Lanham asked the ex-presidents OF
the Association to the stand and four
were In attendance. Messrs. f. NJ
Wells. Frank Pegues. j. f. Gentry
and p. j. Drew. These gentlemen
were escorted to the rostum.
President Lanham then made his
report After thanking the conven-
tion for the honor Of presiding over
them. and short sketch OF the work
done by the Association during the
past year. President Lanaham had
the following To say on the much
discussed question Of the mileage
book:
II am opposed to going to the Leg
islature for redress. II we can possi-
bly, avoid II. but since the railroad
companies have gone OUT OF their way
to hand out such q dose TO the great
travelling public over the shoulders Of
the travelling men. II Is high time to
call "a halt and speak with no uncer-
tain sound. The remedy could have
been given us by each railroad COM
pany stamping on their own inter-
changeable mileage book Optional
for exchange tickets or putting mile
age on trains OF this railroad in South
Carolina. Our request was a reason
able one. We made the fight openly
and above board. We have gained n
point. which shows our influence and
power rs an organization. and we pro-
pose TO test the matter In every sec
ton of the state. even II some OF us
have to- become members OF the I.egis-
lature. which. I think. would not he
out Of place. and push this matter In
an organized way and finally we are
bound to succeed. Our travelling fra
ternity however. does not stand to-
Eether. We have lot OF smart
Alecks. In our crowd. have lea rd
lot of smart talk I'm the last few
days such as: 1--WE are up against II.
and the T. r. A. did IT, which leads
me 20 say that some were born FOR
great things. some were born for small
some 'tis not recorded why they were
horn NJ an"
After this report the Convention
was adjourned until tomorrow morn
Ing I'm order To- attend the memorial
service ut the auditorium.
The Convention bids fair to he one
~ the most largely attended In the
history of the organization In this
state.
The discussion OF mileage question
will be the feature for tomorrow.
The travelling men are stirred up -
never before ON this question and they
propose to fight until the railroads
recognize that their demands are lcgi-
Innate and that n Is not "A case Of
persecution. but a just dcmnnd ON
their part.
EnTm.r Chief Jnsii0n Innns snnLn