Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-03-14
MADE MAIDEN SPEECH ON RAIL
ROADS BEFORE MAoNATEs
22 YEARS AGO.
HAS NEVER BEEN INVITED
TO MAKE ANOTHER ONE
Depew and Morgan Pitied Him and
Tried to Dissuade Him-WiII Face
Nation This Week in Representing
People on Corporations Issue = The
MitcheIlviIIe Management.
Special to Times-Republican.

senator Cul1lInlaS VIII tillS week ldhS
up in the senate the discussion of the
national transportation question, and
for the first time will have opportunity
in the face Of the whole nation to pre-
sent the side of the people on the
greatest issue Of the times, it is recalled
that the junior senator is no amateur
in matters affecting the railroads and
transportation. AS a lawyer he was
easily the head of the bar in Iowa and
as such had as clients many of the
railroads. In this relation he came
into contact with all phases Of the
question. His brief legislative exper-
fence now twenty-five years ago re-
lated almost wholly to the framing OF
the present Iowa law for regulating
transportation. About that time Cum
minis also had dealings with the
moneyed men in the railroad world
which gave him opportunity to study
at first hand some of the larger phases
Of the railroad question. On one oc-
cas'on he had a little experience when
throws some light on his position and
also explains in part the never-end1ng
and Unfortunately bitter fight being
made against him, in Iowa and at
Washington.
Mr.. Cumnnins was invited to be one
of a number Of speakers at a little BAN
quet in New York City, following some
business matters in which he had APP
peared as attorney. 1t was what they
called very select crowd. Cummlns
was seated at the table between DepeW
and Morgan. The former in a patron
izing and fatherly way, turned to Cum
minis and said, in substance:
young man, ] pity you. Most OF
these people are worth at least three
or four million dollars each. They are
interested alone in what they have or
expect to have. You are to speak to
them and to try to interest them In
what you have to say. My experience
is, and I have had much experience,
that the hardest thing in the world to
do is to interest in a good speech lot
of rich drunkards. How much better
it is when you have anything to say to
be able to say it to sober men,"
It was understood that Mr.. Cummins
was to talk in favor Of individuality In
railroad life and against the moveme nt
for consolidation, ana both Depew ana
Morgan tried to dissuade him from
trying to interest the millionaires pres
| ent in such a theme, but Cummins de-
clared that even II nobody listened he
would speak what he believed to be
the truth. He insisted that pools and
| combinations were wrong.
emo. I don't agee with you at all, !"
finally said Morgan. "You are all wrong
| in your theory Of this thing. ] have
examined this whole subject carefully
and have decided what ought to be
done. want to see consolidated into
one organization subject to the con-
| troll Of one broad Of directors, all of the
| transportation lines on sea and land.
| It means an enormous saving all
around and better service. Don't you
see the advantages Of such an arrange
ment?"
! Eyes" said Mr.. Cummins, II can APP
preciate the economies possible under
such an arrangement; and iMr. Morgan,
if after you have got this consolidation
if you could just induce God to come
down and run it, would agree with
you. But am not willing to repose
| such power in mortal man"
| Mr.. Cummins has never since been
invited to address the Wall street mil
| lionaires Mr. Depew is still repre-
| senting the railroads in the senate.
| Since then Mr.. Morgan has gone far
toward carrying out his plan of corral
| ing all transportation lines and every
thing else. This week Senator Cum
Minis will add a chapter.
This week the people Of Des Moines
are teaching themselves how to find
the new postoffice, and they are dis
covering that the postoffice is pretty
much out of the way. 1t is six blocks
from the old postoffice, and whereas
all street cars went past the old one.
only two of the smaller lines of the
| city run past the new one. Except for
two or three of the large wholesale
houses the new location is inconvenient
for all business houses. 1t is expected
that as a result of this Inconvenience,
a movement will be started to retain
at least station at the old office, or to
establish one further up-town near the
retail district
| There is very great danger of a
shaking up at the girls Industrial
school at Mitchellville. 1t is an open
secret that for a long time there has
been INSTRUMENTATION and lack Of dis
cipline, and that the experiment of
having woman for disciplinarian and
business manager is to say the least.
Of doubtful success. Whatever else