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


Chicago is of doubtful value to?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 we'll
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 Eantis' = are enjoying
special privileges which the Esch- Town
send bill is aimed to abolish. IT,.
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 g business
men s Endorsement, and impressing on
congress the need fol-. prompt action on
the president IS 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. 1t 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 OF
. moneyed interests to dictate legislation
The Steinway hall convention does not
bristle with such impressive names in
the world Of finance and commerce az
the other gathering, but it represent.
the demand Of the American people fol
a "square deal,' and that demand
must sooner or later be respected.
Much is being made Of the "gae
rule' which excluded the Parry dele
!. gates from the convention. The
Journal is unable to discover thai
any one has been gagged. The con
vention was called for specific pur
pose. Its object was to urge con
! gress to give larger powers to the inter
state commerce commission. Person.
not in sympathy with that object Mert
not wanted in the meeting, and had ne
more right to demand admittance there
than democratic marching club has tt
force it's way into a republican conven
ton. The Parry delegates were no
gagged. They exercised the grea
American privilege Of hiring a hall ant
speaking their minds, and the two con
ventions are receiving equal news atten
ton from the press. The Parry con
vention has informed President Roose
welt in courteous resolution that the,
are sure he means well, but that tn,
"radical changes he proposes ar,
likely to 'tjar and disturb the coun
try 8 matchless prosperity. The Baco1
convention has adopted ringing resolu
tions in favor of the presidents pro
s gram for government control. All O
the gentlemen who went to Chicago t
talk have had their say, and the publ
| is highly edited. It is now up to con
gress.
4 If congress is mindful only of tn
wishes Of the country's largest manu-
/ facturers and shippers, it will rejec
the presidents program. If it want
1 to safeguard the interests Of small deal
| ers and consumers, as well, it will Civ
the interstate commerce commission
power to name and enforce REASONABLE
rate.