Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-26
DELEGATES IN CLASH
Interstate Commerce Meet
ing.
A LIVELY CONVENTION
MEMBERS IN A MIXUP AT CHI
CAGO.
Gree Speech" Advocates Demand En-
trance to Hall - Exciting
Scenes Enacted.

interstate commerce law convention which
was scheduled to be called In Steinway Hall
at 10 am. Facing the possibility of being
denied admittance, arrangements were
made to hold trump convention, If
necessary, to protest against what the
free speech" partisans term gag" rule.
Matters were apparently in chaos among
| the regulars early in the day. The oppo-
sition had developed such strength that the
convention was late in assembling. 1t was
| said before the convention was called to
order that the opposition. which is said
by the convention managers to represent
| the railroads. would be denied admission.
The so-called railroad faction of dele
gates to the interstate commerce law con-
vention met at the green room of the
Auditorium annex this morning to precare
for an expected conflict with the "regu-
lars at convention hall. Prior to the
meeting a the Auditorium annex coal deal
ers who are identified with the railroad
element met at the Great Northern Hotel,
and after satisfying themselves that their
credentials were satisfactory proceeded in
a body to the annex, where d. NJ. Parry,
president Of the National Manufa cturers'
Associate and other so-called railroad
delegates were assembled.
AS soon as the coal delegates arrived
the question of the mode of procedure to
be adopted was raised. Mr.. Parry, mounted
upon a table, acted as chairman of the
meeting, with a cane a gavel.
Advocates of Free Speech.
I'VE are advocates of free speech" said
Parry, ''and we demand our right to be
heard l understand that we are to be de-
prived of our right to be heard in the con-
vention unless we sign a certain pledge
What is your pleasure?''
w. A. Meese of Michigan moved that the
delegates go to the convention in body,
and II refused admittance retire to Stude-
baker Hall, where second convention
could be held. This motion met with some
opposition, and was laid on the table. A
motion that the delegates go as individuals
was made and carried.
Badges were thereupon distributed, which
read as follows: Interstate Law Conven-
ton, Supervision, Not Commercial Revolu-
tion."
Wearing the badges conspicuously, all
the delegates at the Auditorium Annex
meeting, headed by d. NJ Parry and Rob-
ert Lake of Michigan, marched in body
to Steinway Hall. where the so-called
Bacon or regular delegates were as
sembled, with doors guarded by uniformed
police to prevent the admission of alleged
representatives of the railroads.
Parry Faction Barred.
Following the plan decided upon by an
executive committee to avoid a clash with
the dissenting or Parry faction, no dele
gates had been admitted to the convention
officers of the organization called "the creed
and articles of faith" which indorsed
president Roosevelts message asking en-
abling legislation by Congress enlarging
the powers of the interstate commerce
commission, SO that 1t may regulate freight
rates subject to judicial review
In addition to police half dozen '.resu-
lar delegates guarded every door leading
to the hall. and all who had not signed the
Endorsement of President Rooseyeit's mes
sage were denied admission
among the llrst delegates to subscribe to
the principles of the convention and gain
admlttance was L. w. Noyes representing
the Illinois Manufacturers Association,
Mayor Dunno was also an early arrival,
and he hastened to congratulate the Of
hcers on their decision to bar delegates
charged with being in sympathy with the
railroads.
Alleged RailAad Lobbyists.
Il will see that you have all the police
men needed to hold your convention without
interference from the railroad LOBBYISTS"
said Mayor Dunno. he was greeted by
s. H. Cowan of Texas, one of the leaders
in the convention. Among later arrivals
were Gov. Cummins of Iowa and former
Gov. Laramie of Wyoming. Judge s. n
Cowan received the following telegram from
Washington just before the convention was
called to order:
Judge S. II. Cowan, Steinway Hall Con-
vention.
Il hope the convention will resist to the
utmost the admittance of any delegate who
will not sign the proposed pledge. Let the
railroad hired men exhibit their free passes
and go home. If they outnumber yeu by
nolence' 60 elsewhere and hold Roosevelt
Former U. s. Senator from New Ha1np-
Shire
The First Disturbance.
The first disturbance was created bv r.
]. Kiesel Of Ogden, Utah. said to be a rep
resentative of the railroad" faction He
entered the ante-room of the hall and de-
manded that the statement which delegates
were asked to sign be read aloud The
clerk in charge of the registration declined.
and Delegate Kiesel shouted: "All in favor
of my suggestion say aye"
Three voices responded.
Then somebody asked for those opposed
and there was lusty shout of No from
a score or more of delegates.
Will never surrender my rights as an
American citizen by putting my name in
that book shouted Delegate Kiesel. II
will not sign away my birth rights"
Followed by several friends the delegate
then left the room.
In the absence of F. C. Bacon, chairman
of -he executive committee. who is i'll,
Judge S. H. Cowan of Texas called the con-
vention to order.
Il know thaethe delegates who are here
this morning will abide by the action of
the executive committee and indorse the
railroad rate regulation advocated by our
great President Theodore Roosevelt" said
Judge Cowan. I'VE might have had more
delegates had We the means to bring them
here. We paid our own expenses and we
have a thoroughly representative body
present.
Applauded Roosevelt's Name.
II hope that the convention will be peace
full and that It's deliberations will result in
much good
The mention Of President Roosevent's s
name was greeted with long continued APP
plause.
r. w. Higbee of New York was chosen
chairman of the convention.
Meanwhile the Parry procession of del.
egates had approached from the Audito-
rum annex couple of squares distant and
had reached 6teinway Hail.
The Buffalo delegation of the Parry ele-