Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-09

In Executive Session.
The members of the association were slow
in gathering in the banquet hall OF the no
tel this morning and 1t was little after
IL o'clock before President Julius C. Birge
called the convention to order. The session
was executive.
The first matter discussed was the mail
order or catalogue house question, and
the findings of a special committee OF nine
teen which met at Hot Springs. Va, June
last were indorsed The report or the
committee states that II is the desire OF the
manufacturers of the country to cooperate
as far as possible with the Jobbers. out that
many manufacturers have been led 10 sell
through mail order channels. direct to the
consumer. because OF the fact that JoooerS
have sought to obscure the Identity Oh the
manufacturer. 1t Is asked OF the JoroerS
that they sell the manufacturers regular
brands and not their own private brands
If this is done, says the report the iheF
chants will receive the cordial support OF
the manufacturers.
Mr. Pike then took the floor and made
short address on the railway rate question
preparatory to introducing his resolution
When 1 came to Washington" he said.
81 had no intention of saying anything on
this Interstate commerce question. Lastsum
mer l resigned as chairman or the frelghe
commission on account or III health, as
did not feel l could give the matter time
ton required; and 1 congratulate the asso-
citation on having found able and ex-
perienced a man to take the work.
Believes President Should Be Endorsed.
ION this railroad rate question I believe
we should take an honest, fearless stand. I
believe we should lndorse President Roose-
welt We have a President the world in
dorses. a man whom the world trusts and
believes in more than any other man; a
man who has done more in this generation
for the people of the earth than any other
man has done. He IS fearless, honest. and
he is not afraid to stand for the people
against corporations or anything else. Do
you think he has brought up this railroad
rate question without giving 1t thought?
Don't you suppose he believes and realizes
1t to be one of the most important questions
that now confronts the nation? 1 do; and l
believe we should sustain and indorse him
in the stand he has taken l am sure the
majority of the people, from north TO south
and from east to west, indorse him.
Change in Opinion Possible.
I'VE know that Congress has indorsed
him, but we have supposed the majority Of
the Senate would oppose him; but I think
we will find there has been a change In the
opinion of many senators In this regard
On the Sd of this month. before the Pitts
burg chamber of commerce, Senator Knox
most
significant recent utterance on this ques-
ton. The remarks are especially signif1-
cant when II Is remembered that Mr..
Knoxs whole training was acquired dur
ing his well known and important relations
in the recent past to some of the largest
corporations of the country, and, also, be-
cause when he was Attorney General of the
United States he fearleSSiy and success
fully attacked the greatest railroad combi-
nation this country has ever seen. AS q
senator from one of the greatest states In
the Union. speaking as a statesman. with
a full knowledge Of the subject his opln-
ion is certainly entitled to the greatest
consideration. He indorses President
Roosevelt.
Senator Warmers Views.
81 notice in a newspaper that Senator
elect Warner from Missouri last night at
a banquet at the Midland Hotel. Kansas
City. made the following remarks. referring
10 President Roosevelt: His efforts to Sc
cure legislation clothing the interstate COM
merce commission with power to insure
square deal between common carriers and
shippers have my unqualified support
Now. gentlemen. I believe we can pass
g resolution at this time unanimously and
heartily endorsing President Roosevelt 3
proposed plan OF rate legislation to give
the people and the railroads both square
deal"
Mr. Pitre then read his resolution, which
Hardware Manufacturers Association, as
sembled In ninth annual convention. has
under consideration proposed action OF va
rious kinds intended TO preserve and pro-
mote the interests of it's members as manu-
facturers and shippers, and incidentally the
public at large. including the appropriate
amendment of the interstate commerce law,
that great statute which was designed to
redress all real grievances OF shippers and
consignees. and yet protect the railway car
riers in the exaction of reasonable and
Just revenue. and which has been shown by
the test of long experience to be defective
In important respects, particularly SO in
failing to afford prompt and efficient RENE
dies to shippers for existing transportation
evils.
.'The amendment OF this important remed-
ial law was given extended treatment in
the last executive message TO Congress by
the President of the United States. and
has since been publicly discussed by the
President in numerous addresses, wherein
that great leader OF the people and advo-
cate of the enforcement Of civil rights has
| announced the changes in the law, which.
after the most painstaking examination,
consideration of the opinions of the Attor-
ney General and other legal advisers. and
mature reflection. are deemed essential to
effectuate the purposes of the act and justly
promote the public interest
DISTINGUISHED Leadership.
ut seems prudent and wise course to
follow the disinterested and patriotic lead
ership Of our great President, rather than
be diverted by specious arguments from
individuals and more or less interested
sources. into advocating peculiar and un-
tried plans OF legislation
The resolution proper proposes. THAT this
association does hereby cordially indorse
the plans for railway rate regulation pro-
posed by President Roosevelt, and recon-
mends that such railway rate regulation be
| enacted by the Congress at its next SEES
SION"
n. A. Gladding spoke on the resolution
after II had been seconded. He said he
believed that the Presidents attitude on