Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-11-21

attendance exceeded that of previous years.
The congress was called to order by ]. b.
Case OF Abilene, Kan. a member Of the
executive committee. Following him welA
coming addresses were made by Colonel
Fred Fleming of Kansas City, chairman Of
the executive committee; by Senators Stone
and Warner and Governor Folk of Mis-
souri,, Governors Hoch of Kansas, Mickey
Of Nebraska and Frantz Of Oklahoma.
President Francis, in his annual address,
said that the Transmlssisslppi Commercial
congress through its past efforts, had had
much to do with the passage of many i'm
portant statutes by the last session of the
national congress. He urged the delegates
20 still greater efforts and outlined a long
list OF questions particularly those affect
ing the Mississippi valley and the west.
that needed their attention. He character
| lied the present convention as the most ir.i-
portant in the history of the congress,
mentioning particularly the internationa al
scope that Il had assumed this year.
Many western delegates failed to get IN
today, being stormbound in Kansas and
| Nebraska. Among these were a majority
| of the delegates from Colorado, including
Victor c. Anderson, who was to have al
dressed the convention this afternoon,
| hhFFAuhh'h speech OnuAleuAeu.
| An interesting incident of the afternoon
session, which did not begin until after
o'clock, was the demand OF Colorado
elegate that he be allowed to answer
he speech Of Z. II. Hartman, which was
! delivered soon after the session convened.
Mr. Harriman's speech was an elaboration
of his remarks at the Commercial CLUB
banquet last night. He criticised th1
present laws regulating railroads, assert
ing that such lower as is now given the
| Interstate Commerce commission is dan
! gerous, not only to the welfare Of tho
railroads themselves, but to the indus
| trial interests of the country with which
| the railroads have mutual interests At
the conclusion of his speech George ].
| Kindel of Denver arose and asked per-
mission to answer Mr.. Harriman's speech
| Chairman Francis refused TO give Mr.
| Kindel the privilege of the floor, on the
| ground that a proper Interpretation OF
| the rules of the congress and due re-
| gard TO courtesy did not allow delegate
to answer the speech of an invited guest
| Mr.. Hartman. however, insisted that Mr.
| Kindel be allowed to speak, and the chair
man called him TO the platform. Mr.
! Kinders speech was not direct answei
to the arguments Of Mr.. Hartman, but
an arraignment of the railroads for al
legged unfair rate discrimination. Mr.
| Hartman, who had intended To leave fol
Topeka, Immediately after delivering his
own speech, waited patiently until Mr.
| Kindel had concluded, when the two mel
shook hands and Mr.. Hartman left IN,
! hall TO go to his train.
what MIR. Hartman said.
Mr. Harriman's speech was in part a
follows
The impression prevails that contro
more miles OF railroad than any other on
man. That statement Is made frequently
/ deny f.; it is not true. DO not contro
one mile of railroad. ] do not belev
Ia any one man or any one company con
trolling vast interests OF this kind. Their
are 1900 or 1900 persons who co-operat
in the control of the railroads, and othe
| corporations In which ! am interested. on
| man could not do the work and do /
right. We have our stockholders and on
boards Of directors, and they all share II
| The responsibility Of conducting our az
] fairs. I appear as director I'm the pub
Iished statements but am not. Ever,
important step In our business Is con