The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-05-17
Manufacturers President also
Hits Railroad Rates.
SAYS THEY ARE TOO HIGH.
The socialistic Trend Discussed at Man
ufacturers' Convention Labor
Situation from Employ
ers' Side.

Atlanta, Ca, May 17--Dayid NJ.
| Parry, prseidnt Of the National Assoc
citation Of Manufacturers, in his address
before the tenth annual convention OF
that association yesterday, deprecated
the growth of socialism, which seeks the
government control of capital, and claim
ed that attempts in the line of munich
pal ownership had resulted in the most
part unafavorably. Mr.. Parry spoke
against the closed shop and declared that
it would not be upheld by the courts
unless there were radical change in
the Constitution of the United States.
Mr.. Parry further said in part:
organized labor was less strenuous
in the past year in its socialistie en-
deayors than in the sevel years preced-
ing. The efforts Of organized labor to
secure the passage OF laws abridging
individual freedom of action met with
complete failure at the national capital
during the recent session of Congress,
as did also a number of attempts to
secure laws of a socialistic character
from various legislatures. The policy
taken by the association in demanding
full recognition from organized labor
Of the individualstic principles of our
government is the only policy which
will establish and maintain industrial
peace
"The attempt il made to make it
appear that the railroad rates are so
high that the shippers and the general
public can no longer stand the extortion,
but must have relief from Congress.
Now, the simple, incontroyertible fact
is that the railroad rates in this eoiIn-
try are far cheaper than anywhere else
in the world. These rates in general
are one third lower than those of Great
Britain and France, and half lower
than those Of Germany, where the rail
roads are owned and operated by the
government. An examination Of rates
in the past also shows there has been
an almost continuous tendency down
ward. In 1870 the rates were three
times what they are now.
what the shippers want in this conn
try is impartial treatment rather than
arbitrary reduction Of rates. The prin-
ciple of impartial treatment of the pub
lie must be enforced. It might be wise,
when it is found that secret lower
rate or rebate has been granted to any
shipper, that such a rate be made the
open rate for, say, one year, as though
the rate were part of the published elias
siiication. Unjust determinations be-
tween localities and kinds Of traffic
ought to be susceptible to correction
through the application Of the police
powers Of the government, the same
as unjust determinations between indi-
viduals.
"1o my mind there are some features
in the present tariff situation that open
to serious question the wisdom Of the
stand pat policy. The foreign demand
for our agricultural products appears
to be declining, ana the expectation Of
manufactured commodities, is not nearly
so great as it should be. How in the
face Of unfavorable foreign tariffs we
can materially develop the market
abroad is difficult to see, unless through
the adoption of the more liberal tariff
policy on our own part we secure com
pensating concessions in the tariff SEIZED
ule Of those countries whose markets
we seek.
Reciprocity would be wiser course
than tariff revision. | do not think the
situation calls for radical treatment,
but rather for the adoption Of con-
seryative policy looking more to the
opening up than to the 'bottling up
Of our commerce"