The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-26
Railroad Representatives and
Coal Hen Are United.
ssRegulars'' Stand by the ROOse-
velt Plan of Legislation.
Parryites Refused Admittance
Organize in Another Hall.

Chicago, Oct. AUTHORIZATIONS were
made early today by the advocates Of
Gree speech to demand entrance to the
interstate commerce law convention,
which was scheduled to be called ia
Steinway hall at 10 o'clock. Facing the
possibility Of being denied admittance,
arrangements We're made to hold
''rump' convention If necessary to pros
test against what the free speech"
partisans terms gag rule. Matters
were apparently in chaos among the
regulars early in the day. The opposi-
tion had developed such strength that
the convention was late in assembling.
1T twas said before the convention was
called to order that the opposition
which is said by the convention man
ayers 20 represent the railroads would
be denied admission.
The so-called railroad faction of the
delegates to the convention met at the
green room OF the Auditorium annex to
prepare for a. conflict with the "regu-
lars- at Convention hall. Prior to the
meeting at the Auditorium annex coal
dealers who are identified with the
railroad" element met at the Great
Northern hotel and after satisfying
themselves that their credentials We're
good proceeded in a body to the annex
where D. NJ. Parry, president of the
National Manufacturers association
and other so-called railroad delegates
were assembled.
AS soon as the coal delegates arrived
the question Of the mode of procedure
10 be adopted was raised. Mr.. Parry
mounted upon a table, acted as chair
man Of the meeting with a cane as d
gaveL
eve are advocates Of free speech. -
said Parry and we demand our right
TO be heard I understood that we are
to be deprived of our right to be heard
Gle
tain pledge. What is your pleasure ?"
W. A. Meese, Of Michigan, moved that
the delegates so to the convention i'm a
body and if refused admittance retire
to StudebalIer hail where q second con-
Vention could be held. This motion met
with opposition and was tabled. A mo-
ton that the delegates go as individuals
was made and carried.
Badges reading Interstate law con-
vention. supervision, not commercial
revolution" were thereupon dis
tributed.
Headed by Parry.
Following the plan decided upon by
an executive committee to avoid a
clash with the dissenting or Parry fac
uon- no delegates had been admitted
to the convention except those who
subscribed to what the officers of the
organized called 1.-The creed and arti-
cles Of faith" which endorsed Presi-
dent Roosevelts message asking en-
abling legislation by congress enlarg-
ing the powers of the interstate COM
merce commission so that it may re-
gard the freight rates subject to jul
dicial review In addition to police
half dozen regular delegates
guarded every door leading to the
hall and all who had not signed the
endorsement of President Roosevelt
message were denied admission
Among the first delegates to subscribe
to the principles of the convention
and gain admittance was L. W. Noyes
representing the Illinois Manufacture
eTs' association. Mayor Dunno also
was an early arrival and he cOngratu-
lated the officers on their decision tC
bar delegates charged with being in
sympathy with the railroads.
''I will see that you have all the
policemen needed to hold your con-