Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-15
RAILWAY POOLING
National Board of Trade Divided Upon
the Subject.
TIE CONTEST Is BETWEEN SECTIONS
Proceedings Of the Organization at
Session Today.
THE TOPICS DISCUSSED

Railroad pooling seems to be most i'm
portant question fer the consideration OF
the national board of trade, now holding
it's convention in Washington
A special committee of fifteen members
to which the matter was referred, was in
session until long after midnight, and then
adjourned without reaching a satisfactory
agreement Another effort will be made
TO dispose of the subject at the meeting OF
the committee tonight. 1t has developed
into purely sectional fight.
THE eastern cities like Boston, New
York and Philadelphia are favorable to
legislation that will legalize the pooling OF
rates, while our cities of the west like St
Louis. Kansas City, Chicago and Peoria
are as firmly opposed to such legislation, -
said A. J. Van Landingham. commissioner
of the st. Louis traffic bureau, who is a
member of the special committee, to Star
reporter today.
1--WE of the west believe that the east is
in position to protect itself, while we are
not. Western railroad property is owned
principally in the east, and that is the rea-
son the eastern delegates are favorable to
law legalizng pooling.
Il recognize that it is important 10 the
business interests of the country that the
railroads should earn enough to pay inter-
est, and that the railroad companies should
prosper; but object to placing my people
in their hands,"
Second Days Session.
The second days session of the national
board was begun this morning at 10 o'clock
al the banquet hall of the Shoreham Hotel.
While only scattering representation of
the members was observed when the chair
man raped for order, they continued to
come in. and the seats were well occupied
soon after the business was under way.
The first item of business taken up was
q resolution favoring the establishment of
postal savings banks. which was introduced
by the Chicago board of trade. 1t was
stated in that resolution that the people
should be encouraged to deposit their saw
ings in department OF the national gov
eminent.
The passage of the resolution was advo-
Gated by Mr.. Lyon of Chicago, VINO said
the secret of saving lies in beginning.
savings which would cultivate the business
habit, and in turn, the person would be-
come capable of handling money. He
thought such an institution would culti-
waite patriotism and would provide a safe
mode of investment for the peoples money,
would prevent panics and would call into
active use large sums of money that are
now boarded
Mr.. Hitchcock asked if Mr.. Lyon knew
what the government would do with this
money. In reply, Mr.. Lyon said he had
not given this phase of the subject at
tention. but it was now before Congress,
ana no doubt that body would devise some
means of Investing the money
Mr.. Hitchcock then went on to say that
II seemed to him such a system partook of
paternaiism that was foreign to our in
stitut1ons, and in addition to other objec-
lions which might be enumerated, he said,
1t would interfere with the business of the
savings banks. He thought the board
ought to go slow in recommending such a
measure.
Mr.. Haw!ey said the same system was in
operation in England, but he understood
that 1t was not profitable Another objec-
ton was that it would concentrate money
IN the cities, and also that it would inter-
1ere with the business of building asso-
ciaticls. etc,
After discussion. Mr.. Rice moved that the
question he referred to a committee of
tnree, TO report at the next meeting. He
said 1t was evident there was difference
of opinion, and, it was a matter that
was being discussed, it would be well to
provide for a further examination into the
question. The motion was adopted.
Artificial Irrigation.
system of artificial irrigation was the
next subject considered based on a reso-
luton offered by the Pittsburg chamber of
commerce, which recommended that Con-
gress enact laws as may place the SUPER
vision of all irrigation enterprises in the
hands of the United States authorities
where such work is undertaken upon water
ways affecting interstate navigation.
An addres, in advocacy of this resolution
was made by Mr.. Andrews of Pittsburg.
who said that, as Yearly one-half of the
area OF TINS country was arid, there was
no question, in his opinion, of the national
Importance of irrigation. He added that
the natio:,al water highways were inter-
Tered with by individuals. which affected
banks. He stated the problem was to
store the flood water in a chain of artiti-
cial lakes, which would do away with the
danger of floods and also would provide
water for irrigation purposes
general discussion followed. during
which 1t was stated that this was one of
the important questions now before the
country. and that the entire problem of the
mississippi valley water supply would have
to be studied out, especially as the popu-
laton of The country was increasing so
rapidly.
The resolutions were adopted and the ap-
pointment of committee to have charge
Of the matter and report at the next meet
ing was authorized.
The Importance Of enacting a national
trademark registration law was the sub
1ect of a resolution offered by the New
and which was adopted.
Penny Postage.
made by Mr.. Finley Acker, for the COM
mittee on postal affairs. 1t was claimed
that 1-cent postage was rot only equitable,
hut expedient, and that while II was al
legged that such reduction in the rates
would increase the postal deficit, yet the
report stated that the deficit is due to other
causes. among which may be mentioned
that second-class matter is carried by the
government at cost OF $4O,G1O,O0O while
the revenue from this source is only g 600
900; that the government now pays. to the
railroads the same rate for the transporta-
tion OF the mails as 1t did twenty years ago.
although the rate is much less to indiyid-
uais, and that bulky matter is carried for
Inc government department. All those
causes the report states. burden the
postal revenues of the country. These
points were Incorporated in Recommended
hons. which, after discussion, were re-
ferred to the committee appointed to con-
slider such matters.
Naval Reserves
revolution favoring the adoption of an
American system of navigating naval re-
serves and reported by the New York board
of trade and transportation, was taken up.
Mr.. G. Waldo Smith spoke of the growth
OF this system, and said that in a number
49,