Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-02-16
WARNING
Takes Railroad Managers to
Task For Not Playing Fair
With the Public :
CAUSE VICIOUS LEGISLATION
Says the Present Antasonism on Part
of Both Roads May Lead to situa
ton Disastrous to Both-sugsests
Seeking Basis Of Compromise
Other Important News.

New York, Feb. 16.-The second an
New York was held at the Waldorf
Astoria last night The society had as
its guests Secretary of the Treasury
Leslie NJ. Shaw and Theo. P. Shonts,
chairman of the Panama canal COM
mission. Secretary Shaw dealt with
the American industries.
Mr.. Shonts' speech was almost ex-
clusively devoted to discussion OF the
railroad question. The most important
part of his speech was that referring
to rates. On this subject he said:
The attitude of the present national
administration on the question OF rates
has not been to secure their reduction.
but to prevent unjust discrimination
in them. Railroad rates in the United
States are lower than anywhere else
in the world, while the service, under
normal conditions is better.
/ do not think that the public is de-
manding cheaper transportation SO
much as it Is demanding safe, reliable
and adequate transportation.
In the matter Of improvements, the
railroads Of the country, almost With
out exception, have been pursuing
hand to mouth policy, which has prov
en- costly to themselves and Irritating
10 the public. Costly to themselves,
because, before improvements neces-
sary to relieve existing conditions have
been completed. their capacities hive
been exceeded by the growth OF traffic;
Irritating to the public because at no
time In recent years has the puplic
been able to get free from the delays
and annoyances of acute state OF con-
gestion. The result is the railroads
are conducted Observation-Disclosures DIN
are confronted also with a state OF
public mind extremely hostile. So that
the raising of money to provide facil-
tiles so urgently needed is, under pres
ent conditions well nigh impossible,
altho many OF the corporations have
sought to do SO at the risk of almost
imperilling their credit.
The situation is grave one. If the
various states continue arbitrarily to
reduce rates, as some Of them are do
ing. and the various labor organiza
lions continue to press their demands
for increased wages and shorter hours
the next unprecedented crop harvested
in this country will be record break
ing crop of receiverships. wish to
say and with all possible emphasis
that in my judgment the time has come
for fair consideration to both sides OF
this controversy. In other words the
time has come for what the president
calls square deal,". but we want 1t al!
around.
There is no doubt than in the build
ing up of these properties things have
been morally wrong, but because they
were legally right and cannot be legal
ly disturbed, what is the use of ex-
plotting them when no result can be
secured except to furnish material for
the charlatan and the demagog, and
to intensity class bitterness?
If any government, whether national
state or municipal, permits any injus-
tice to be done to corporations mere
ly because they are corporations;
whether lIIlS lIlJuSLlCG is lllG lCSQll VI
proper Or improper motives, the real
sufferer in the last analysis is the
small investor.
Let us compromise on the best
available and the most practicable. Let
the railroad managers lay aside all
subterfuge and come out in the open.
Let there be a maximum of publicity
and minimum of legislation. Let
eminent financiers and captains of
industry" cooperate with the president
to bring about better corporate prac-
tees. Let them lay their cards on the
table and say to the president. I'VE
will uphold your hands, not only in en-
forcing existing laws, but in asking
such others as are necessary to prevent
wrong doing, but you in return must
protect us from the irresponsible agi-
tator, whoever he may be-" Let us
convince the public that we will give 1t
the best facilities American ingenuity
can devise. and in my judgment the
funds required will be forthcoming