Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-12
SOLVING TRAFFIC PROBLEMS
Railroad Men, Legislators and Ship.
pers Meet at Banquet Board,
W. P. HEPBURN MAKES ADDRESS
Former Congressman Asks ~ super
vision Of Increases In Capital
stock Would Iniure
Anyone.

NEW YORK, Nov. II, - Legislation
enough for the present argued men who
manage railroads, further federal control,
pleaded legislators; cooperation in the in
terests Of fair dealing, proposed shippers
and others. These varied views on the
great common carriers we're expressed to-
night at the first annual banquet Of the
Railway Business association at the Wal
dorf-Astoria.
The association, which is a sort Of self
imposed medium Of Cancellation between
the railways and the public had as its
guests at table tonight more than GOO men
interested In railroads.
George A. Post, president OF the associa-
ton, was POSTMASTER, and after a toast
to President Taft, he jumped to the ques-
ton Of what would be done with Mr.. Taft
as an ex-president.
He is not much of a hunter" said
Mr.. Post, and It costs money to play
golf, then, perhaps, because he is a good
travelling man he'll become connected with
some railway"
The keynote Of Mr.. Posts address was
Conference, Cancellation and Concession
by all Concerned"
Former Representative w. P. Hepburn of
Iowa, author Of the Hepburn act, however,
suggested that there were yet railroad mat
ters over which the government should
have control. For Instance, he asked,
What serious hurt could come to rail-
roads II their capital could not be In
creased until approved by government
authority? -
He declared that neither the lawmakers
nor the people had any spirit Of vindic-
%tiveness.
William c.. Brown, president of the New
York Central lines, declared that in times
Of depression our unemployed will be num-
bered by millions and he suggested the in
creased pursuit Of agriculture as a means
to f~orestall such conditions. He said he
intended to recommend to the New York
Central lines that the road operate at its
W expense under auspices of the state
agricultural college, a series Of expert
mental farms.
This would return to the rural districts
the preponderance Of political power" he
said, where it can be more safely lodged
than in congested centers of population,
already ominously powerful in many of our
states.''
W. H. Marshall, president Of the Ameri-
can Locomotive company, was one who
held that there already was an excess of
railroad legislation.
President Ripley of the Santa Fe was
among the others who spoke, while letters
sent by President McCrea of the Pennsyl-
vania, Marvin Hughitt, president of the
Chicago & northwestern and President w
w. Finley of the Southern railway.
The association at its business session
this Afternoon reelected George A. Post,
president and Charles A.. Moore. treasurer.
w. G.. Pearce OF Chicago was chosen to
fill a newly created vice presidency. The
other vice presidents were reelected as
follows: H. G. Westinghouse, o. II. Cut
Ter, w. II. Marshall, f.. S. S. Keith, A. H.
Mulliken and o.. P. Letchworth.
Mr.. Hepburn in dis address said:
Discrimination and rebates through
twenty years compelled the legislation OF
1906. We are now told in some quarters
that there is to be other legislation. Prob
ably some contemplated provisions would
be harmful. others not. What serious hurt
&C uld come to railroads If the capital could
not be increased until the matter had been
approved by government authority?
1T has been suggested that the commits