The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-29
MUST wake UP .
Federation of Commercial In
terests Is In Session.
Necessity for Lower Freight
Rates Is Urged.
HACKNEY'S ADDRESS.
Calls Attention to Importance
of Railroad Board.
Business Men Should See That
Railroads Shouldn't Control.

The Commercial club room was
crowded beyond it's normal capacity at
the meeting of the State Federation of
Commercial interests this morning and
a number of the delegates who came
late were unable to get in. This after
moons meeting is being held at the
council chamber in the Auditorium
where there is more space for the two
hundred or more men who have come
for the gathering. This years meeting
has aroused a widespread interest
through the shipping towns of the state
largely because it is believed that this
organization will be able to exert an in
fuence in the next political compaign in
which members of the board of railroad
commissioners are to be elected.
The utmost dissatisfaction was mani
tested at this mornings gathering with
the present railroad commission and at
the existing condition of railroad rates.
The morning meeting was called for the
election of officers and for a general
discussion of the activities of the COM
ing year. It has been proposed that the
Kansas federation shall maintain at
Nv aSh1nStOn, ID. G., a representative to
use his influence in favor of the passage
of the bill amending the present inter-
state commerce bill This measure is
generally in favor Of the shipping inter-
ests of the country and has been
cial organizations OF the entire United
States. 1t is probable that it will meet
decided opposition. The matter of look
ing after the bill has been placed in the
hands of the executive committee with
power to act. S. r. Peters of Newton
will probably be detailed to go to Wash
ington in behalf of the measure.
Senator Harry Mcmillan, of Mime
apolis, who was active in his support of
much beneficial railroad legislation in
the last legislature, was this morning
elected president of the federation. The
other officers chosen are: Secretary, H.
L. Resing Wichita; treasurer, T. J. An
derSOn, Topeka; vice presidents-Her-
bert Hackney, Topeka, First district
H. A. Taylor, Olathe, Second district;
NJ. L. Wertman, Winfield Third dis
trict; George Plumb, Emporia, Fourth
district; W. w. Watson, Salina, Fifth
district; M. M. Sherman, Geneseo, Sixth
district; G. H. Hunter, Wellington,
Seventh district.
The principal subject of this morn
Ing discussion was the attitude which
the State Federation of Commercial
interests shall assume with relation to
the impending state political campaign.
That the proper sort of a board of rail-
road commissioners shall be elected
next fall, the federation having been
instrumental in securing the election of
the board by popular vote, is the inn
portant matter now in hand.
1t is to the interest of the federation
be placed in nomination but there is
much opposition to the suggestion that
the federation shall take a hand in
having the names placed.
In order that the position of the fed
GRAFTON should be permanently secured
an amendment to the constitution was
introduced at this mornings meeting
providing that the organization should
always maintain strictly non partisan
attitude. There was much discussion
following its introduction and action
on it was finally suspended until sub
sequent session.
At this mornings session Secretary
Resting of Wichita made several inter-
esting reports upon the results of pres
ent railroad freight ratings with refer
ence to the cost of shipping in Kansas
above that in other states. This mat
ter will be given fuller attention al
subsequent meetings.
MR. HACKNEY'S ADDRESS,
In his annual address before the Kan
eas Federation Of Commercial Interests
President Herbert Hackney said:
"a little more than q year ago many