Evening star., 1915-01-07

This" Mr. Burritt said, "is due to
the development of the interurban lines
in the United States. The increase in
the riding habit of the American peo-
pie is even more remarkable when
compared with the increase in rides on
steam roads.
Statistics of Steam Roads.
"The per capita ride for steam roads
in 1900 was 7.59 and in 1912 1851, an
increase of about 81 per cent. During
the same period the per capita rides
on electric roads increased from so to
104.3 per cent, an increase of about "a
per cent.
THE development of electric trans
portation, both urban and interurban,
is the cause of this remarkable show
ing and represents an expenditure of
money and knowledge that is hard to
overestimate. When the American
Electric Railway Association convenes
at the New Willard many of the men
who were responsible for the develop
ment will be in attendance, as well
great numbers of the leaders in the
industry who are now working out the
constantly developing problems in con-
nection with the further extension of
electric transportation.
1.-The capitalization of electric rail-
ways of the United States is over
$4,000, 900, 900. of which 80 per cent is
represented IN the membership OF the
association. The total mileage is $4,000,
of which $1,000 is represented in the
organization, while annual gross re-
ceipts amount to s533 100000 per year,
of which S500,000.000 is received in the
Golfers of the companies affiliated with
the association.
"Officers and employees of electric
railways in this country number about
100000, and it is estimated that the
number who derive their livelihood
10 N hp ma L
Takes Part in Development.
"The American Electric Railway As
sociation takes very important part
in the development of this industry. It's
organization is composed of a central
body. consisting of the executive officers
of the various companies, which deals
with the more important questions of
policy; four affiliated associations de-
voted to the interests of the account
ing, engineering, claims and trans
portation officials. and an allied or
ganization composed of manufacturers
of electric railway devices and sup
plies.
1T is the parent body which is to
meet in Washington January %. and
which. with it's ally. the Manufacturers
Association, is to hold a banquet the
evening of that day. The meeting
proper. which begins in the morning. is
10 De OcNoleu 10 Ine discussion OIL gen.
eral problems affecting public rela-
tions, and is to be addressed by N. c.
kingsbury, vice president of the Amer
lean Telephone and Telegraph Com
pany, who will speak on the subject of
publicity; by Col. Timothy S. Williams
president of the Brooklyn Rapid Tran
sit Company. who is to discuss and ex-
plain the code of principles recently
adopted by the association, and by a
prominent banker, who will discuss the
future of electric railways from the in
veStor's point of view.
For Executive Officers Only.
This meeting is for the executive Of
GERS of railways, while the banquet IN
the evening. at which the speakers will
be men of prominence in the national
government. is held jointly with the
Manufacturers Association.
arrangements have been made for
special trains from New York city to
bring the members of the association
living in New York to Washington and
for another special train from Chicago
for the benefit of the western mem
bers. The attendance at the last ban
ouet of the association, held in New
York. was nearly 500. and while it is
not expected that the Washington af
fair will be as large, it is probable that
between four and five hundred will be
in attendance.