of the Association. It was further stated that Colonel Jackson is operating without incurring any more expense than is absolutely necessary, and there was little chance that any such large expenditure as had been involved during the previous coal emergency would be encountered at this time. Mr. Coates moved that we approve the employment of Colonel Jackson and our participation in the work of the National Joint Fuel Committee, but that we limit the Association's share of the expense to a maximum of $4,000.00 for the present and that when that amount is reached the matter be taken up for further consideration. The motion was duly seconded and carried. COAL COMMISSION President Todd presented a letter from President Ogle of the National Coal Association with respect to the personnel of the Committee of the Fact Finding Tribunal," which it is expected Congress will approve in connection with the coal situation. Mr. Todd referred to the suggestion that Mr. R. M. Feustel be considered in this connection and suggested that he be considered for this position. The President also read a telegram from Colonel Jackson setting forth the difficult conditions in Washington with respect to securing proper consideration for utilities' requirements for coal. REPRESENTATIVE AT THE INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION'S CONVENTION Mr. Palmer stated that Mr. W. H. Maltbie had attended the International Traffic Officers' Association's Convention in San Francisco two years ago as the Association's representative, at its expense, and that as this Association was now holding a meeting in Washington, the Transportation Association thought that it was very desirable to keep in touch with their activities, 'particularly as Mr. Maltbie had been successful at the former meeting in preventing the inclusion of unfavorable regulations, and had kept in close touch with the work of the Committee in devising model traffic ordinances. He stated Mr. Maltbie was willing to devote his time, and in view of this he recommended that the Association defray his expenses at the International Traffic Officers' Association's meeting in Atlantic City, September 18-25. The motion was duly seconded and carried. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS Mr. Storrs, Chairman of this Committee, presented a modification in the proposed revision of the Constitution covering the number of meetings of the Executive Committee to be held during the year, eliminating the clause which fixed the determination of the number of meetings at the first meeting in the Association year. He stated 66 that it might be difficult to make this determination at that time and recommended that the clause at its first meeting in the Association year" be eliminated. The revised clause will then read: "the time and place of the regular remaining meetings shall be fixed by the Executive Committee." Mr. Palmer moved that the above change be made. INVITATION TO HAVE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS The Secretary presented a communication from the Brazilian Ambassador at Washington, asking that this Association have representative at the above Congress and stating that the Engineering Association had received an offer from Mr. V. L. Havens, Editor of the International Engineering News, to act in this capacity and that a letter had been received also from Mr. Calvin Rice, Secretary of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Mr. Palmer moved that Mr. Havens and Mr. Rice be suggested as our representatives of the above Congress. SECRETARYSHIP OF THE ACCOUNTANTS' AND CLAIMS ASSOCIATION Mr. Palmer brought up the suggestion which had been made previously that the Secretaryship of the Accountants' Association and also the Claims Association should be centered in the Headquarters office. He stated that he had been in communication with Mr. Webster, President of the Accountants' Association, and also with the Secretary of the Claims Association, and as a result of his discussion he believed that this change would be wise, and would be glad to take advantage of the facilities of the Headquarters office in order that duplication of work might be eliminated. He also referred to the successful manner in which the Engineering and Transportation Associations are handled in this way. In answer to a request, the Secretary stated that it was entirely practical to take over this work by the Headquarters office, although it might involve some additional expense at Conventions owing to the difficulty of having a representative present at all four affiliated Associations, whose sessions occur simultaneously in the afternoon. He suggested that it might be possible to have a temporary officer from each Association designated as acting Secretary. Mr. Palmer then moved that it be recommended to the above two Associations that some arrangement be effected whereby the Secretaryship of their respective associations might be centered in the Headquarters office. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MAIL PAY Mr. Palmer, Chairman of the Committee, reported that Mr. Maltbie, Counsellor of his company, had been working on the questionnaire which had been sent out by the Post-Office Department and the Committee to companies handling United States mail. He reported that the replies indicated that there was very strong evidence for securing an increase in revenues. A report will be presented to the Convention. There being no further business, the committee adjourned. President Todd called the meeting to order at the Drake Hotel, Chicago, Ill. Those present were: Messrs. R. I. Todd, B. I. Budd, C. D. Emmons, J. N. Shannahan, F. R. Coates, C. S. Kimball, L. H. Palmer, R. P. Stevens, W. H. Sawyer, H. E. Chubbuck, P. S. Arkwright, J. G. Barry, C. R. Ellicott (represented by Mr. C. H. Beck), L. E. Gould, George H. Tontrup, Thomas Finigan, and J. W. Welsh. Past President Charles L. Henry was also present. Messrs. Martin Schreiber, W. V. Hill and H. V. Bozell were present also. FINANCIAL REPORT OF SECRETARY The Secretary stated that the amount of unpaid dues to date was considerably less than in previous years, being approximately one-half that at the corresponding period last year. Estimate of Annual Financial Statement The Secretary also presented an estimated financial statement of the Association for the year based upon ten months' actual figures and two months estimated. This showed an estimated surplus of $50,656.00 as compared with $3,167.00 last year. The total estimated receipts for the year, including the exhibit, are $246,000.00, and the total estimated expense $199,000.00, leaving a net margin for the year's operations of $47,000.00. On motion of Mr. Shannahan, it was the sense of the Executive Committee that the Secretary had done very well during the year. REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE In the absence of Mr. Pardee, Chairman, Mr. Barry, a member of the Committee, presented the report of the Committee which was to be presented at the Convention. Mr. Barry further stated that it was the opinion of the Committee that the Secretary and the Headquarters office had met all demands made by the Association and had done most excellent work, but that in view of the large volume of work which was increasing, it would doubtless be necessary to incur further expenses during the coming year. He further reported that the books had been audited each three months and that the Committee felt a surplus of at least $50,000.00 and that possibly $75,000.00 or $100,000.00 was necessary for the welfare of the Association. On motion of Mr. Shannahan, the Committee on Finance was given a vote of thanks for the excellent work performed during the year. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON POLICY Mr. Budd, Chairman of the Committee, presented the report which was to be presented to the Convention. On motion of Mr. Palmer, the report of the Committee was accepted. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MEETINGS AND SUBJECTS This was presented by Mr. Palmer on behalf of Mr. C. D. Emmons, Chairman of the Committee. The report follows: To the Executive Committee of the American Electric Railway Association. GENTLEMEN. The Committee on Subjects and Meetings, under By-Law IX, is required "to suggest topics for the work of the Association and of the affiliated associations, for each year in advance. It shall make a report covering this last point at the meeting of the Executive Committee just preceding the annual meeting of the Association." These two sentences are quoted verbatim from By-Law IX. In compliance therewith, your Committee submits the following topics which have been suggested by members of the Executive Committee: We recommend for major study and discussion by the Association during the ensuing year, two general subjects: A. The up-building and further restoration of street railway credit. B. Study of the trackless transportation, particularly busses and automobiles, in their relation to electric railways. Under the first topic, these headings are suggested: 1. Flexible systems of fares. 2. Relief from paving special taxation and other unreasonable and inequitable burdens. 3. Education on valuation problems, so that valuation procedure and decisions may become simplified and standardized. 4. The use of simple indeterminate franchises subject to Commission control, if operation is now under short-term franchises. 5. Certificates of convenience and necessity from regulatory bodies for additions to present transportation facilities. 6. The unification of all local transportation under one agency. We have studied the work of the Committees that were appointed the past year and feel a continuance of the work by these same Committees, as previously outlined, is desirable. We have no further suggestions other than to call the attention of Committees to the necessity for being a little more diligent. In several instances, the Committees have held no meetings and other Committees have held only one. We feel this is an unfortunate situation and if a Committee is appointed to study a subject it should hold at least one meeting in order to properly do its work. In addition to the standing and continuing Committees, we have in mind for the continuance of work next year, Committees listed as follows: Co-operation with Manufacturers. Valuation. Electrolysis. Mail Pay. Education. Uniform Motor Vehicle Law. Trackless Transportation. Maintenance and Construction of Highways. It might be of value to the industry to have a special committee on Coal Supply appointed to study the situation and to make recommendations for the benefit of the companies in cases of shortage, caused by strikes or other troubles, in the future. This is earnestly recommended by one or two of our Executives and such a Committee should be able to accumulate some valuable data. We do not overlook the fact that we have two representatives on the Sub-Committee on Coal of the National Joint Committee of Public Utility Associations and we recommend that these two representatives be made members of this Special Committee. The work of general committees is largely covered by standing and such continuing committees as those on membership, co-operation with other associations, etc., and should, of course, continue to function as they have done in the past. Concerning the question of subjects for the four affiliated Associations, the Engineering Association and the Transportation and Traffic Association have committees on subjects which are making complete recommendations for next year's program for these two Associations, and we presume that these subjects will be referred in due course to the Policy Committee in accordance with By-Law VII. In connection with the Accountants' Association, we call attention to the value of budget control and recommend this for study by that Association. It is suggested that the work of the Committee on Relations with other accounting associations be enlarged, and that it continue work on Standard Classification of Accounts and on the study of Engineering Accounting. For the Claims Association, we feel that Accident Prevention should receive continued emphasis and further study, suggest also a study of Hooper-Holmes and local city bureaus, which exist in a number of larger cities, to increase their efficiency and broaden their scope, to the end that fraudulent accident claims may be reduced to a minimum. Yours very truly, C. D. EMMONS, On motion of Mr. Shannahan, the report was referred to the incoming Executive Committee. |