Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-04
ROYALTY ENTERTAINED
American Railway Guild
Hosts at Banquet
AT RALEIGH HOTEL
SECRETARY MORTON MAKES
NOTABLE ADDRESS.
Takes Rate Legislation as His Theme
Important Railway Magnates
Present-Other Addresses.

The most prominent railway men of Eu-
rope were the guests of the American Rail-
way Guild at dinner at the Raleigh Hotel
last night. The guild is the principal social
organic ton of the railroad operators or
this country and their preparations for the
entertainment of their guests were most
elaborate The banquet was made men,
orable to the Americans who attended it
by speech made by Secretary Paul Nor
ton of the Navy Department. in which he
endeavor to outline briefly the attitude
of the President toward railway rate legs
latlOn. President Baer of the Philadelphia
and Reading railroad also made an address
before the assemblage. in which he took
occasion to pay glowing tribute to the
President and to declare that he believed
the President means to do what is right
There were about two hundred diners
about the nine long tables in the banquet
hall of the Raleigh. Among them were the
most important railroad magnates of this
country and a full representation of the
officials of the great railroad systems of
Europe. The dinner was given in honor of
the members of The permanent commission
of the interna tional congress- and almost
every one of the members of the commits
sion present Mr.. Theodore n. Ely. mas
ter of the guild and an officer of the Penn
sylvania railroad, was the POSTMASTER.
The speakers were Secretary Morton NJ.
Ernest Gerard of Belgium; Mr. George F.
Baer of the Philadelphia and Reading rail-
road; Mr.. Clifford Pinchot, director of for
estry of the United States; NJ Ramaekers
of Belgium and Mr.. w. F. Allen. secretary
OF the American section of the permanent
commission. The banquet hall was lavishly
decorated for the occasion Wild flowers
and sarlands of green almost hid the ia bles
and were drape1 about the walls. At a
hong table. running the length of the room
list ntyItiG bal
were seated. and at eight tables running at
right angles to the long table were seated
the other guests The diners assembled
about the tables at O'Clock. Handsome
souvenirs in the shape of books bound in
red silk and embossed in gold. with minia-
ture locomotives in bas relief which con-
tanned the menu and program. were at each
place in addition TO the usual boutonnieres
When the menu had been served Mr.. ELY
read message from President Roosevelt.
sending his greetings to the guild and a
toast 10 the President was drunk standing
Mr.. Morton's Address.
Secretary Morton was introduced to re-
spond to that toast. He said:
1T Is always q great honor to be called
upon to respond to the toast The Presi-
dent but it is q very rare distinction in
deed TO be invited to do so before an audi
cree of this character at time when there
Is In that office man of so many extraor-
binary qualities as Theodore Roosevelt
remarkable men of all the rare men who
have occupied the White House. AS ear
nest In his love of country as Washington
as far-seeing as Jefferson. as courageous as
Jackson. as much opposed to slavery of any
and all kinds as Lincoln, he stands robust
in his Integrity and character and sturdy in
his determination that there shall be a fair
zeal all around. lie is looking at all times
for the greatest good to the greatest num-
Der. has a clear conception of what 1t is,
and never falters in trying to accomplish it.
Endowed with great comprehension and
sympathy for all classes, he is perfectly at
Rome in any environment He treats every
man. regardless of his station in life as a
8 man. and not in the slightest degree does
he believe In tOadying to those who have
much nor in depressing those who have
little. He believes in the man who can hold
his own with the strong and who will not
prosecute the weak, but he insists that
every good citizen must do mis- full share of
the work of the world. He aims TO be the
friend of every decent man.
1T will not be amss on this occasion
before this assemblage, for to say
something of the attitude of the President
on the railroad question. He wants moth
ing but that which is right, and he is just
as anxious that no injustice shall be done
TO the railroads as he is that justice shall
be done TO the public. Unfortunately, there
have been abuses in the transportation
business. Fortunately they are growing
less every year. 1t is very gratifying to
those who know that today there is less
discrimination fewer rebates and more
equality in freight rates than ever before
in the history of the country. But. through
one device or another there still remain
here and there preferential rates which
favor certain large shippers and which
bear down unjustly on others. This is the
condition of affairs that the President is
doing his best TO remove. The private
sidetrack arrangements by which unfair
inside rates have been enjoyed by some
of the big industries of the country, the
earning of more than fair return on pri-
missions of various sorts rebates or
preferential rates in any form ought to be
entirely discontinued l am sure there is
not railroad man here who does not
heartily approve of this declaration. My
own opinion is that If all vicious discrimi-
nations can be abolished the question OF
rates will adjust itself. / consider ii
great piece. of good fortune for every man,
woman and child in this country that in
the settlement of this matter the rights of
property as well as the rights of the peo-
pie. are not to be overlooked ythe Pres-
dent All he wants in railroad legislation
is that which is fair and chat which will
endure.
Ideal American Citizen.
ITO me Theodore Roosevelt typfies the
ideal American citizen. Fond of outdoor
life vigorous in health and honor, enthusi-
astic In his love of country, strong advo-
cate of the purity of the home, safe and
sound in mind. always courageous in try
ing to accomplish what he thinks right in
private and In public affairs, he leads
straight away for the very best. and varies
neither TO the right nor to the left /
Know of no man VINO possesses a greater
fund of general information. I know of no
man who has the interest of the public
more at heart. / know of no man more
anxious to receive or quicker to follow
good advice. l know of no man who studies
harder or works so hard in trying to bring
about conditions that for the good of
mankind. l know of no man who has more
ole ieyi1t - luia