Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-10
ADVICE TO RAILWAYS
Organization Expresses 0pin.
ion of Public Agitation.
BUSINESS POINT OF VIEW
Reasonable Desires of Patrons
Should Be Regarded.
PEOPLE DISPLAY FAIRNESS
Railroad ofacials May Prevent Flu
ture Criticism of Management.
Executive Committees Report.

NEW YORK. November 1O-The Rail-
way Business Association, an organiza-
ton formed to conserve the interests OF
the railways of the country, held It's first
annual meeting In this city today. The
report of the executive committee was
submitted. The association will give a
banquet tonight at which number of
addresses by prominent railroad men
will he made.
There will be no recurrence of pubic
agi alton against railroads IL the reason
able desires of their patrons are not dis
regarded by the arrangements Of rail-
roads, was the theme of the executive
committees annual report, which says:
THE Railway Business Association
was organized one year ago with the
view of ascertaining what the railway
supply Industries can do to create public
opinion more friendly to the railroads.
1--WE have taken no part I'm the affairs
of any party or faction, or I'm the discus
sion Of any question except railroad
regulation. and have maintained COM
Gals.
Spirit Of Fairness.
THE public. speaking through the
boards of trade, through the press and
through political representatives. has
shown that employers asking only fair
and moderate consideration of measures
affecting them are welcome, and has
cordially acknowledged the worthiness Of
our motive. our right to the heard ana
our frankness i'm conceding the need OF
regulation, as well as Of some voluntary
changes In railroad practice.
THE railroad officials. on the other
hand. have been convinced, by the very
cordially of our reception at the hands
of the public, that the greatest success
lies In conference, Cancellation and con-
cession practiced in the diplomacies
of competitive commerce.
1T is our settled conviction that no
real benefit can come from q general
program of obstruction to regulation.
Regulation has come to stay. There will
be commissions, whether railroads like 1t
not.
1.-THE railroads, through special maya
zines, bulletins and otherwise. are urging
their men to meet the public desires.
Portions of the public often ask what
they ought not to have. and what 1t Is
not in the public interest for them to
have. An appalling mass Of bills con-
fronts Congress and every state legts-
lature at every session. 1t is physically
impossible for legislators to spread their
attention over so many suggestions and
still give adequate heed to the prevention
of mistakes in the bills which become
laws.
Opinion Of Business Men.
1--WE find it nevertheless to be the con-
viction of many business men ard others
that a large part OF the antagonism to
railroads has its origin in displeasure
over what seems to them inconsiderate
treatment given by the railroads. Our
might go far to solve
the whole question IL we could induce the
railroads to redouble their efforts In the
direction of Strengthening the personnel
of those grades Of their employees who
come most in contact with the public and
have most to do with forming public
opinion.
Many thoughtful observers look for
ward with grave apprehension to another
reaction OF public feeling against the
railroads Disregard OF the reasonable
desires of railroad patrons infiame those
who are Immediately affected by them,
and give opportunity for arousing wide
spread resentment among the masses Of
the PEOPLE II the return to prosperity
and the present recession OF hostility
against the railroads should foster heed
lessness and result in a lapse into prac-
tees upon just criticism this will furnish
material for, new anti-railroad cam
paign.
ITO avert this calamity the best efforts
of all concerned and especially those
closely concerned should be freely given.