Evening journal., 1912-10-19
P.R.R. VETS
HOPE FOR
HOME SOON
Delaware Division Association
Working Out Plan Which
Company viii Aid
CARNEGIE ALSO
PROMISES HELP


Company is contemplating building a
home for its pensioned employees was
brought out at the meeting of the
Veteran Employees Association Of the
Delaware division of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad held in the assembly
room of the railroad building here
this morning.
For some time there has been
much talk of this project in railroad
circles and it has been intimated by
high officials of the road that if the
employees really take an interest in
such home the railroad would prob
ably take the matter under consid-
Grafton.
AT the meeting of the association
last year a committee consisting Of
Thomas A. Smith. J. 7 Layfield and
John Mahoney was appointed to look
into the matter of securing a home
and to make a report at this meet
ing. The following is the report of
the committee.
At the last meeting of this asso-
citation held October 81, 1911. il was
decided to appoint a committee of
three to confer with representatives
Of other associations of the Penn
sylvania Railrad for the purpose Of
devising ways and means of estab-
fishing a home for pensioned mem
bers who are old and are practically
homeless.
Our president appointed Thomas
A. Smith, j. I Layfield and John
Mahoney as members of this COM
mittee. Some time in December this
committee was called to Philadelphia
and at that time an executive COM
mittee was appointed There are
seven members on this committee.
There are eight hundred members in
the different associations on the Penn
sylvania Railroad. There are two
hundred and eighty-one pensioners
who get less than So per month as
pension There are % members
who get nothing but are on the relief
department There are eleven mem
bers in the almshouse. some of them
being in Pittsburg and other cities.
Some of these cannot take care of
themselves and others have no
friends
The object in trying TO establish a
home for veterans is to get those in
the almhOuses out. and to prepare a
place for those who in the future may
need a home and some one to care
Tor them
1T has been stated that the com
pany wants to do something in this
direction when il becomes convinced
that the employees want It. II has
also been stated that Mr.. Carnegie
who is a member of the Pittsburgh
division veteran association. is also
willing to assist. The Pittsburgh
division is the only one that is in
real sympathy with the proposition
They have been invited to all the
meetings of our own association but
have never attended.
The proposition is this: All associ-
ations are TO take up a collection, and
when they have $4,000. which would
be an average Of 81 per member, then
TO go TO the company and ask for a
home, and we believe that it will
come No one is expected to give
more than he is able. The annual
meetings for 1912 have been held in
a number of places and a collection
of 1904 has been taken. The chair
man of the executive committee at our
last meeting spoke of sending out
cards TO all members and asking for
contributions, but this has never been
done, and we wish to recommend that
the cccOlldNlbn TAKE dtllOn III luS
matter at this meeting"
II was proposed that each member
Of the association be assessed the
sum Of 81, but the members decided
that il would be better to send out
cards asking for contributions, as
some of the numbers might be unable
to pay the assessment.
j. T. Bayfield read a very interest
ronorf of tho bfcfrrfo,I o1,,,,,afffo nc
on the history of the railroad COM
pany. The paper stated that in 1S43
the payroll of the Wilmington shops
was about S375 a month, and that in
August of this year the payroll was
S107, 1875. In 1S47 the engineers
received $40 per month and the fire
men SIS a month, whereas now some
of them make nearly 5000 per month
The engines in those days weighed
about 20 tons and were named in
stead of numbered. Those in use
today weigh over 145 tons and can
haul seventy-five freight cars.
The report of the treasurer and oil
the committees were received. They
showed that the association is thriv-
ing and that its members are taking
great interest in t.
The following officers we're elected
President, e. b. Johns. superintendent
of the Delaware Division; vice-presi-
dent, j. b. Book; secretary, W. G.
Simmons; treasurer. H F Smith
chaplain, Alga Smith.
The association will hold its annual
banquet in Eden Hall tonight. Ad-
dresses will be made by several rail-
road officials and most enjoyable
time is expected