appointed by the President of the Association, consisting of one representative of the parent Association, one representative from each of the four affiliated Associations, and one representative from the Allied Manufacturers' Association. The various questions involved in the issuance of the bulletin were taken up as soon as possible, and were given that`consideration which the novelty and seriousness of the undertaking required. In August the first number of the bulletin was issued, under the name AERA. Two further numbers, for September and October, have since been published. These various issues have reached all members of the Association, and the general characteristics of the publication should now be familiar to every one connected with the electric railway industry.

The Advisory Committee believes that the success which AERA has thus far achieved demonstrates the possibilities which it holds for useful accomplishment. The articles which have appeared in the publication are of a high class, and of interest to those connected with every department of electric railway work. In addition, a large amount of information upon various Association matters has been disseminated among members, and through the Question Box, a method of quickly and easily ascertaining approved methods of actual practice throughout the country has been furnished. Some of the articles-notably that of Mr. McCarter upon "Problems of the Industry," that of Mr. Crosby upon Public Policies and Public Utilities," and that of Mr. Calhoun upon the "San Francisco Strike" have dealt with the public side of certain broad phases of our industry in a way that must be effective in the formation of correct views upon some of the grave problems of the present day affecting public service utilities. This in itself is an exceedingly important feature of the AERA. The industry now for the first time has in this publication a natural and convenient means of addressing the public at frequent intervals, and expressing views which we believe to be correct and to be essential to our welfare with regard to matters of serious moment to the properties with which we are connected, but concerning which radically wrong opinions are widely entertained.

Too much stress cannot be laid upon the necessity to the success of AERA that it have the hearty support of every member of the Association. A high standard has been aimed at, and can be maintained, but only if the members of the Association manifest their interest by contributing articles, by giving general support to the Question Box, which should develop into a most valuable and practical department of the publication, and by building up the other features of the magazine.

At this point it should be stated that there is no intention through AERA, and in the opinion of the Committee, ought never

to be any intention to encroach upon the field of the technical press. Each, the AERA and the technical press, has its own field, and nothing like competition between the two should exist. On the contrary, each should complement the other in bringing about a result of value to the industry.

This report should not close without a reference to the strengthened interest in the Association and Association work, which it is believed that AERA will bring about. Manifestations of this result are already noted and as the publication gains in strength and stability will unquestionably become more and more apparent. Through it not only should the advantages of Association work which are nothing but the advantages arising from intelligent combination and co-operation — be more clearly recognized, but also those advantages themselves should be greatly enhanced. The increased harmony in the relation between the various branches of the Association which AERA cannot but promote, must be reflected in the work and accomplishments of the Association as a whole.

The Committee hopes that the members of the Association will aid in the success of the AERA by freely giving to the Secretary of the Association for consideration by the Advisory Committee of next year any suggestions which may occur to them for the improvement of the publication in any direction. With the general and hearty support of the members in these and other ways the success of the AERA to such an extent as to mark an epoch in Association history is assured.

VICE-PRESIDENT HARRIES:- What disposition will you make of the report?

MR. BURLEIGH-I move that the report be received and referred to the incoming Executive Committee.

VICE-PRESIDENT HARRIES:- Do you desire to make any comment or criticism on the publication?

MR. O'TOOLE:- There is no doubt in the minds of the officials of the company which I have the honor to represent that AERA will fill a want and will redound to the advantage of the industry. We are perfectly willing to avail ourselves of some of the good things the American Association is putting forward and we are thinking of following the footsteps of AERA to the extent of supplementing it with a bulletin for our Company Section which will be conducted along somewhat similar lines.

VICE-PRESIDENT HARRIES:-A formal report is usually the expression of one man's views. There are a number of men

here and the views of some of you may conflict with, or may support, the contention expressed by the one man. These reports should be more nearly Convention matters than the work of the committees. It is the discussion that makes the Convention a live one. The opportunity is here.

(The motion made by Mr. Burleigh was then put to vote and carried.)

VICE-PRESIDENT HARRIES ::- The next report is that of the Committee on Constitution and By-laws of which Mr. C. S. Sergeant, of Boston, is the chairman. The report will be presented by the Secretary.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CHANGES IN CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

To the American Electric Railway Association:

GENTLEMEN. Your Committee, acting under instructions of the Executive Committee, has considered the matter of the designation of the two classes of Association membership and with the approval of the Executive Committee, has recommended that in future the two classes be known as follows: companies as "company members," and individuals as "members."

The Committee has notified the member companies of its conclusions, as per letter which is a part of this report as Appendix A, and now desires to express the hope that this Convention will approve its suggestions as being such as will tend to strengthen the organization, by appealing to the interest of individuals connected with the industry. As stated in the letter, the word 'associate has seemed, in the minds of many of those whose names have been prominently connected with the history of electric traction, to carry with it the suggestion of ineligibility to full membership and was, therefore, distasteful to these gentlemen and practically served to prohibit their connecting themselves with an Association representing an industry in which their interests rest.

The Committee, per instructions, has also recommended an addition to the By-Laws covering the publication of the AERA.

Respectfully submitted,

C. S. SERGEANT, Chairman,

W. CARYL ELY,

E. C. FOSTER,

Committee on Changes in Constitution and By-Laws.

APPENDIX A.

To the Active Members of the American Electric Railway Association:

GENTLEMEN.- The Executive Committee of the American Association at its meeting in January last, took up and approved the plan of a new designation for the two classes of membership.

A number of individuals who have been more or less prominently connected with the electric railway development have expressed some objection to the term "Associate" in connection with their membership in the Association. They have complained that it did not seem to indicate that they were full members of the organization.

The Executive Committee considered this matter fully at the January meeting, and appointed the undersigned Committee to make the necessary changes in the constitution. The approved modifications are shown below, the changes being that the two classes of membership are now to be known as Company members and Members," the first embracing the electric railway companies and the second, individuals. The sections of the constitution which have been affected are shown below.

"

It is hoped that the coming Convention will express its approval of the new designations, which, in the judgment of the Committee, are altogether desirable.

Pursuant to instructions of the Executive Committee, your Cnmmittee also recommends an addition to the By-laws (as Section xx thereof) to provide for the publication by the Association of a monthly periodical, the issuance of which was approved by your Executive Committee at its January meeting.

September 7, 1912.

Respectfully submitted,

C. S. SERGEANT, Chairman,
W. CARYL ELY,

III. The membership of this Association shall consist of two classes as follows: (a) Active members, consisting of American urban and interurban railway companies, or lessees or individuals owners of urban and interurban railways or steam railways having electrified sections. Each member shall be entitled to one vote, which shall be cast by the properly accredited delegate.

(b) Associate members, consisting of individuals, copartnerships and corporations who are actively identified with urban and interurban railway interests, or with those of steam railways having electrified sections, and other persons who, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, have had experience of such a nature as to render desirable their connection with the Association. Associate members may ally themselves either directly with the American Association or with its Accountants' Association, its Engineering Association, its Claim Agents' Association or its Transportation and Traffic Association, provided such associate membership con orms to the Constitution and By-laws of the designated organization. Only those eligible, as determined by its Executive Committee, to the Executive sessions of the American Association Conventions, may be allied directly with the American Association. Excepting that they shall not be entitled to vote or hold office, the privileges of the associate members shall be similar to those of the active members, and in general, these privileges shall be as follows:

III. The membership of this Association shall consist of two classes, as follows: (a) Company members, consisting of American urban and interurban railway companies, or lessees, or individual owners of urban and interurban railways or steam railways, having electrified sections. Each company member shall be entitled to one vote, which shall be cast by the properly accredited delegate.

(b) Members, consisting of individuals, copartnerships and corporations who are actively identified with urban and interurban railway interests, or with those of steam railways having electrified sections, and other persons, who, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, have had experience of such a nature as to render desirable their connection with the Association. Members may ally themselves either directly with the American Association or with its Accountants' Association, its Engineering Association, its Claim Agents' Association or its Transportation and Traffic Association, provided such membership conforms to the Constitution and By-laws of the designated organization. Only those eligible, as determined by its Executive Committee, to the executive sessions of the American Association Conventions may be allied directly with the American Association. Excepting that they shall not be entitled to vote or hold office, the privileges of the members shall be similar to those of the company members, and in general, these privileges shall be as follows:

BY-LAWS PROPOSED AMENDMENT.

xx. The Association shall institute a monthly publication to be called AERA, which shall be under the management of the Secretary, who shall act under the general supervision of an Advisory Committee, subject to approval by the Executive Committee as to the policy thereof and the expenditures therefor. The annual subscription price of the AERA shall be Two Dollars ($2.00) and is included in the annual dues of the members.

VICE-PRESIDENT HARRIES:- In the absence of objection the report will be accepted and filed.

The next Report will be that of the Special Committee on Relations with the Sectional Associations, of which Mr. C. L. Henry, of Indianapolis, is Chairman.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER THE MATTER OF RELATIONS WITH SECTIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

To the American Electric Railway Association:

GENTLEMEN. Your Committee to Consider the Matter of Relations with Sectional Associations begs leave to submit the following report:

On account of the fact that the various sectional associations are located in many parts of the entire country, and the further fact that many members of the Committee have been so busily engaged with other affairs, it has not been possible to get any satisfactory meeting of the entire Committee during the year, or to give any careful consideration to the relations of some of the other organiations to this Association.

Your Committee is pleased, however, to be able to report that the almost universal feeling among the various sectional associations is in entire harmony with the purposes and work of this Association; and while we have not been able to do much work as a Committee, we are able to say that we did not find any work necessary to be done.

Committee to Consider the Matter of Relations with Sectional Associations.

Discussion of the Report of the Committee to Consider the Matter of Relations with Sectional Associations

VICE-PRESIDENT HARRIES:- Gentlemen, what action will you take on this report? Shall it be filed and the Committee. continued?

MR. TINGLEY: I do not see Mr. Fehr, the President of the Pennsylvania State Association, in the room. At a meeting of