The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-27
Chicago's Double Header.

The rump convention Of shippers at
Chicago is of doubtful value tot the rail
road cause. It is no news to the gen
eral public that the largest shippers Of
the country do not want government
regulation of rates. They are very well
satisfied with the present system with
it's opportunities for preferential agree
ments of various kinds. It is in order
to give the little fellows an equal
chance that closer government super
vision is demanded. The convention
of shippers now in session at stude-
baker hall serves only to focus atten-,
ton on them and rouse the natural pre-
sumption that the 'santis are enjoying
special privileges which the Esch-Town-
send bill is aimed to abolish. -
The railroads, of course, do not care
so much for public sentiment as for the
decision of congress. The aim Of the
Parry convention is to neutralize the
effect Of the Steinway hall gathering,
which was called for the purpose Of Civ
ing President Roosevelt a business
men s Endorsement, and impressing on
congress the need for. prompt action on
the president program. No doubt,
the Parry convention will have an i'm
pressive and convincing effect on sena
tors and congressman, who are accus
toned to taking their cues from spe
cial interests. To this extent the bolt
at Chicago is of value to the railroad
cause. It must not be- supposed, how
ever, that congress can long hold out
against an aroused public sentiment
and there is nothing that will arouse
the latent spirit Of the American people
more quickly than. a bold attempt o.
. moneyed interests to dictate legislation
The Steinway hall convention does no
bristle with such impressive names il
the world Of finance and commerce a,
the other gathering, but it represent
the demand Of the American people TO
a "square deal,' and that deman'
must sooner or later be respected.
Much is being made Of the "ga
rule' which excluded the Parry dele
gates from the convention. TIL
Journ a | is unable to discover tina
any one has been gagged. The cor
vention was called for specific pun
pose. It's object was to urge cor
gress to give larger powers to the inter
state commerce commission. Person
not in sympathy with that object &er
not wanted in the meeting, and had n
more right to demand admittance ther
than democratic marching club has t
force its way into a republican conver
ton. The Parry delegates were nc
gagged. They exercised the grea
American privilege Of hiring hall an
speaking their minds, and the two cor
ventions are receiving equal news after
ton from the press. The Parry cor
vention has informed President Roost
welt in courteous resolution that the
are sure he means well, but that til
. "radical changes he proposes al
likely to "tjar and disturb the couI
!, try s matchless prosperity. The Baco
convention has adopted ringing resol,
! tions in favor of the presidents pr,
! gram for government control. All {
the gentlemen who went to Chicago
talk have had their say, and the publ
is highly edited. It is now up to col
gress.
If congress is mindful only Of til
wishes Of the country's largest man,
facturers and shippers, it will rejet
the president IS program. If it want
, to safeguard the interests Of small dea
ers and consumers, as well, it will giy
the interstate commerce commissio
power to name and enforce a reasonab
rate.