The Washington times., 1907-08-18
Attitude of Public to Trusts
Shows That 1t Demands Action
By BLOCK SIGNAL
BY BLOCK SIGNAL.

CHICAGO. Aug. 17.-In emphatic and
concise Endorsement Of what is nov
called the new school," I am giving
you the views OF the president OF an
Eastern line with a very large mileage.
He is a university man. stands high
with certain members Of the Cabinet.
and has had opportunity n he so de-
sired 20 acquire additional honors IN
our foreign possessions. Taken IN con-
nection with the opinions OF Vice Presi-
dent Biddle. the expression indicates
that consistent action will follow prom
ises made. and that leading men are
lining up with the Administration The
official mentioned explains his position
In this forcible language:
II agree entirely with your attitude in
this matter. and think that there IS
only one certain and sure way OF over
coming the feeling OF distrust against
corporations, namely. by what Cto quote
Scripture) is called. Patient continu-
ance IN well doing For people who
have been IN the attitude Of 'freebooters'
all their lives to turn around and say,
Now. we intend to be good may be a
AAANN -AlhANuAA0Al VA lfA0i aAs RAN ~ NADN
rot carry any conviction with IT, To-
ward those interests. the only way to
change public sentiment Is by actions,
which speak louder than words. II IS
q lot easier 10 talk than to perform. but
the public Is finally going 20 be con-
WINGED by performance rather than by
talk"
Views on Forest Denudation-
A leading student OF commercial con-
ditions and in a position OF prominence
In railway lie where he can survey the
entire field. makes the following sug-
gestions upon denudation Of our forests
and remedial laws. I shall later say
more about this important question. but
for the present I quote below his ex-
act words:
a thought just occurred TO me that
you might give consideration 10. and II
such investigation az you care 10 make
OF IT confirms my opinion. possibly you
may care 20 do something about agi-
tating IL. II my conclusions are wrong.
then nothing ought TO be done about
it. II I am right, II seems 10 me that
q IS matter Of public welfare.
Il refer 10 the denudation Of our for
ests. which IS being rapidly augmented
by the amount of logs. timber, lum-
Der. and all sorts OF products OF the
forest in the rough that Is being ex-
ported TO foreign countries I have no
figures on the subject. but I know that
IL is enormous. 1 also know that all
foreign countries who require timber
are looking 20 the American market
for a very large part OF their supply.
also understand. although I have not
this phase OF the subject
that nearly all the other important
countries protect their timber supply in
every possible way.
Interest Of This Country.
Our interest IN the proposition az
carrier Is two-foId. First, because a
very large part OF this business that
goes for export lays in the immediate
OF the water transportation
routes. and II the rail carriers get any
thing QUE of 50, IL s. only a very short
haul and a very low rate. A great
deal OF the business Is barged 20 the
ports. The other phase that interests US
is the effect on the price that we have
10 pay for such lumber for our own
requirements. which as you know are
enormous.
''Somo Of the best informed lumber
men OF this country have told me IN the
last two years. that they estimated the
life OF the timber supply OF this country
II anywhere from twenty TO twenty-five
years Nothing is being done IN the d.
rection Of reproduction.
ASIDE from personal interests that
A.
hat the wise course for our Government
10 pursue would be 70 place a prohfbitive
duty on the expectation OF timber. and
10 make IL as easy as possible for our
people to get as much OF their timber
supply as possible from Canada or other
adjacent countries"
The report Of the Federal commission
relating 70 railway combinations seems
10 be crvstallizing sentiment in this way
rs concerning legislation that viii be
favored by the people in the forthcom-
ng Congress
The first thing sought will be the pro
nibition OF consultations that are in
heir nature 50 dangerously parallel
hat natural competition is eliminated.
This will mean that combinations for
through routes can be continued. but
must in no way restrain market move
nent by the formation OF one through
quite out OF two lines with clearly well
iefined interests Of a competing char
lcter
The second will be the prohIbi- on Of
he holding by any combination so
ormed OF an interest in parallel lines.