The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-04
FAIRBANKS OPENS 1T.
Vice President Welcomes the Interna-
tionaI Railway Congress.

washington, May 4.-The Interna-
tional Railway congress was formally
opened today by Vice President Fair
banks. The congress is TIE seventh
in the history of the organization and
the first to be held in the United
States. Every railroad of Importance
in the world is represented. At the
time of the opening $50 delegates had
presented their credentials. Double
his number is expected, 500 of whom
are from foreign countries. Inc con-
gress is held every five years and IS
devoted to discussions of subjects TO
promote the progress and develop
ncnt of railways.
Vice President Fairbanks, in calling
the congress to order welcomed the
delegates TO the United states. he
..'rhe very pleasant duty rests upon
ne to welcome YOU to the seventh ses-
sion of the Inter national Railway Con-
cless. To each and all Of you L extend
a cordial greeting. You who are &C
credited with foreign countries, need no
assurance from me that the American
people welcome you with that genuine
and generous hospitality with which
you are ever pleased 70 receive Anerl-
ems.
The railway is essentially an instru-
me.t OF our modern civilization. 1t was
created to meet an imperative demand
and its growth has been one of the most
marvellous developments of recent
times From d local creation, to meet
local necessities, it has expanded until
st binds together remote industrial cen
ters 1t crosses and TRcrCsses continents
and brings nearer to each ether the cap
itals of the world. It tends to knit peo-
pies together by the ties of mutual re-
spect. 1t has pushed forward the from
tiers of civilization and brought the
waste places under cultivation It has
had a profound influence upon the COM
merCe and customs OF the people or the
entire world It has become the artery
through which flows the worlds com
merce, giving life and vitality to count
less communities and manifold indus
tries. Tt is inextricably woven into the
social and commercial life of millions Of
the human race.
Science and art. labor and capital,
have wrought a revolution. The work
of construction and reconstruction is
unending. The roadway, terminals and
rolling stock, suited to the needs of yes
terday, are Inadequate for the necessi-
ties of today. and still much larger pro-
vision must be made for the require
ments of tomorrow.
THE universal, urgent and unremit-
ting demand is for increased carrying
capacity, at cost of maintenance and
operation. Hand in hand with this goes
the demand for low rates.
Duties to Public.
In the rapid eVOluLlOn OF TINS great
instrument of civilization. it is not I'M
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 haxe existed. 1t is
too much to expect, where such an
agency touches the social and indus
trial interests of so many people, at so
many points, that all of the inequali-
ties should have been removed. We may
Aope that a spirit of justice and ampler
knowledge may lead to the removal of
the present defects and the prevention
Of evils in the future.
The railway. by its very nature is
charged with great public duties. It is
in the highest sense a public servant
and must discharge its functions with
impartiality, giving to all whom it
serves just treatment. Equality of ser
vice is the predicate of good relations
between the railway and the public 1t
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 surely lays the
foundation of distrust and discomfort
as secrecy, where there should be pub
licity, as inequality where there should
be equality. Transportation charges
must be fixed with just regard to the
owners, the employees and the public.
The interests of none can be disregard
ed without ultimate injury to all"