The sun., 1908-04-30
BUSINESS VERSUS POLITICS
LEADERS or COMMERCE MOVE
TOBTOP NAGGING LEGISLATION.

the Traffic Club OF ST. Louis at the Jen erBOn
Hotel tonight, followed by dinner, wal
largely attended by members Of the club
assembled to listen to addresses by num-
Der Of prominent railroad men.
Among those who spoke we're B. F.
Yoapm, chairman Of the executive COM
mittee Of the Frisoo-Rook Island lines
B. d. Caldwell, vice-president Of the
Lackawanna; ". X. Bixby Of st. Louis and
@. A. Blood. freight traffic manager Of the
Lehigh Valley road, ".
The dinner tonight was the Inauguration
Of a movement the work OF which will I've
undertaken with great despatch, 30 that
II will attain national importance, It Is
hoped, within a few weeks. just what
means will be taken to call halt 10 hostile
legislation has not been outlined. but II
may take the form Of great national
gathering OF the friends Of the movement
in some central Western State, who then
by resolutions, speeches and parades will
make such an impression that both national
conventions will be bound to listen to their
reasonable demands The slogan Of the
movement will be Let us alone
The merchants and manufacturers Of
the country want radical, hysterical and
designing politicians to let them alone
Many Of these politicians are wofully
ignoFant Of the principles Of business.
They plan dissensions and incite dissatis-
faction among all classes merely to attain
political preierment. The slogan 'Let us
aIaann L. 80, 10 ga,,aI,A all k. l.p
In the approaching national campaign.
President George W Simmons OF the
club delivered a short address, reviewing
tTafio conditions He said in part:
Conditions which have existed and
even those which now surround us are
without precedent in our commercial
history Why is II that when our crops
are most promising and our country rich
and when all conditions which are usually
taken az the guides Of business are prac-
tioally perfect-why is it that the retun
to good times is hesitating?
What we need, gentlemen, is some
intelligent commercial missionary work.
You railroad officials can do much toward
crystallizing public opinion II you will in
str,lct your men just what to say and how
to say It, Don't talk to them in generali-
ties and expect them to have the brains
and ability to redistribute your ideas in
telligently, II they could do that they
would be occupying your place rather
than less important positions on your roads.
'We in industrial lines can do as much
or more and | urge upon you shippers
very earnestly to do your part. We now
believe we see a change FOR the better and
we are therefore doing whatever is within
our power 10 persuade others TO look at it
as we do, so that as early as possible the
public at large will regain its confidence
II that should come to pass there is nothing
short Of calamity or political upheaval
far worse than seems possible now which
could prevent the year 1909 being one Of
the best, II not thevery best business year
this country has ever seen.
B.F Yoakum declared that there has never
been time in the history ofOur country when
the masses so we'll understood the relations
Of the railroads 20 the public or 30 fully
realized the difficulties and hardshps to
which the railroads are subjected All the
States and Territories, barring the New.
England States, need more railroads, said
the speaker and he added:
The situation Of to-day il peculiar one,
in many ways a serious one, and one that
every thoughtful citizen must give due con-
alderation, as the country Is passing through
an unusual siege OF agitation and uncertainty.
Some OF the most thoughtful men Of our
country, the heads OF many OF the great
financial institutions Of foreign countries
and the able editorial writer's Of our press
have described the various causes that con-
tributed TO and brought about the business
difficulties we are now facing. and the public
is becoming well informed upon the subject.
The consensus OF opinion is that the trouble
has been precpiJated largely by too hssty
enactment OF laws, resulting in the discon-
tnuanoe OF railroad construction. the suS-
pension OF industrial activity. factory develop
ment and a curtsilment OF markets for the
farm products But we have reached point
where we should cease looking for the cause
and give attention TO remedy and this
remedy must come through the cooperation
and action OF the Thoughtful citizens OF the
country supported by the Endorsement and
Encouragement Of the press
At this time above all others We must look
for a successor to President Roosevelt who
shall be a big broad gauge man The COM
mercial. industrial. agricultural and laboring
interests through their representative OrgAni-
zations should dictate in a broad cOmpre-
hensive msnner the business planks Of the
platforms Of both parties. fairly protecting
both the public and the railroads. These
interests should ask the prospective Candi-.
dates to indorse or reject the planks so framed
In order that the country will know how they
stand.
MIR Yoakum spoke Of the interest Of
foreign nations in our affairs and said:
Al this time when the Eulers Of all strong
civilized nations and their advisers are
clamoring for industrial aud commercial
supremacy, all with a jealous eye on the
United States. which has ny TO this time
Aken the lead, the American people can
not AFFORD to become the llggards and silently
submit to n narrow policy framed TO suit
he selfish motives Of politicians and which
ran only stihe and retard our nations con-
iinued growth.
/ can see already many substantial evil
iences that the feeling Of the public Is chang
ng toward the railroads ~ II becomes better
OF their true conditions aud realizes
hat the ability TO take care Of their oblisa-
ions improy ements and expansion Is for
he general good and prosperity Of the country !
II large.
In some sections the citizens, regardless
" occupation, are organizing and saying |
% their public servants IN no uncertain terms |
hat the enactment OF unjust and restri ictlyS |
avs are not for the best interest OF the people.
they are demanding the repeal or modi- |
ioation OF some Of these laws. They feel |
hat their effect Is hurthll to every citizen. !
iephving him Of the business he h eret ofore |
las enjoyed. obsructing tho development |
" the country and the prosperity OF the |
people at large. The conditions fully war
-ant similar action throughout the entire |
The time Is opportune. The On hdi- I