The Washington times., 1905-10-26
RAILROAD LOBBY
BEGINS To FIGHT
RATE LEGISLATION
Threaten to Storm Inter-
state Commerce Law
Convention.
HAVE MILLIONS TO SPEND
Scenes in Chicago
Where the Big Battle
Is On.
HAVE MILLIONS TOSPEND

Is On.
CHICAGO. Oct 6-Stirrfng action
was promised for the sessions OF the
interstate commerce law convention,
which opened this morning In steinway
Hall. attended by several hundred
members. who propose to strengthen
the position of President Roosevelt in
the regulation of railway rates
Before the delegates had breakfasted
there was an active campaign inaug-
urated to keep out what was termed the
railroad lobby" whose representatives.
1t was charged, are making desperate
efforts to nullify and break the force of
whatever resolutions may be adopted
1t was declared that the plan of these
railroad representatives was tc confuse
the issue in the convention-the Indorse-
ment OF Roosevelt's railroad rate policy
ard the raising of fund for the sup
port Of an aggressive lobby In Washing
ton this winter.
d. M. Parry, of indianapolis. led the
railroad phalanx. although this was de-
MED by the pro-railroad men, who held
a secret caucus. and decided to march
SO the hall in a body. and, being re-
fused seats, 10 hold .-rump" conven-
tion in husic hall of the Fine Arts Build
ing.
Convention IN Session.
The convention was called to order
by S H. Cowan. OF Fort Worth, Texas.
acting chairman OF the executive COM
mittee. IN place of E. p Bacon. OF NIL
waukee. chairman, who is unable 10
attend on account of illness. Cowaa was
formerly special counsel for the Santa
Fe Railway in the southwest. and later
was attorney for the live stock ship
pers in the Interstate Commerce Com
missions suit against seventeen West
ern railroads to compel a redrcfIsn In
their rates.
The personnel of the convention xjll
represent 800 organizations from evc-y
State ard Territory in the Union. with
representation on the basis OF one dele
gate for every hundred members.
Acting Chairman Cowan is nothing II
not vigorous in his views on the nerve"
OF the alleged railway lobby to disturb
ire harmony Of the convention. He said:
Would Spend Millions.
The railroads are willing tn snan1
So,0oo.ooo TO defeat this proposed IepIs-
lation- They have spent 81. 900 900 TO de-
feat the purpose of this convention
What Will happen with the bill IN Con-
gress II they can stop the action Of this
convention? Most OF these men sent
mere that threaten 70 gather IN a .rl1rnp'
convention and are clamoring for free
speech. might as well enter this con-
ytntlon nail, as | might go 10 a prohi-
biflon convention.
The railroads have hired detectiva
agenc.es. / am informed, and have raked
The, N est with fne-tooth comb. TRYING
10 10 get men 10 come here to represent
hundreds from every road in the United
States. They are here under the guise
oi a meeting Of their own interests.
Some ntt.e board OF trade associa-
ton IN town that ships one carload
OF rags Year has. perhaps. ffteen
delegates here asking for voice in
this convention.
Demand Fair Play.
"On the other hand some big associa-
ton. such as l represent in Texas. are
not able TO send more than one man
FOR each delegate means several hum
dred dollars
The people are with the President
In this matter. L predict that the peo-
pie OF this country, who like fair play.
VIII see this opportunity and take il
as a warning to arouse Themselves to
rally to the support OF the President
with strength that otherwise would
not nave been exhibited
Held Rump Convention.
When the convention opened it began
with a tumult of disorder. The repre-
sentatives of the railroads We're barred
despite their loud protests.
After they had been turned away
those delegates who advocate Govern
ment regulation of railroad rates pro-
ceeded with their deliberations.
The railroad faction which opposes
regulation of the rates adjourned to
the Fine Arts Building. where they
held a "rump" convention.
During the attempt by the railroad
men TO gain admission to the regt< lr
convention many plain clothes detec-
tives from headquarters mingled with
the crowd 10 preserve order. There
was much loud talking, and many Of
the railroad representatives wearing
badges which read Supervision But
Not Commercial Revolution" pressed
together at the doors of the hall and
clamored for admission. They were all
refused.
Stands by Roosevelt
Not for a long time in Chicago have
so many well-drossed men bearing so
many evidences OF prosperity been or
dered along by the police.
Within executive hall Mayor Dunno
made a speech that reused cheers. He
said:
You are the men that make business.
You paw the freight. and your interest
should be considered first. l favor
President Roosevelt's demand for rate
regulation. Either the country is to run
the railroads. or the railroads are TO
run the country.
This Utterance was greeted with
cheers.
You are here" Mayor Dunno said, ''to
consider one OF the most momeatous
questions before the country and
have implicit confidence in your ability
10 settle the question right"
While the regular delegates-thosec call
CONTINUED on Seventh Page.)