It has been, let us suppose, a regrettable necessity that prevented officials from organizing the present desultory practice into a system of at least three meetings a year when separated railway employees and their superiors could meet and discuss subjects pertaining to the relations existing between the company and its patrons. At such anticipated and informal conventions every one present is urged to express opinions. Traffic matters are viewed from different angles, the solitary agent who thinks himself and agency discriminated against, learns the larger reason for local inconvenience, outside representatives obtain a “close up” inspection of the chiefs in action and the plan, as a fixture, would become a sound, progressive measure as well as a distinctive advantage to the _esprit de corps_ of any transportation company’s staff. Man is a gregarious, sociable “critter”, fond of exchanging “idears”, an impressionable, flesh and blood individual quite like yourself, who easily responds to straightforward, properly timed overtures of the railway and steamship traveling fraternity, ever willing to concede you an “even break”, or better, if merited. Collectively they are the Central News Bureau in your line, diplomatically safeguarding your reasonable expectations. More prospects come to light, more new business is secured and resolved into renewals through the agency of ticket sellers and traffic men by the gradual ingratiating of personality than via any of the other mediums. An indiscreet, pugnacious official who, for instance, soberly declares that only his company’s wall map embodies all the virtues invites ridicule and gets it. Collaborate and hobnob with the nabob in the inner railway or warehouse sanctum sanctorum, and the next man down, if you will: they deserve that deference and “were poor once themselves”, but do not always flock with the headquarters staff and entirely overlook the other boys, nor the understudy to the traffic manager of those firms controlling ten cars per week or ten cases a month. They see and hear unthought of items of interest and possess long memories. Cultivate your recollection of faces and names, for to-morrow or next season a clerk may gravitate to “Depot or City Ticket Agent” and opportunity, with passengers leaving to his guidance and judgment “What route should we take” and it is to his address that advertising points the finger.