Evening journal., 1906-09-27

citizen Of Pennsylvania and an Amer
ican
We all realize that practices which
used to be tolerated, If not approved,
outside OF the railroad world as. well
as inside. are no longer defended or
carried on even by those who thought
them once justified as a questionable
means to a laudable end.
You know, OF course that I do not
IN any way presume to advise you. A
man 80 observing and far-sighted must
be fully conscious Of the changed
spirit Of the times The frank avowal
Of past mistakes and the display of
wise and fair railroad administration,
with impartial regard for the rights of
both the stockholders and the public, is
the chief reliance Of the country to
check the attempt TO swing the people
to the dangerous experiment of the
ownership and operation by everybody
Of all railroads.
To some extent the railroads are re-
sponsble for the agitation. No doubt
dictation by large shippers and excess
sive competition explains, II It does not
justify, many indlscretions. But now
that IL is started, the agitation will
likely go on until public ownership is
accomplished or railroad management
and administration is of a character to
meet the approval Of a fair majority
Of the people.
Again thanking you for your prom
ised cooperation In the efforts to en-
hance the commercial and industrial
welfare OF the people and the greater
security Of the country by obtaining at
the earliest practicable time a more
adequate waterway connecting Della
ware river and Chesapeake Bay, I re-
main. Very respectfully yours.
Alfred o. Crozier,
Wilmington, Del.
The facts as to the destruction of the
various canals by the different rail-
roads, set forth In my former state
ment, is history. II may be that to be
entirely just and fair It would be ne
cessary to point out that some Of such
transactions occurred years ago and
before many OF those now responsible
for the policies Of the railroads were
I'm charge OF affairs.
II the most progressive and able rail-
road managers are taking this broader
view that it is good business to respect
the rights and opinions OF the public
and regard OF the people, It will i'm
prove the security Of railroad invest
ments and greatly promote the public
welfare.
You will. I am sure. be gratifed to
learn that the influence and active sup
port Of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co
Is TO be given I'm support of the import
ant project which you now officially
represent. I heartily join you in this
sentiment and remain at your disposal
for any humble service I can render to-
ward the early success Of the enter
prise.
Very respectfully yours.
Alfred o. Crozier.
Baltimore interests Selfish.
Looking out upon the audience the
chairman of the commission said with
a SMILE Il understand that in Delaware
there is no need for lawyers. that there
| is no chasm between the judge and the
people to be bridged by the legal pro-
fession, but see on the list of gentle
men 10 be escalled upon the name of one
OF your prominent young lawyers Mr.
Horace Greely Knowles, who will now
address us"
Mr.. Knowles stepped to the front and
in a happy vein said in part;
Il feel that the remarks already made
have answered most completely the mat
ters or questions the commissioners have
come here to consider. Captain Reybold' i
very eloquent and accomplished discus
sion OF the Importance CT the canal in the
late war leaves no doubt that this same
canal with its improved facilities, will
add to the countrys power and greatness
and usefulness in time to come.
There are. however. but two questions
this commission is considering. First
Shall the Government undertake the con-
struction of any canal between these two
watersg and secondly, the route such Il
canal must take.
''rhe people of this country are depend
ent upon natural means Of transportation
and to-day that Importance is causing
a great revival of water transportation.
The importance of the waterways was
spoken OF by Mr. Crozier than whom no
other is better qualified 10 speak and he
informed us that the artificial transpor-
tation companies are in direct opposition
to the natural means. Railways are only
intended 20 do what nature can do, by
artificial means. They would oppose a
rival road and It is not TO be expected
that they would rot oppose a water way
which would reduce their rates. The IN
ter-State Commerce Law recognizes that
I'VE know by the recent investigation
into the affirs of the great transportaucr
companies that they are becoming more
grasping and oppressive. and We know
also that the only way this can be brok n
is by competition from waterways.
Il took a trip recently along the Dslt-
ware and Iackawanna and saw from
Trenton TO Easton a canal stranglcd by
the railroad-a plain example OF the enccl
of the greed OF the railroad.
but there is another side Of this ques-
tion which has not as yet been mention %
and that is that it is only an unreason-
able and unnatural opinion which would
dictate policy Of prejudice against the
present route"
Mr. Knowles declared he was aware
that some Of the mercantile and CONNER.
ciai interests Of Baltimore were opposcc
TO the building Of any canal and Others
OF any canal but for the city Of Balti.
mores commerce alone. Such interest,
claim a complete monopoly of the Chesa.
peake Bay trade and they fear that som.
Of the Philadelphia or wilmington oi
New York merchants might come in;
competition and get some Of IT, Such ID -
Is fha narrou-oct iyf,d - .,ff,.- ..4 -.