New-York tribune., 1909-01-08
GOV. HUGHES HOPEFUL
With ". G. BrO5cn addresses Al
bang Chamber of Commerce.

Albany Jan. 7.-Predicting prosperous business
year for Empire State. Governor Hughes tarrieH
long enough at the annual dinner OF the Albany
Chamber of Commerce al the Hotel Ten Eyck 10
night TO wish those in attendance happy Ne"
Year then hurried away to the State Armory. wnere
he had promised TO review the ID Battalion. 10th
Infantry. and attend the military ball given Tor
the benefit of :he Italian earthquake sufferers
Introduced by President George Philton OF the
Chamber Of Commerce, the Governor explained MS
reason for departing early.
II have to bring you New Years greet
ing" said the Governor. and to wish you most
abundant prosperity. We have stared the year
we'll and the business Of the state have never
had better reason to look forward TO good fortune
] believe thal the standard Of the Empire State
will continue 10 represent enterprise justice and
prosperity
Ex-Mavor Seth Low of New York and ". c.
Brown, who recently elected president OF the
New York Central Railroad Company. were among
those who addressed the gathering, which Included
besides representative business men of Albany.
score Of prominent New York Central Railroad
officials among whom were Vice-Presdents A. H.
Smith Ira A. Place, Charles F DAILY and John
Christensen and Assistant General Manager P. r
Crowley.
President Brown responding TO the toast The
Country and the Railroads" reviewed briefly the
history Of the transportation business Of the coun
try outlining the conditions with which they have
had 10 contend during the last years and the
conditions that confront them to-day
'TF the railroads could have purchased the ma
teriaI and equipment used and obtained the labor
employed in the year 1907" said Mr. Brown. on
the basis of prices and scale OF wages IN effect In
1897, their cost operation plus the cost Of i'm
provements and extensions, would have been ap-
proxiraately 1876 600 600 less and had they re-
ceived for doing business Of 1907 the rates OF
1897. their earnings would have been approximate
Iy $50. 900, 600 greater than they were
Taking into account the rapidly increasing husi-
ness OF the railroads. Mr.. Brown declared that IL
will be necessary TO raise 81 co00o for the pur-
chase OF increasing and improving railroad facii-
ties during the coming fifteen years
The West, and especially the great Southwest,
said Mr. Brown must have thousands Of miles OF
new railroads 10 make possible the tremendous de-
velopment of which that region IS capable. Texas
alone has ffty-five counties in which the whistle
Of a locomotive has been heard. and the
State Of Texas can, with adequate railroad fach-
ties and proper cultivation raise more cotton than
IS now produced IN the United States. could
double the annual crop of the country
The East requires little in the way OF new
railroads but does need. and must have. vast i'm
provenents in existing roads, especially in their
Atlantic seaboard terminals During the two
decades from 1865 to 1925 the New York Central
Railroad will expend IN such improvements an
amount closely appro xmating, If Il does not eA-
ceed the original eost Of the road"
Fx-Navor Seth Low, Of New York. speaking on
the topic Conservation OF National Resources
declared that no public franchises should be
granted for any purpose in the future. either ~
the nation or the state, except upon terms that
prov!de for q periodical readjustment IN the In
terest of the public at reasonably short intervals