Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-01-31
Roosevelt Discusses the Need of
Railroad Legislation at Union
League Club Banquet
WANTS SQUARE DEAL FOR ALL
The Law Should be So Framed, Says
the President, That the Big Shipper
and Little Shipper Shall Fare Alike
Control Must Come Thru National
Government.

Philadelphia, Jan. 31.-President
Roosevelt was the guest of honor and
principal speaker last night at the
forty second anniversary banquet oil
the Union League The president came
to this city over the Pennsylvania
from Annapolis. where he attended the
exercises yesterday afternoon incident
to the graduation of the senior class
of cadets. An immense throng greet
ed President Roosevelt at the station
and he received an ovation on his way
10 the Union League, which he ac-
knowledged by continually raising his
hat. At the club house he passed thru
Two lines of cheering members OF the
life room, when from 6: Is to o'clock
ae stood and shook hands with several
hundred prominent citizens. The First
sroop, Philadelphia city cavalry. acted
- the presidents escort while he re-
manned in the city.
The banquet was a marvel of the
decorators art. The national colors
predominated in the floral and electro
cal effects, and the tables were desig-
mated by letters in red, white and
blue, forming the name of "Roose-
Welt" President Roosevelt occupied
seat in the center of the guests table
With President Salisbury Of the Union
League on his right and United States
Senator Penrose on his left. Seated at
the same table were Former Postmas-
Ter General Emory Smith, Congress
man Bingham, Surgeon General Rixey,
Major General Frederick s. Grant
Lieutenant General S. B. M. Young,
Governor Lea, of Delaware. Governor
stokes Of New Jersey, and Mayor
Weaver, of this city. Governor Penny
packer of Pennsylvania was indisposed
and could not attend. e
Former Postmaster General Smith
was also one Of the speakers Of the
evening. His address was devoted to
! history of the Union League.
In introducing President Roosevelt,
Mr.. Salisbury referred to him as the
only vice president having succeeded
20 the office of president thru the
leath Of predecessor.
When President Roosevelt rose to
make his address he was greeted with
ong continued applause.
President Speaks.
On the question of railroad legisla-
ton. the president said:
At the present moment the great
est need is for an increase in the pow
or of the national government to keep
the great highways of commerce open
like to all reasonable and equitable
terms. Less than century ago these
highways were still, as they had been
since the dawn of history, either water
ways, natural or artificial, or else ordi-
nary roads for wheel vehicles drawn
by animal power. The railroad, which
vas utterly unknown when our gov
arnment was formed and when the
yreat principles of our Jurisprudence
we're laid down. has now become al
most everywhere the most important,
and, In many large regions, the only
form of highway for commerce. The
man who controls it's use cannot be
permitted to control it in his own in
terest alone.
ut is not only just, but it is in the
interest of the public that this man
should receive the amplest payment
for the masterful business capacity
which enables him to benefit himself
while beneftting the public; but in re-
turn he must himself recognize his
duty to the public. He will not and
cannot do this If our laws are so de-
fective that in the sharp competition
of the business world, the conscientious
man is put at disadvantage by his
less scrupulous fellows. 1t Is in the
interest of the conscientious and
public-spirited railway man that there
should be such governmental supervis-
ion of the railway traffic of the coun-
try as to require from his less scrup-
ulous competitors, and from the I'M
scrupulous big shippers as we'll, that
heed to the public welfare which he
himself would willingly give, and which
is of vital Importance to the small
shipper. Every important railroad is
engaged in interstate commerce
Therefore, this control over the rail-
roads must come thru the national
government.
The control must be exercised by
some governmental tribunal, and it
must be real and effective. Doubtless
there will be risk that occasionally, II
an unfit president is elected, this con-
troll will be abused; but this is only