New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-04
MR.. TAFrs HUMOROUS SPEECH.

Secretary Taft spoke in a humorous vein He had
had personal experience of the skill genius of
the railway supply people, he declared He re-
ferred to the with which Secretary Morton a
railroad man. row struttng the quarter deck"
could speak. "Al he has TO do now is to think what
he has done in the past" was his good natured
fling at the Secretary OF the Navy.
There a number of railway appliances do
not in this exhibit, said Mr. Taft They are
the courts the injunctions and the receivers But
I have no doubt as 1 look down on this well fed
audience there gentlemen here who would be
willing to accept positions as receivers"
The federal well as the State courts he said
had received a great deal of criticism for their
interference in railroad affairs. This Interference
he explained had been necessary, as at some time
nearly every road had been the subject of court
proceedings all of which had been necessary 10
preserve traffic which otherwise would have been
interrupted by the suspension of a bankrupt road
II had taken many years 10 build a code of law
which applicable and which worked the
least harm TO the public and the least loss TO the
mortgage and other creditors of roads.
Speaking for the foreign delegates, particularly
those from Great Britain, Mr. Lawrence expressed
for the enterprise of the American manufacturers
which had prompted 1t.
Mr.. Fish closed the speechmakng with refer
cnces TO the early development of railroad mocha
nsm of various kinds. and illustrated by figures
from the Patent Office the constant Improvement in
devices.
reception TO the delegates was given by Mr.
and Mrs Fish this afternoon.
WHAT THE PRESIDENT WANTS.
Tonight the American Railway Guild gave a din
ner in honor Of the delegates, which Secretary
Morton was OF the speakers. After describing
President Roosevelt as of the most remark
able men of all the remarkable men who have 90
cupied the White House." Mr.. Morton said:
II will not be amiss on this occasion before this
assembage for me to say something Of the atti-
tude the President on the railroad question. He
wants nothing but what is right, and he is as anX-
ious that nc injustice shall be done the railroads
as he is that justice shall be done the public
Unfortunately there have been abuses In the trans
pOrtation business. Fortunately, they are growing
less every year 1t is very gratifying to those who
fewer rebates and more equality IN freight rates
than ever before in the history Of the country.
main here and there preferential rates which favor
certain large shippers. and which bear down I'M
that the President is doing his best to remove.
The private sidetrack arrangements by which UNI
bip Industries OF the country. The earning IF more
than fair return on private car Investments the
payment Of commissions Of various sorts or rebates
firelY discnntinnrd an, sure there is not a rail-
road man here who does not heartily approve Of
this declaration. My own opinion IL that If all
ton of rates viii adjust itself I consider it great
piece of good fortune for every man, woman and
child in this country that In the settlement of this
mater the rights OF property as We'll as the rights
OF the people are not to be 3HeioGRa px e resi-
which is fair and that which Will endure
Mr. Mortons toast was THE President of the
United States" Theodore n. Ely, OF tho Pennsyl-
vana Railroad. was toastmaster The response to
his welcome made by Ernest Gmard' OF Brus-
sells acting president OF the permanent commission
Of the congress George r. Baer, president OF the
Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, spoke Of Amer
lean interest in foreign Ideas on alton The
relation forestry TO railroads was set forth by
TmoJ1 P4Gho Of the tnited CHA spd q t6 0a
work and pleasures Of the congress-