Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-11-10
NO RECURRENCE OF PUBLIC Ael.
TATIoN If DESIRES OF PAT.
RoNs ARE NEEDED.
RAILWAY ASSOCIATION
OUTLINES CONDITIONS
Conference and Cancellation Can Do
Much to Bring About Closer and
More Agreeable RelatIons-Another
Reaction in Sentiment Would Rrino
Disaster to Business.

New York, Nov. 10.-There will be
40 recurrence of public agitation
against railroads if the reasonable de-
sires Of their patrons are not disre-
garded by the arrangements of rail-
roads, is the theme of the annual report
Of the executive committee of the Rail-
way Business Association which met
here today. The report says:
''The Railway Business Association
was organized one year ago with. the
view of ascertaining what the railway
supply Industries can do to create pub
lie opinion more friendly to the rail-
roads.
I'VE have taken no part in the af-
fairs of any party or faction, or in the
road regulation. and have maintained
complete independence of the railroad
officials.
"The public, speaking thru boards of
trade, thru the press and thru political
representatives, has shown that en-
ployers asking only fair and moderate
consideration Of measures affecting
them, are welcome, and has cordially
acknowledged the worthiness of our
motive, our right to be heard, and our
frankness in conceding the need OF
regulation as well as some voluntary
changes in railroad practice.
"Ihe railroad officials, on the other
hand, have been convinced, by the very
cordiality of our reception at the
hands Of the public, that the greatest
success lies In conference, Cancellation
and concession as practised in the di-
plomacies of competitive commerce.
ut is our settled conviction that NJ
real benefit can come from a genera
program of obstruction to regulation
Regulation has come to stay. There viii
be commissions whether railroads lik,
it or not.
s"The. railroads thru special maga.
zines, bulletins and otherwise are urg.
ing their men to meet the public de.
sires.
Portions of the public often ash
what they ought not to have and wha
it is not in the public interest for then
to have. An appalling mass of bill:
confronts congress and every stat.
legislature at every session. 1t is ply.
sically impossible for legislators t,
spread their attention over so man,
suggestions and still give adequate nee'
to the prevention of mistakes in tht
bills which becomes laws.
I'VE find it nevertheless to be thu
conviction of many business men ant
others that a large part of the an
tagonism to railroads has its origin il
displeasure over what seems to then
inconsiderate treatment given by tn,
railroads. Our representations Nigh
go far to solve the whole question if w,
could induce the railroads to redoubl,
their efforts in the direction o
strengthening the personnel of thos
grades of their employees who COM
most in contact with the public ant
have most to do with forming publi
opinion.
Many thoughtful observers look for
ward with grave apprehension to an
other reaction of public feeling agains
the railroads. Disregard of the rea
sonable desires of railroad patrons in
flame those who are Immediately af
fected by them, and give opportunit
for arousing widespread resentmen
among the masses of the people. 1
the return to prosperity and the pres
ent recession of hostility afiainst tn
railroads should foster heedlessness an
result in a lapse into practices upo
just criticism, this will furnish materia
for new anti-railroad campaign.
ITO avert this calamity, the best eff
forts of all concerned and especial
those closely concerned should b
freely given.