The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-11-27
HARTMAN AND ROOT m TUT.
Railroad President Criticises the Gov
eminent Regulation Of Railroads
and Is Sharply Replied to by Secre-
a Of State Root.

Kansas City, No., November 90
THE most interesting feature of The
club banquet last night
had not been announced before hand, it
being Edward II. Harriman's criticism
lof government regulation OF railroads,
land Secretary OF State Roots vigorous
reply. Mr.. Hartman in his address
Isaid:
I'm his speech in Harrisburg recently
president Roosevelt salu the executive
land legislative department of the gov
lernment should be given additional
power TO deal with public organiza-
ltions.
IF we are going to continue to pros
per, the power which President Roose-
welt desires added to the government,
| hope. will be added to the other or
Plantations. | hope that some of il will
come our way. 1t is impossible for a
railway company or large organization
~ - vi L Dd5AANo P4OpEiGN IL lAC
lpeople are constantly ~criticsing and
Isuspecting."
Here Alr. Hartman paused, and turn
Jed to Secretary Root, who sat TWO seats
rearward.
1T is often important to a city or
I%country whether We co certain things,
whether we develop a territory" Mr..
Hartman continued, '-or leave it dor
INFANT. Often we cannot give develop
nent a start because u the action OF
l~certain people for political prestige. l
believe there is to be d. change of atti-
tude which soon is to be fell. The PEG
pie are coming to believe in American
ism-and that means fair play"
Secretary Root accepted Mr.. Harri-
mans challenge promptly, and pre-
faced his prepared speech by saying:
Mr.. Hartman, l believe, in his
speech tonight would AVE Us give
more power to the railroads.
"The experience l gained from a
knowledge of railroad business in the
Estate of Missouri, at a time when the
railroads were competing for business,
lied me to believe hat the best means
IOf regulating tiIshc ar1 ra:IWaT :ffallS
lis through the railways themselves. l
I~De'Ia,n that 1t is lust 10 ny nat Il wise
law would be n that would force the
railroads to combine in keeping the law
Ia az that would prevent the rail
roads from breaking the law.
Il repeat that the best regulation can
|be brought about by the railroad
themselves, if they will only do it.
Their power, Mr.. Hartman, should be
supplemented by governmental control,
Isuch hat would prevent them from do
ling wrong.
at is doubtless the case that a rail
IWay, by special compensation, or
Especial rates. can hope to build up a
bigger and better business. Neverthe-
less, science Of government always
|gives a chance. The privilege Of the
railroads in discriminating in the mat
tier Of special rates and c~OmpenSatlOus
lis too often abused, as we have seen.
ct is that tendency SO often display
led a tendency to crush the weak. For
this reason, I say Iliat t IS necessary,
lit is essential to freedom and indepen-
Idence, that the railroads should be held
junder control to prevent discrimina-
ltion. The slight advantage that the
railroads would gain by more power
1.-THE power that Mr.. Hartman asks fol
l-would be 20 greatly offset by the evil
THAT such a proposition would not he
icOnSi6orad q mOmont