The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-02-02
J. NJ Blair Of Cincinnati Dis
cusSes Railroad Rebates
MAKES VIGOROUS SPEECH
Officers Elected for Ensuing Term.
Mr.. Blair Chosen President-Hand-
some U. S. Flag Presented
to the Association.

convention of the National Brick Manu-
facturers' association that opened yes
terday afternoon in the city hall was the
plea made by John Milton Blair of Gin
cinnati, the newly elected president of
the association, that all brick makers
throughout the union stand up and
strengthen Mr.. Roosevelt's hands in the
Presidents effort to abolish railway
freight rate discrimination in the United
States.
THE railways of the country" said
Mr. Blair. by written contracts or by
agreements among individuals, give more
or less excessive rebates and fix freight
tariffs. They make determinations against
associations, corporations or individuals
They build up or pun down manufacture
ing or commercial industries as they may
deem it to be their interest.
yet in the United States there is not a
court or a commission that can check
them or compel them to cease thesrebate
injustice or to change a rate, no mattel
how onerous or how unjust this rate
may be.
when an effort is made to regulate
this matter by Congress-by giving to the
interstate commerce commission power to
enforce suitable remedial measures-it IS
found that commercial conditions can
not be fixed by law, but that the rail-
ways may without law fix any rates that
may suit them.
Everyone who patronizes the railways
is placed at the mercy of The roads, and
is without redress.
Congress Lacks Power.
Congress lacks power in the matter,
but the railways have all the authority
to charge unjust rates.
"Unless laws can be enacted to eradicate
this evil-unless Congress be invested
with power to correct this injustice-the
railroads are, and will continue to be-
certainly beyond the control of the United
States government.
I'm view of these facts, I invite you,
the members of the National Brick
makers association, to stand up at this
time and do all that is in your power to
strengthen the hands of the President in
his effort to correct this injustice-to
right Ills wrong-that is being praoticed
upOil Tic DtopAC ny AAlio y SANll VI AAAAha5
rate discrimination"
Mr.. Blairs words enlisted the hearty
endorsement of the convention.
At 2:So o'clock the convention was called
to order by ]. M. Blair, as first vice pres
ident. The hall on the third floor of the
city hall building was at that hour
thronged with members of the assocnia-
ton, their wives and their friends. On
the platform were Mr. Blair, w. Melville
Drennen. the Mayor of Birmingham; W.
p. Blair of Terre Haute Ind, second
vice president; DIR. C. b. RiddicS, the
pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal
church, south, of Birmingham; T. A. Ran
dali of indianapolis, secretary, and Miss
A. NJ. Wallace, the assistant secretary
of Indianapolis Over the presidents desk
fiuttered beautiful silk flag that was
later in the afternoon presented to the
convention.
The exercises opened with a few brief
Introductory remarks by the acting pres
ident, who requested DIR. C. B. Riddick
to offer prayer.
80, Cod said DR.. RiddiclS, as the audi
ence arose and stood with barred heads,
1--WE pause just a moment, not in the per-
functory way of a mere custom, but sin
cerely to acknowledge Thee as the Giver
of all our mercies and the Gracious Friend
present everywhere. We thank Thee for
life and all its blessings for the COM
munity of interests and employments, all
looking forward as they 40 to a higher
humanity. We thank Thee for the Broth
erhood of Mantle union and fellowship
of man and for the kindly feelings every
where displayed We thank Thee for our
great country and the strong ties that
bind the various sections together. We
thank Thee for this representative indus
trial body of men. We beseech Thee to
let Thy divine favor rest upon them, that
nothing harmfgul may befall them while
they are here and that they be restored
in health and strength to their families
and homes. We ask it all in Thy name.
Amen"
At the close Of the invocation Mr. Blair
made a happy speech, the feature of
which were the remarks quoted in the
foregoing paragraphs. Mr. Blair closed
| by introducing to the convention w. Mel
vile Drennen, the Mayor Of Birmingham,
| who welcomed the association to this
| city.
Mayors Address.
| 'Mr. President and Members Of the Ma
| tional Brickmakers' Association of the