The Washington times., 1905-05-10
Secretary of War Pre-
clpltates Unexpected
Debate.
SPEECH TO DELEGATES
President of Association Re
plies and Then Apollo
glzeS to Guests.

Secretary Tafts remarkable speech
last night before the principal railroad
men OF the country at the banque.
rendered by the American Railway AS
sociation to the international Congress
IN the ballroom of the New Willard has
created a profound impression
Coming as Il did the day folIowins
President Rooseveit's Denver speech, in
which similar sentiments were express
ed, 1t indicated quite clearly the deter
mined purpose Of the Administration,
Notwithstanding the apparent apathy OF
the Senate committee which is now con-
Quoting an investigation of the railroad
rate question, to press for legislation
that VIII give to Government tribunal
the power to fix maximum rates.
Views Not Applauded,
Notwithstanding the adverse views
held by practically all the men whom
he addressed, The Secretary spoke fear
iessiy and firmly, entirely obIivious to
he chilly reception accorded TO his
discussion Of the rate question. This
change was the more pronounced on
account of the generous applause with
which his previous remarks had been
greeted.
The character Of the speech was a
great surprise to the assembled dele
gates. Especially was it SO to Stuy-
vesant Fish. president of the American
Railway Association and toastmaster
OF the evening
Scarcely was the Secretary again in
his seat when Mr.. Fish took the floor
and launched into a vigorous reply Mr.
Taft then made rejoinder even more
positive IN tone than his original speech
and MT. Fish hen concluded
What was expected TO be a purely
social function had resolved itself into
q debating society The liveIiest inter
est was manifested by all present, the
foreigners especially.
Secretary Taft's Speech.
Il rise with a great deal of hesita.
tion.'' said Secretary Taft, ito speak
in this presence, for the reason that I
realize that ] am in the presence os
the great constructive geniuses of the
world. Accommodation by railway
has commanded for the last forty years
the constructive genius of the world.
and those who are here fifty represent
such gcnfnses. It has been my humble
part within the last year to engage
in the selection OF men to construct
possibly. the greatest work of the CEN
tury. the iSthmian Canal and when we
looked about for the men who could do
the thing we found ourselves largely
limited TO the railway men of America
Therefore. il is with q consciousness
that | stand before the men who do
things and who look to toc serious side
OF life, that 1 rise with reluctance tc
invite your attention to some OF the
pecuiiarities, to some Of the phases. of
the history of railways In this country
that. as a man up a tree, having more
or less relation to railways, it has been
my fortune 10 observe.
Change of Public Opinion.
I'm the first place. did it ever occur,
well. l am sure IL has occurred to Won
If il has not it will come to you-what q
peculiar attitude toward the railways
the people who are beneficially affected
by these railways bear and the changes
that come over that attitude as the rail
ways become a fixed institution in this
country.
when railway is projected, the gen
tiemen whose money Is to go into the
bonds or into the stock and the men
who are to construct the railway are
in that country with open arms.
Such banquets as the citizens can af-
ford are spread before them: they could
be elected to any office in the gift of
he people; meetings are held to praise
them as benefactors of mankind, and.
meetings are held Tor the
purpose of voting bonds in aid of the
Of the railway.
And then, after a little while, the
railway is built; trains begin TO run
and about that time the first interest
On the bonds falls due. Great constitu-
-ional lawyers are found to point out
that although that money went into
hat railway, the obligation of the
county supposed to have been created
was never really incurred The consti-
ution forbade IT.
And then the hondholders resort
first to the State courts. and If the feel
ing grows it may be that the State
court Views bond issued In aid of Il
railway as something not to be en-
,0ura ged. and declares ii invalid Then
the owners of the bonds move out of
The State. the bona fide holder for
value appears in the Federal court, and
.he case is carried 10 the Supreme
Court of the United States and another
aspect Is put upon obliga tionF which
nave been solemnly assumed, and the
money is collected, If il can be-
Course of Litigation.
Meantime this railroad goes on. car
-yinG benefits TO the county and the
through which 1t runs. courts
are held, suits are brought. juries are
mpaneled, and there IS not a horse or
i COW in that county, which is not
on Saoopd