The Washington times., 1905-05-04
Courtesies to Delegates,

| The proper courtesies to the represen-
tatives of those European governments
which exercise control of railroads. and
to the delegates from the railroads
| themselves have been extended. The
| highest officer of the Governmnt now
| in Washington was the first speaker to-
day, and his welcome TO the visitors VF-sS
as cordial as it was sincere. StuyEea1lt
Fish. who followed Mir. Fairbanks. pres
ident OF the American Railway Asso-
citation, spoke for the railroad men OF
! the country and assured the foreigners
of their welcome and of the honor
America felt In having the congress hold
its seventh session at the nations Cap
ital.
In the absence of NJ. Dubois, chairman
OF the permanent commission of the
congress, today's session was presided
over by N Ernest Gerard, inspector
general of railroads in Belgium.
IN addressing the delegates to Wash
iington, Vice President Fairbanks said
| those who came as representatives of
foreign governments needed no assur-
ance from hir1 that the American peo-
pie welcomed them with that genuine
and generous hospitality with which for
eigners always received Americans. The
assembling Of the International Railway
distinguished men that attend 1t, is al
ways an important event.
The Vice President then touched upon
the instrumentality OF the railroad ia
the development OF civilization.
1T tends" said Mr.. Fairbanks, "to
knit peoples together by the ties of mu-
tlal interest and mutual respect. 1t has
pushed forward the frontiers OF civil
izat:on and brought the waste places un-
der cultivation. II has had a profound
Influence upon the commerce and GUS
toms OF the people of the entire world.
It has become the artery through which
flows the worlds commerce, giving life
and vitality To countless communities
ana manifold industries. II is inextrica-
bly, woven into the social and CONNER
ciaI life of millions of the human race"
Rates on Railroads.
With the subject of railway rates Mr.
Fairbanks dealt carefully. After calling
attention to the fact that the demand
for lower rates goes hand in hand with
the demand on the part Of the railroads
for increased carrying capacity at the
minimum cost OF operation, he said:
In the rapid evolution of this great
instrument OF civilization il is not UNI
natural that abuses should arise. AS
we survey the past we can see how
much experience and enlightened judg-
ment have served to eradicate many of
the wrongs which have existed
az Is too much 10 expect, where such
so many people. al SO many points. that
all OF the inequalities should have been
removed. we may hope that a spirit
OF justice and ampler knowledge may
lead 10 the removal of the present de-
fects and the prevention of evils in the
future.
The railway. by It's very nature, is
charged with great public duties It is
In the highest sense public servant
land must discharge its functions with
iimpartiahty, giving to all whom 1t
rnS ire ~ ff
service is the predicate OF good rela-
tions between the railway and the pub
lie It IS OF The utmost Importance that
: unjust favoritism should not obtain;
that rates should be open and enjoyed by
all alike. Nothing SO quickly and sure
~ lays the foundation OF distrust and
should be publicity. as inequality where
there should be equality, Transporta-
ton charges must be fixed with a just
regard TO the owners. employees and the
public. The interests of none can be
disregarded without ultimate injury TO
all.
Mr.. Fish's Address.
Mr.. Fishs address included most
interesting description Of the growth
! OF railroads After speaking OF the
pleasure il gave American railroad
men to welcome 10 this country the
foreign delegates. Mr.. Fish began his
, historical sketch with a description of
the requirements of a prize contest ar
ranged by the Liverpool and Nanches-
ter railroad IN 1925 in ORDER to procure
. the best locomotive for the use Of their
| road.
The engines had To run backward
and forward On a track a mile and
, three-quarters IN length ten times in
} order TO run thirty-ffve miles ."rhe
} Rocket" bdilt by Robert Stephenson.
Of Newcastle, won the prize of s2 500
over the two others which competed.
! The part Oliver Evans, of Philadel-
pllia played in the development of the
railway By making the first high-pres-
sure, double-action engine in 1887,
which was afterward used in iocomo-
| tives and many other features OF the