New-York tribune., 1909-07-05
"HELP[NG" LEGISLATION
ACTTFITY OF R4ILW4I
BUSINESS Association.
Not Interested in Telephone and
Telegraph Regulation, Yet Urges
Pleas TO Com mittee.

Pleas to Ommitt66.
The Railway Business Association which op
posed the enactment of any amendments 10 the
Public Service commissions law at the last ses-
sion OF the Legislature. including the important
clause sought by the Ist District Commission 10
define its power TO compel the issuance Of trans
GERS is concentrating its efforts for ''conserva-
tisrn' on the special committee appointed by the
legislative leaders 10 consider regulation OF
telephone and telegraph companies. which the
Legislature refused to pass on.
Letters have been sent from the headquarters
of the association in this city its members all
over the state urging them TO write 10 the MEM
bers Of this special committee according TO a
form Or model sent with the circular letters
This model after 2 paragraph calculated 10 fiat
Ter the individual 70 whom the letter should be
sen=, sets forth the view that the railroads
should enjoy liberty under law" phrase in
oicative OF the associations position that some
regulation IS necessary and proper. but that
1here should be as little Of il as possible
This proceeding is somewhat renarka bic.
the Railway Business Association disClaims ali
interest in the subject Of telephone and tele-
graph regulation Its officers say they believe
the legislative leaders intended 10 have the spe-
rial committee take Up the working OF the pres
-ent public service law and the achievements of
the commissions with their existing powers
Some letters according u the model furnished
evidently have been sent 70 the committeeman.
one member mas expressed himself TO friends as
very tired OF mechanical communications,
which sayored Of the literary ~acceleration" un-
der which the Legislature suffered when amend
ments 10 the Public Service commissions law
were before il al the last session. At that time
the Railway Business Association. various rail-
roads and business men and concerns under
fnNPT
the proposed amendments 10 the law.
Some Of 7he railroads ran special trains over
their routes collecting petitions from business
men and their employees against the amend
ments. while letters and teesrams. all accord
ing models. were written 10 legislators by the
score. Mostly they were dumped. URread after
the Tirst day or two into the legislators waste
baskets So pronounced did this effort become
70 create artificial sentiment against the meas
ures that a few legislators denounced the whole
procedure as gross moderation OF the kind
introduced by Lemuel z Quigg, who. to help
out certain Of the Ryan-Whitney traction
schemes. founded and financed out Of the trac-
ton funds locai organizations which jumped
when he WllistleG.
TRIES To INFLUENCE LEGISLATION.
The Railway Business Association is COM
binat:on Of individuals and concerns which sell
supplies 10 railroads Il has members from all
Go is national in scope Broadly. il undertakes
TO influence the passage OF legislation in any
state by the federal Congress SO II viii not be
unfair unfriendy 10 railroad interests. II
deprecaJes attacks railroads. any form
OF public activity likely 70 disturb railroad
business or earnings IN any degree At the same
time. its officers say. the association recognizes
thai the public has rights sometimes unrecog-
nized by the railroads. and intends to stand for
Ehe public. but not 10 an extent prejudiCial 10
the railroads interests Reports that the rail
roads are behind the organization or are fnanc-
ing 1t are denied emphatically and categorically
The letter sent out BY this association to its
members as follows:
RAILWAY BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
An organization formed TO conserve the Interests OF
factUrers Of railway materials and equipment,
sIiseeIlaneous railway supplies.
President. George A PoSf
e {gf. a EeS:-nEhogss o p Cutler
r..,.,,. -l Mgliiken % o P LetehwOTth Ie r : D..
o6 Conn. o " + Eee5. y sS < Psal + fe4ner m FF9g, f
E L Adreon- ! n SchWacke, A NJ
Thds51IfeT 5sa51z; S6a5les 'f.5- a ''.a5oST MooPe
assistant 10 president George a Post. IT.
Assistant treasurer. ". s Clayton.
Dear Sir: Inclosed please fnd copy OF letter which
has been sent 10 The members OF the committee OF
the next LEGISLATURE what enlarsenents. il any.
commissions White the tsNt OF the resolution aC
fesred only the proposed regulation of telephone
and telegraph companies in which the Railway Bus
tness Association has interest whatever one way
the other. il stated the floors Of both I
houses bv the SPONSORS Of the resolution that in
order arrive st intelligent decision as 10 +
whether the commissions CIISht TO have their power
extended over the telephone and telegraph com /
panies It would be necessary 10 examine into the
pOwel already granted Them.
We therefore regard il important that the }
rnan.facturng and business interests of the state
should lay before the members of the committee /
-heir desire for conservatism regards the power I
OF the commission over railroads Can YOU not ]
write 70 more members of the committee a {
letter somewhat along the line Of The inClosed2 II
sou do We should appreciate receiving copy OF /
Sour letter
The members OF the committee are Senators .
George - Davis. OF Buffalo; John ktssel Of Brook
and James !. Fravley. No Z Park Row, New }
York CITY: Assemblynen Edward A Merritt 5r-. OF {
Jootsdam: John r. Yale. Of Brewster: ArteInas /
Ward. 5r-, Of No. % Wall street. New York city: /
=. Henry Walters. of Syracuse. and Thomas 3 3
s.suehlan, of New York City. Letters will reach /
fhese gentlemen II addressed IN This form: Hen
George A. Davis Buffalo. y. Y. where street and
number not given
Trusting that count your prompt
xnd vigorous cooperation in this matter. remain,
Ssry truly yours GEORGE A POST.
p-eSiSanr
.TAFFY' FOR LEGISLATORS.
!, -ne model" letter 10 be sent 10 the members
pf che special committee was follows:
Dear Sir: Remembering witll~nuch satisfaction
broad spirit IN which sou viewed cur nCCeSSi-