The evening times., 1899-02-25
DEPEW TO RAILROAD MEN.
Speaks From Experience on Matters
of Interest to Them.

SpNal~s 1t rom on maIICrS
of Interest to Them.
Chicago Feb 25.-The armory of the
First Infantry was filled TO the doors by
an audience composed of members of the
Congress OF Railway Employees, TO hear the
address by Senator elect Chauncey NJ De-
pew, of New York, last night. The speak
er was warmly received by his audience at
the outset, and the expressions of approval
were numerous and frequent He recount
ed at some length the history of the rail-
road men in this country. and spoke of the
power they can WELD in politics when they
are determined upon the carrying of some
measure that they believe is for the good
OF the country or the betterment Of their
own condition.
The speech was to railroad men only.
and as consequence was somewhat of a
technical nature. In part the speaker said:
1t is time that the men who are dependent upon
the railroads for living should look after their
interests. not only as they are affected by the
operation of the several companies where they
are employed but they may be harmed or ben
Gifted by legislation. In being political. but not
partisan, you have entered upon the right course.
The moiaent labor. a trade, or a charitable
a relieiOus organization becomes identified with
the party the other and can be used to
promote the interests Of party managers and
party candidates. its usefulness has ceased But
when people who are united in the same general
cause are in politics only 50 lar 10 inform leg
iSlators, Governors, Congresses. and Presidents
of their situation, of their rights. Of their buSi-
ness. and OF contemplated wrongs or injuries to
them, then they are able 10 protect themselves.
He spoke at length concerning pooling
contracts between railroads and said:
believe that the right of railway companies
to form associations and to enter into pooling
contracts should be granted. but only under the
supervision of the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion. I believe in strengthening that Commits
sion. increasing its powers. and adding to its
dignity. because of the character OF the men upon
it. and OF the subjects with which it deals The
Commission should stand next in the confidence
of the people TO the Supreme Court of the United
States Give them absolute power over any pool
ing contract, and then this vexed question is
largely removed from the immature Judgment OF
politicians. and placed in the hands Of a COM
petent tribunal.
Competition is the remedy provided by the In
terstate Commerce law to prevent discrimina-
tiOns. The object of the framer of that law
to stimulate the normal efforts of rival lines
to draw business from each other. The COM
mission and the author Of the law now frankly
admit that the method has intensified the evils
it sought to cure. No other way has yet been
devised to accomplish the desired results than
pooling contracts, made under the supervision
and control of the Interstate Commerce Commits
SION This supervision and control take away
the dangers which were apprehended from these
combinations. The Government becomes party
to the contracts. The Government judges Of
their reasonableness before they can be execHtd
The Government keeps its eyes and hands upon
their workings and modifes annuIs them as
the public interests require.
l have not time to discuss Government owner
ship. / have studied the workings OF this syS-
TEN in Europe The service is such as would
not be tolerated in this country after our ex-
perience. The rates double ours, because the
government finds this an easy way to raise
revenues. The employees are virtually in the mil
itary service and governed by iron rules and
discipline. They are the mainstay Of the gov
ernment party in elections. and their places are
dependent upon voting they are ordered.
Their pay is about half that received for sim
liar service in the United States. A brief cxpe-
rience Of mine shows how with the whole op-
Grafton Of the roads would be al the mercy OF
politics and its accidents. if the railroads were
owned and run by the, Government.