The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-12-16
THEY ARE
PULLING
TOGETHER

Although President Roosevelt did not
name IN his message the railroad presi-
dent whose opinions he quoted With so
much approval. concerning the proper
attitude of railroad managers toward the
public and the quality OF the relations
which II is desirable should exist between
corporations and the people whom they
serve. Il was easy TO recognize the quo
tatlon as from a speech by that highly
honored former citizen OF St Paul. Mr..
Charles 8 Mellen, says the St. Paul ffo-
neer Press II was delivered shortly af-
ter his resignation or the presidency OF
the Northern Pacific. railroad and his ac-
ceptance OF a similar position at the head
OF great New England system.
Placed I'm connection With the presi-
dents adoption of Mr.. Mellen's views as
expressed In that speech, the report that
the latter has been invited TO the White
House 10 counesl with Mr.. Roosevelt I'm
relation TO the proposed enlargement Of
the powers OF the interstate commerce
commission and other matters Affecting
the railroads, touched upon the message,
is extremely significant Mr. Mellen has
the somewhat rare, II not unique, dis
tinction OF being a railroad man heart
and osul. devoted 20 the interests OF his
their relations with the people from the
standpoint OF the people. He is broad
minded enough To see that no corpora
tion can gain the highest and best re-
suits for itself which fails To seek In its
MANAGEMENT the highest and best service
for the public. How like Mr. Roosevelts
evn style OF thought IS that OF Mr.. Mel.
len when ne says:
III corporations are 10 continue 10 do
the worlds work. as they are best fitted
-, those qualities in their representatives
that have resulted In the present prejudice
against them must be relegated TO the
background. The corporations must come
out into the open and see and be seen.
They must take the public into their con-
ndence and ask for what they want, and
no more. and be prepared to explain sat
isfactorily what advantage will accrue To
the public II they are given their desires :.
for they are permitted To exist 10, that
they may make money solely. but that
they may effectively serve those from
whom they derive their power
Publicity and not secrecy. will win
hereafter. and laws be construed by their
intent and not by their letter. otherwise
public utilities will be owned and
operated by the public which created
them. even though the servt1S .'s less
efficient and the result less satisfactory
from a financial standpoint"
OF course the old style OF railway mag
nate. who considers his only obligations
10 be 10 his board OF directors and stock
holders and that good business" con
sists I'm getting the largest immediate ro-
turns, by whatever expedient from the
operation OF his road. regardless OF the
good will or III will OF the people. wiz
not indorse Mr.. Mellens views Neither
will that other magnate whose fortune
is being piled up by operations I'm watered
stocks. boosting or depressing shsres-to
whom a railroad Is not primarily q public
service corporation. but n mere basis for
speculation. Both will regard President
Rooseyelt's act I'm calling MIR Mellen--an
iconoclast among the gods OF Wall
rtreet-into hts counsels as further proof
that Roosevelt is dangerous man"
But the people will applaud The
thousands who hold railway shares as
an Investment. and who desire nothing SO
much as stability and safety in railroad
managsment. will also applaud. at least
those who are not blinded by iilegimate
pronts. The peoples president and the
railroad president work hand IN hand for
the establishment OF just conditions.
whereunder every American citizen shall
be able 10 feel that every railroad he uses
is managed as much for his benefit as
for that OF any other citizen. The two
are looking for an era when the railroad
management OF the country shall. by
Continued on page Four.