The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1909-11-11
RAILROAD BUSINESS ASSOCiA
TON MET YESTERDAY IN
NEW YORK CITY,
RAILROADS AND PUBLIC
Form Conference For Cancellation
More Than 600 Men interested
in Railroads Are
Present.


Ienough for the present, argued the
linen who manage the railroads; fur
Ither federal control, pleaded the legis,
latOrs cooperation of interests and
fair dealing proposed the shippers,
and others. These varied views on
the great common carriers of the
country were expressed tonight at
the first annual banquet of the Rail
way Business Association at the
Waldorf Astoria.
The association which is self
imposed medium of cancellation be-
tween the railways and the public,
had as its guests more than six hun
Idred men interested in railroads,
There will he no recurrence of pub
lie agitation against railroads if the
reasonable desire of their patrons
fare not disregarded by the manage
ments of railroads is the theme of
1.-THE annual report of the executive
lcommittee of the Railway Business
Association which met here today. The
report says:
The Railway Business Association
was organized one year ago with the
Eview of ascertaining what the rail
Iway supply industries can do to
create public opinion more friendly
to the railroads.
I'VE have taken no part in the
affairs of any party or faction, or in
the discussion of any question except
railroad regulation, and have main
tanned complete Independence of the
railroad officials.
The public, speaking through
boards of trade, through the press
and through political representatives
has shown that employers asking only
flair and moderate consideration of
measures affecting them, are wei
come. and has cordially acknowledged
the worthiness OF our motive. our
right to he heard. and our frankness
in 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 concession as prac-
ticed in the diplomacies of cumpeti-
tive commerce
! 1T Is our settled conviction that
no real benefit can come from gen
eral program of obstruction to legs-
lation. Regulation has come to stay.
There will be commissions whether
railroads like it or not.
"The railroads through special
magazines. bulletins and otherwise
are urging their men to meet the pub
lie desires.
Portions OF the public often ask
what they ought not to have and
what it is not in the public interest
'or them to have. An appalling mass
Of bills confronts congress and every
state legislature at every session. It
physically impossible for legisa-
tors to spread their attention over so
many suggestions and still give ade-
1uate heed to the prevention of mis-
takes in the bills which become laws.
We find it nevertheless to be the
conviction of many business men and
others that large part of the antag-
onlsm to railroads has its origin in
| iispleasure over what seems 10 them
'nconsiderate treatment given by the
railroads. Our representations might
% far to solve the whole question
we could induce the railroads to
rcdouble their efforts in the direction
II strengthening the personnel OF
those grades of their employees who
come most Ill contact with the public
and have most to do with forming
public opinion.
Many thoughtful observers lool
onward with grave apprehension &c
mother reaction of public feeling
iasinst the railroads Disregard o.
he reasonable desires of railroad
patrons intame those who are i'm
nedlately affected by them and give
/ opportunity for aruusng widespread
resentment among the masses of The
. people. If the return to prosperit,
= and the present recession of hostilit,
: against the railroads should foste
! heedlessness and result in a lapse in
!. to practices upon just criticism, thi
7 wull furnish material for new anti
: railroad campaign,
I a..