Bisbee daily review., 1908-12-31
TO PREVENT INJURIOUS
ANTLRAILRoAD LEGISLATION.
New York Tfnes.l

(New York nnes.)
A movement looking to the restora-
ton Of the purchasing power of the
railroads throughout the country.
which have bought little material or
equipment for a year or more. has
been undertaken by the Railway Bust
ness association. an organization re-
Gently formed by representatives OF
the many large manufacturing con-
Germs which supply the railroads with
their equipment One Of the objects
of the association, which has already
enrolled a membership representing
combined capital of nearly 100000,
900. is to pursuade boards of trade
throughout the United States TO pass
resolutions looking to the discourage
ment Of anti-railroad legislation.
Members of the newly formed asso
citation say that hasty legislation in
recent years Is largely responsible
for the condition in which the rail
roads now find themselves. condi-
ton which has deferred them from
large purchases of equipment, to the
great financial detriment of the man.
ufacturers who have formed the Rail-
way Business association.
The propaganda Of the association
is somewhat unique. It's motive is
described as enlightened self inter
est" and its members say that be-
cause of the inability OF the railroads
to spend money for new equipment
many large supply plants have been
compelled to run half time The man
ufanturing concerns whose principal
customers are the railroads employ, |
when times are good, about 1.5O0.- |
900 men, it is estimated large
proportion are skilled employees re-
ceiving high wages. af..--.. . |
The reason for the organization of
the association is that these manu-
facturers want business, the employees |
want work. Members of the associa-
ton say that the manufacturing con-
Germs which supply the railroads with
equipment, the tradesmen from whom
the employees Of the manufacturing
concerns buy the necessaries of life, !
and even the railroad employees them.
selves, are suffering from the shut.
ting of in part, of that vast stream
or money which amounted to nearly |
81, 500, coo. 900 in 1907.
The association contends that the
anti-raiIroad legislation in recent |
years has resulte" IN hIling invest
srs with apprehension as to the Sc
curity of railroad investments, has
restricted the borrowing power. and |
hence the restriction of the purchas- |
ing power Of the railroads.
The question when the newly form |
ed association has set about to an
swer is: What is the cure for the
present condition OF the railroads.
And its answer is This Stop the agi-
tation." One object of the associa-
ton is to band together all those di-
rectly interested in movement to
make the railroad situation better IN
derstood and to foster public opin-
ion favorable to viewing transporta-
ton problems without prejudice.
The campaign outlined by the asso-
citation is designed to call the atten-
ton of members of congress and of
the legislatures to the widespread de-
rnand existing for a commercial
breathing spell Recently the Hill
nois Manufacturing association, which
has made forcible demands upon the
railroads, passed a resolution declar-
ing that "all interests have suffered
by loss Of confidence in the security
Of Investments" ard urging legisla-
tors, state and national, to "discour-
age all measures having a tendency
to continue or aggravate the agita-
ton agaiHgt corporate interests and
to support al Ies;. !ation which, with
CIT injury to their own constituents,
will tend to allay the hostility toward
business conducted under corporate
form. including M nUfacturing, com
merciaI and transportation companies,