The Washington times., 1908-02-12
Better Times Predicted
At Alexandria Banquet
Chamber Of Commerce En-
tertains Large Crowd of
Business Men.
President Finley and John
Sharp Williams Discuss
Condition of Country.

With the president OF the Southern
railway, W. ". Finley. declaring that
the business outlook is row bright AM
that Virginia IS destined to become great
and prosperous, and John Sharp VII
llams. leader Of the minority in the
House, predicting tina. a man with Dem
ocraic IDEAS VIII be tae next President.
and that the Democratic party of the
South viii be strong enough IN 1912 TO
elect a Democrat TO the Presidency. the
first annual banquet of the Alexandria
Chamber Of Commerce last night proved
a happy occasion
Referred to ROOSEVELT
The political predictions OF Mr.. VIII
Jams were Interpreted by many 10 mean
that he referred TO Theodore Roosevelt
when he said that while a Northern man
would be the next President, that man
would be IN sympathy with Democratic
ideals. He further emphasized this by
saying that the South was growing
at such a remarkable rate in wealth and
power that it would DO strong enough
to elect 20 the Presidency a man who
would be a Democrat In name as we'll
as in ideals.
William A. SmOot. f.. president OF the
chamber. acted as toastmaster. 4 party
Of guests went from WASHINGTON on the
private car MI. Vernon" which was
under the personal charge Of Joseph Col
yin, superintendent Of the Washington.
alexandria. and Mt. Vernon railway.
II was after II o'clock when Mr. Srnoot
/ raped Tor order and Introduced the
first speaker, Mayor Fred Par. The
mayor extended the hospitality OF the
city 10 the guests. Mr. Sm0ot then
caLltu upon Representative q. &. Carlin
70 introduce Mr. Finley. Mr.. Carlin re-
leEIeu 10 the just Ceusure and Tebukes
20 which railroads had laid themselves
liable, but said that Legislatures had
gone as far wrong in one direction as
the railroads had gone in the other. and
taat Tead5ustment was at hand.
Finley Applauded.
The response Of Mr.. Finley was closely
listened TO and was interrupted fire.
quenuy by applause. He made a strong
plea for public consideration OF those
who had invested their money I'm rail-
road enterprises and laid down What he
termed basic principles involved in the
governmental regulation OF railways by
state and Federal AT lority." A de-
cidedly optimistic vim rar through hts
remarks.
Mr.. Finley said IN part. after a dis
cussion OF the principles OF regulation
The railways Of the country are feel
/ ing the present business depression
probably more than most other business
! enterprises, but am not pessimistic
! as TO the future. I believe that the
! agitation through which we have passed
mas resulted in much good by the awak-
/ enlng or the corporate conscience and
/ py the enlightment OF public opinion.
Abuses Corrected.
THE abuses Of the past having been
/ substantially corrected, the time has
/ come sfor the adoption OF constructive
/ policies. il is a time for building Up.
rather than tearing down. The contln-
/ uei prosperity Of the United States
must be based on commercial expansion,
/ and not on contraction. 1t IS time for
/ the American people 10 unite in support
! OF policies Of construction. and 20 work
! together for the upbuuding OF our COM
| mon country, and for its social and ma
| terial development.
| Il am convinced that, though some
/ mistakes may be made at first. gov
| ornamental regulation VIII ultimately be
/ and 70 economic laws. am also con-
/ WINGED that. as the relations that should
/ exist between the public and the car
! Tiers come to be better understood,
| there viii be less friction between them.