Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-11
RAILROAD MEN
IN CONVENTION
VARIED VIEWS EXPRESSED AT
BANQUET
RIPLEY SAYS THE PEOPLE CON-
TRoL THE ROADS
Legislators Urge Further Federal Re-
strietions, While Managers of
Several Lines Make Cry
of "Enough"
TBy Associated Press. ]

NEW YORK, Nov. 10.-Legislation
enough for the present, argued men
who manage railroads; further federal
control, pleaded legislators; co-opera-
tion in the interest OF fair dealing,
urged shippers and others.
These varied views were expressed
tonight at the first annual banquet or
the Railway Business association at
the Waldorf-Astoria.
The association, which is sort of
self-constituted medium of concilia-
tion between the railways and the
public, had as its guests tonight more
than 600 men interested in railroads
George A. Post. president, was toast
master and after toast to President
Taft he jumped to the question of what
would be done with Mr.. Taft as for
mer president
He is not much of hunter said
Mr. Post, "and it costs money to play
golf, so perhaps since he is a good
travelling man he will become COM
nected with some railway"
Former Representative w. P. Hep
burn of Iowa, author of the Hepburn
act, suggested that there were yet rail-
road matters over which the govern
ment should have control.
Pertinent Question
For instance, he asked. what serious
hurt could come to railroads if their
capital could not be increased until ap
proved by government authorities?"
William c. Brown, president of the
New York Central lines. declared that
"in times of depression our unemployed
will be numbered by Millions and he
suggested the increased pursuit Of ag-
riculture as a means to tOrestall such
conditions.
He said he intended to recommend
10 the New York Central lines that the
road operate at its own expense un-
der, auspices of the state agricultural
college a series of experimental farms.
This would return to the rural dis
tricts the preponderance of political
power" he said, where it can be more
safely lodged than in congested centers
Of population already ominously pow
erful IN many of our states"
With The Railroads and Public
Approval" as his subject, Edward
Ripley, president Of tie Atchison, To-
pel1a & Santa Fe, said after all it
was the people that indirectly ruled
the great carriers.
After reviewing the history Of rate
legislation, touching on imperfections
of the interstate commerce law, as FIRST
passed, he said
whatever sins may be laid at our
door; however much We may have
business to be controlled exclusively
by it's owners; however much we have
resented or still resent the interference
of the public, as manifested i'm the va
rious governing bodies, it is, after al,
the public that is master. as we must
all recognize"
To meet this suggestion Mr.. Ripley
suggested a sincere endeayor by the
railroads to keep in close touch with
public opinion and to install improve
ments wherever consistent and pos
sible, even without hope of approval
II am sure" he continued. that I
voice the sentiment of all managing
railroad officers when l say our great
desire is to please the public and give
1T the best possible service at the
least possible compensation consistent
with reason.
DETERMINATIONS have long since
passed away and nobody is better
pleased than the railroad man that it
Is go There is no desire to escape
either responsibility or regulation
I'm this country the people rule, and
In the long run that system, that
method or that personality that does
aot meet the appreciation Of the pub
&c cannot succeed"