The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-05-16
RATE DISCUSSION
AGAIN THE TOPIC
AT ANOTHER RAILWAY BANQUET
IN WASHINGTON.
Emperor William Cables congratula.
tions, and Thanks of the Con.
gress Are Returned.

| washington, ~. u, May ll.-hate
discussion again formed the back
ground of the addresses at the second
banquet rendered the Interstate Rail-
way Congress by the American Rail-
way Association tonight. 1t was more
the aftermath of the debate between
President Fish and Secretary Taft two
evenings ago than an open discussion,
and the speeches proved for the most
part a felicitious interchange of good
will.
The following cablegram was read
from Emperor william:
Il send my greetings to the Interna-
tional Railway Congress, in which for
the first time German delegates partic-
ipate. May the personal exchange of
iueas among the most prominent rail-
way men of the word assembled in
Washington be of lasting benefit to in
ternational traffic, the development of
which is the most efficient way of fos-
tering mutual understanding and
bringing together the nations in
peace"
In reply Chairman Fish sent the
thanks Of the congress :or the emper-
or's message and wished him long life
and happiness.
Postmaster General Cortelyou was
introduced to discuss the relations of
the mails to railways. He began by
saying that after reading of the occur
rences at the banquet Tuesday evening,
when Mr.. Fish and Secretary Taft had
their debate, he was surprised to dis
ering. and no evidence of the gladia-
torial art
Il expected at least some indications
of bloody combat In this hail." he said.
Sir George Armitage, one of the
English delegates, on behalf of the for
eigners, thanked the hosts of the even
ing for the hospitality that has marked
the treatment of foreign delegates
throughout the congress.
He was followed by Baron Speck
Won Sternberg, the German embassa-
dor.
Despite the international character
of the occasion, the speech of George
Baldwin, general counsel of the c., B.
~. rai ,hn ha 90 l.
er, was taken as the official reply of the
American railway men to Secretary
Taft's rate speech. After discoursing
upon the vast agricultural and indus
trial growth of the west, following the
opening of the trans-continental rail-
roads. Mr.. Baldwin launched into an
outspoken rate talk
at is now said that for the few there
is abundance and for the many pow
erty," he said. Those who hold this
view wish to take from the builders
of the vast railroads of America this
privilege of selling their product at
their own prices. The laws of supply
and demand and of competition are not
W iuiV 'o'SS' pub Ny q law pdSStu ny
the house of representatives, seven
men are to be given the legislative
power to fix the rates. the judicial pow
er to determine whether they are fol-
lowed, and the executive power to en-
force them. No legislation can be en-
acted that will give the executive such
tremendous power.
81 come from the great west, and |
say there is no deep-seated demand for
rate regulation. If contemplated legis-
lation means anything, 1t means a
transfer OF the management of the rail-
roads from their present owners to
seven men appointed by the executive
and a transfer of the legislative func-
ton to the executive. This problem
cannot be settled by course that will
result in governmental reprisal and
aggression. A law, to be law, must
protect the last dollar OF the million
aire as jealously as the widows mite.
II such a law as some now contem--
plate is passed, II will be only mask
for the folly Of socialism SIN or the reaLl
lied dream OF doctrinary."