El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-03-06
LINK AND PIN.
MR., DEpEW TO RAILROAD MEN

MR.. DEpEW TO RAILROAD MEN
He Speaks In Chicago FROM PraC
tical Experience In Matters o
Interest To Them.
Chauncey M. Depew, senator-elec
from New York, and former presiden
of the New Yock Central railway, ad-
dressed ct Chicago February "a an au-
dience comp posed of members of the
Congress of Railway Employees. The
speaker was warmly received by his
audience at the outset, aud the express
sions of approval were numerous and
frequent. He recounted at some length
the history of the railroad men in this
country and spoke of the power they
can WELD in politics when they are de
termined 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 railr DAD 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 q
living should look after their interests,
not only as they are affected by the
operation OF the several companies
where they are employed, but as they
may be harmed or benefited by legis-
lation. In being political, but not
partisan, you have entered upon the
right course. The moment a labor, q
trade or a charita BILE or a religious Or
ganizatioo becomes identified with the
one party Or 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 so far as to
inform legislators, governors, congress
ses and presidents of their situation, OF
their rights, of their business and of
contemplated wrongs or injuries to
them, then they are able to protect
themselves.
Speaking of state legislation in New
York for control of railroads, he said:
After bitter struggle in our own
state of New-York, which lasted some
years, and which threstened the COM
mercial supremacy of the state aud
city. As " ell as the destruction of the
New York Central railroad as a divi-
dend-paying company, | met, by the
authority of MIR. Vanderbilt, these
commercial bodies. We discussed
these questions for months; we took
volumes of testimony. L became con
vinced that of the three methods of
meeting the question-ownership by
the state or the national government,
universal consolidation, not only of
connecting but also of competing lines,
and state AID national super vision
the last was the true solution of the
whole difficulty. 1t required the unit
ed strength of the commercial bodies
and "f the railroads to induce our
legislature, so heated had the public
feeling become, to create
railway commission and give
it these supervisory powers.
It got in full operation about the time
that 1 became president of the New
York Central railroad. For the four
teen years of my administration, and
until it's close, 1 was brought in con-
slant contact with the commission and
it's operations. aud felt that it would be
strengthened by having upon it q rail
way man from the working force, and
secured an amendment to that effect.
Mich ael R;ckard, locomotive engin-
eer, was appointed. The New York
Central has never resisted any order
of the commission. Directly its orders
have cost the company hundreds OF
thousands of dollars year,
but Indirectly the benefits to
the public and to the
company have been incalculable.
ploye k ow5 that q two cent postage
stamp will carry his complaint to
Albany, and that IL will be Immediate
ly heard. He need be at no expense,
for the commission will undertake to
act in his behalf. The railway ques-
zion has disappeared from New York
politics. Vindicti. oppressive and
striking railway bills have disappear
ed from the legislature. The people
have so much confid in the com
mission that it's recommendations meet
with the approval of the legislatures
and governors.
He spoke at length concerning pool
ing ntracts between railroads and
said:
l believe the right of railway con-
panies to form associ tions and to enter
into pooling contracts should be grant
ed but only under the supervision of
the interstate commerce commission
| believe in strengthening the COM
mission, Increasing its power and
adding To it's 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
confideu"e of he people to the supreme
court of the United States. Give them
abso u'e power over any pooling
eoutracs, and then this vexed question