Evening star., 1925-06-25
MILLIONS HELPED
BY TRAVELLERS AID
Many Possible Tragedies
Averted by Societies in
Large Cities.

Figures running into the millions
stand out in bold relief as indicative
of the many bewildered travellers who
were aided by the Travellers Aid
Societies during the past year. Reach
ing beyond mathematical calculation
are the number of possible tragedies
that were averted through the
society's helping elderly persons and
children
In the annual report, Just issued
through the joint societies in the
various cities, 1t was shown that
1926, 1867 trains were met in Ill cities,
respectively, while 81 ,556 ships were
met in 20 cities. There was a total of
14S,713 children assisted in 10S cities
and 50,731 aged people helped in 80
cities and, including others who We're
given assistance, there were ,404, ,529
persons aided in 125 cities.
The report also shows there are 167
organized travellers aid points; SS7
cooperative representatives of the
society, and that the societies have
l,470 towns through its organization,
leaving 1912 towns not served.
Work Growing
The Travellers Aid issued by the
National Association Of Travellers Aid
Societies, in commenting on the an
nual reports of the various branches
.
The reports in themselves are illus
tratiVe both of the growing uniform
ity of practice and the existing cor
dlality of lntercity cooperation. They
form commentary on the devotion
of busy travellers aid executives and
station workers who somehow find
time to keep careful records that
make possible an evaluation of their
own work and the furnishing of
l.ta -
their respective boards of directors
and for use in comparative studies for
the benefit of old and new societies"
In 1924 there We're 125 Travellers Aid
agencies chartered in the national as
sociation. Thus far in 1925 13S cities
have received charters, and in six
other cities charters are delayed be-
cause of reorganization or other rea-
sons, it is stated.
The publication, Travellers Aid, in
telling something of the operation of
the societies, makes the following
statements:
Railroads in Sympathy.
THAT the railroads are heartily in
sympathy with this service to the pa
irons of their lines is evidenced by the
fact that SO cities received contribu-
tions from railroad companies amount
ing to S54. .S41 so. This amount does
not include the use of space, desks,
telephones, etc, which have been sup
piled by the terminal companies where
Travellers Aid service is carried on;
nor does 1t cover the passes issued to
workers for use on Travellers Aid busi-
ness which are granted to a few So
cietieS. In addition to this, the rail
roads in five cities contribute directly
toward the salaries of the workers.
The number of societies which re-
ceive financial support from their city
governments has not increased since
last year. There are 35 of these. Eir-
ginia still holds the distinction of be-
ing the one State in the Union which
contributes directly toward the mainte-
nance of this service within her bor-
ders.
"A total of 473 full-time workers was
reported by 130 societies. The work
ers received S602 ,659.S6 in salaries
This marks an increase over last year
In average salaries. More and more
the need for trained personnel is be-
ing felt by the cities and the salary
scale is steadily advancing in order to
attract and hold workers equipped to
give the highest grade of service
There are 1921 board members, in
140 cities, who are directing the de-
velopment of Travellers Aid work, it is
stated.