The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-27
sionate discussion of the matter under

| VI ~--~ --e-~~~- N~---~r consideration.
 T. B. AIdrich. of Colorado was elect ed secretary and after the appointment of the credential committee and dis cussion as to the best way to collect the credentials of the delegates, the stuebaker hall meeting adjourned until 2 o'clock.
 Dunne welcomes Delegates.
 At Steinway hall meantime Mayor Dunne who was recently elected to of- flee as Democrat. warmly welcomed the delegates who signed the Roose- welt pledge. The Mayor said:
 There is no more important question before the country today than railroad rates, There are three different classes who view this railroad question from different points of view. One like grocery and charge one customer a dollar pound and another cents q pound. Another class approves Prest- dent Roosevelt's plan for the govern mental regulation of railroad rates. Third class which Is numerically in- creasing each year believes that the proper solution Is for the government to own and operate the railroads. If they do not the railroads will control the government. But I will not im- press upon you my personal views on this question. Chicago is proud to have you as her guests"
 John w. Kern representing the In- dianapolis Commercial Association. was the next speaker. He explained that D. Nj. Parry is a member of the Indiana organization and that after a sharp con- test Mir. Parry's efforts to instruct the delegates against the Roosevelt rate regulation plan were defeated by vote of 10 to i.
 After the secretary had read the call for the convention the chairman ap- pointed committees on credentials and permanent organization.
 About five hundred delegates signed the pledges, which made them eligible to enter the Steinway Hall convention.
 The pledge signed by the delegates was as follows:
 The Pledge Signed.
 we. tho undersigned delegates. for ourselves and for the association or organization which we represent. en- dorse the principle of the foregoing Convention and endorse and agree to support the Legislation as outlined In the Presidents last annual message to Congress, to so amend the Interstate Commerce Law that the Interstate Commerce Commission shall be given the power where given rate has been challenged and after full hearing found to have been unlawful. to pre- scribe what shall be the lawful and proper rate to take its place; the rul- ing of the commission to take effect immediately"
 The so-called "antr' convention re- convened at o'clock in the after noon In Stakeholder Hall and the regulars" convention met an hour later in Steinway Hall. While the sion. the Stefnway Hall organized by the election of the following officers:
 Chairman. W. F. Hughes. Colorado.
 Vice President. John W. Kern, In- diana.
 The report of the committee on cre- dentiais was read and approved and all delegates in the hall were seated.
 The following committee on resoiu- tions was appointed:
 J. H. Call. California; q. w. Mueller. illinois: E.. P. waidon, Michigan; S IT. cowan. Texas; H. A. Holmes, Kan sas; R. E. IIiEhee. New York, J w. Kerwiir New York. OK Governor Lara bee of Iowa and E. H. Iraris. Illinois At this point 1t was noted that there had been no invocation. The conven- ton felt the necessity of one but no minister was present whereupon Cap tain Joseph Farley, of Dallas, mounted the platform and delivered a prayer asking divine aid in fighting the rate evil.
 communication was then received from the other railroad advocates at Studebaker Hall. saying if was the convention" asking the regulars" to join with them. This caused consid- erable discussion and the enemy was hotIy denounced by J. w. Call, of Cal- ifornia; J. M. Mason. of West Virginia, and others.
 committee was appointed to reply to the communication after which resolution introduced by J. W. Kern, z ANw 4nA xawaAA AAR Nf4 pension of the rules. It Is as fol- lows:
 studebaIxer Convention Condemned.
 Resolved, That the so-called con- vention assembled in Studebaker Hall for the purpose of aiding the railroad companies to defeat the efforts of Pres ident Roosevelt in behalf of the people was assembled without authority of this Association. but fairly represents the corporate forces under the direction of which it Is in session.
 Resolved, second, That it's statement to the effect that the duty of this con- vention In attendance on the Stude- baker Hall convention Is absurd and false. The delegates to this convention are here In session. enthusiastic in their support of President Roosevelt's de- clared policy and do not propose to make any alliance or compromise with the enemies of the people"
 The convention then adjourned until morning when resolutions in support of the Presidents rate policy will be adopted.
 The first business at the Studebaker Hall convention in the afternoon was the reading of the report of the Com mittee on Credentials.
 The roll call of the delegates whose credentials were accepted by the com mittee showed that 435 delegates were in attendance at the convention in the afternoon. Several times during the roll call applause was caused by the reading of names of delegates who, 1t was said. had left the regular" conven- tIon for the "antf' meeting.
 Amid the cheers and applause of the convention a resolution chasing the action of the regulars" in refusing ad- mission to the "anti' delegates to the Studebaker Hall as un-American and a policy Of gag rule of free speech was passed by the delegates.
 As a bit of humor the resolution asked the appointment of a committee to extend an invitation to the f'regu- Iars'' to attend the convention at Stu- debaker Hall.
 After a recess. steps were taken to make the organization permanent. The following were elected:
 Chairman. N. W. McCloud, Pennsyl. vania: Vice Presidents, G. x. Wendell ing, California; F. J. Bradley. Massa- chusetts; Secretary, T. B. Aldrich.
 Delegate Thurber of New York of. fered resolution that the Interstate Commerce act be amended so as to class private car lines and terminal railroads engaged in the interstate com