The Washington times., 1905-10-23
RAILROADS COVET
BACON CONVENTION
Aim to Control Meeting for
Rate Regulation.
STRONG APPEAL IS ISSUED
Presidents Opponents Urge Associa-
tions TO Send Delegates to Chicago
to Gust Present Control.

AS was outlined and forecasted In
The Times two months age there Is
going to be a determined contest for
control of the interstate commerce law
convention. which has been called by
Chairman Z. p. Bacon to meet In Chi
cago October 26.
Developments OF the last few days
have made 1t plain that the opponents
of President Roosevelt's legislative pro-
gram are determined to capture control
OF the coming convention, If it is in
their power. To this end, a committee
representing a number of large manu-
featuring and shipping organizations has
sent out a Macedonian appeal. address,
ed ITO the trade. Industrial, and pro-
oucing organizations of the country
Demand Free Speech.
They declare that Chairman Bacon
proposes to conduct his convention with
gag rule; that free speech will not be
allowed; that he proposes to have
committee on credentials which will bar
from representation any organization
which Will not declare itself to be in
sympathy with the letter and spirit in
all detail OF the Presidents plan of rate
regulation
All this is recognized by politicians
and business men as forecasting a con-
test for control of the convention.
1t has been understood for a long
time that the Presidents opponents were
trying to organize the strongest possible
body OF opinion among business inter-
ests against the Presidents plan. This
work has been done through political.
business. railroad. and personal agen-
caess and has reached all parts of the
country, and all lines of business.
1t was supposed until very recently
that the opponents of Chairman Bacon
would hardly attempt to capture con-
troll OF his convention, but instead
would call a convention of their own
and would undertake to secure so large
and influential an attendance as would
overshadow the Bacon gathering and
make II appear insignificant by com
parison. But now it is plain that the
intention is to make a sQuare-toed fight
for control of the Chicago gathering.
II this succeeds. It viii mean that
Bacon will be at least fguratively
thrown out OF HIS own organization, and
that the interests which oppose Bacon
RtirN plan OF President Roosevelt of Civ
ing the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion the power TO influence rates in GER
control Of the very body which original
ty initiated the movement.
Chairman Bacon, however, does not
propose 10 De defeated without q show
Ing. The call for his convention of Oc-
tober % states specifically that It's OBJ
3ect is to impress upon Congress the
for legislation outlined in the Presi-
dents last annual message TO Congress
IN the following language: The Inter
vested with The power, where a given
rate has been challenged and after full
hearing found to be unreasonable, to
shall be a reasonable rate to take its
place; the ruling of the commission to
take effect Immediately and TO obtain
unless and until it is reversed by the
court OF review"
Will Unseat Enemies.
Bacon explains that this feature of
the call will make ie impossible for dele
gates to secure seats In the convention
who are not in favor of the Presidents
plan in all detail Likewise, he says.
while he does not propose to set him
self up a committee on credentials.
there will be such a committee, and IT
VIII refuse 10 seat delegates who are not
thoroughly and unaualifedly in har-
mony with both the general purposes
and the particular methods of the Presi-
dent
Thus 1t appears that the real control
OF the convention Will be the committee
on credentials. If the Bacon people sue |
ceed in their plan OF having Chairman !
Bacon name this committee of three |
they will be In control and able TO re- /
!ect delegates OF any organization which |
they consider antagonistic.
The Opposition, however is determined
10 continue its contest for control. They
call upon all organizations in sympathy |
Win Win tne cause OF free speech and full |
discussion TO send delegates and Insist