New-York tribune., 1909-07-05

plans Of the railroad. considered an entire sys-
tenn
This principle applied to one Phase Of operation.
admirably expresses our view of the proVlsce OF
1t is hope that the commissions will be en-
powered TO take up the larger and more serious
them with detail Of operation
trusting that these suggestions VIII meet with
your approval. and assuring you Of our readiness
to cooperate with YOU in any way that may seem
TO YOU desirable and proper remain very truly
yours, President
George a. Post. jr-. assistant 70 the president
Of the association. explained that the prosperity
Of the country tied up with the railroads.
and particularly the prosperity of the railway
supply concerns and their employees that this
organization was formed to urge care and con-
servatism in all legislation affecting railroads
and their allied industries. and to combat the in
discriminate attacks railroads which, he
maintained had caused the recent panic He
denied that the railroads were behind the or
ganization. although he said it was quite pos
sible that railroad men recommended manu-
facturers to join it.
DENY RAILROAD BACKING.
we finance ourselves. and not one cent has
been paid into our treasury by any railroad
he said. we have on file here many letters
from railroad men, even railroad presidents,
commencing our work. That as you see. is
quite different thing" The association. he
went on. represented vast aggregation OF cap
ital and numberless workngnen. who were quite
within their rights in appearing before public
bodies 70 urge their views to the treatment Of
the railroads.
Frank W Noxson. secretary Of the associa-
tion. said that any notion that the organization
was intended to promote or oppose any partc-
ular piece Of legislation was incorrect.
we did because of the panic. from the ef-
fects of which this country still hardly is re-
covered. ask the legislatures of Illinois and New
York to refuse to pass any railroad regulation
measures" he said. This did as an emer-
gency course. regardless of the right or wrong
Of anything before those bodies. Such course
VIII never be taken by the association again. be
cause we think the public attitude toward lesis-
lation Of this character now is such that We
shall not have to adopt panic measures.
We are conducting campaign in favor Of
conservative treatment OF railroads. because our
business depends on It and. we believe. the bust
ness prosperity of this country. Wherever we
see head we shall hit it What I mean by
that is We shall work against any public Off
cial who seems to us to be inclined 10 take an
attitude toward railroads inimcal TO their best
interests which are the best interests OF the
public Likewise we shall endeavor TO foster
complete understanding between the railroads
and public bodies like the Public Service COM
missions here"
Mr.. Noxson was very anxious that the organi-
zation's work should not be construed as q con-
tinuaticn Of the let alone" position taken by
many Of the railroads. That was the position
taken by some Of the organizations representa-
tives at legislative hearings last winter Mr.
Noxson said that the necessity of state regula-
ton Of railroads was conceded ~ the organiza-
ton but it was held that this regulation should
not extend 10 details Of organization and bust