New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-11-23
RAILWAYS MAKE APPEAL
Governor O'NeaI OF Alabama Con-
dennis Efforts to Cripple Them.
SAYS SOUTH NEEDS ROADS
Business Association at Dinner
Also Hears Government Con-
troll Is Growing Rapidly.

After a day of business sessions and eX-
change OF ideas on the subject of railways
and tho manufacture Of railway equipment
and supplies, the Railway Business Asso-
citation held its third annual dinner at the
Waldorf last night.
Emmett O'Neal, Governor of alabama,
and Walker u. Hines, chairman OF tho eX-
ecutivc committee OF the Atchison, To-
peka & Santa Fe Railway. were the prin-
cipal speakers. and the guests of honor
were the presidents Of various large bust
ness organizations throughout the country.
among whom were a. {. Rulofson, OF San
Francisco; H. c. PettingiI Of Dallas, Tex;
J. w. Porch. Of New Orleans; Rolla Wells.
of St. Louis. Harry a. Wheeler, Of Chi
cago; =. r. Babcock, OF Pittsburg; Henry
F. Baker, of Baltimore; William NJ. Coates,
OF Philadelphia: w. T.. Robertson. Of Buff
falo: Albert X. Eastwood, of Rochester;
Frank Brainard. Henry Il. Towne, Cleve-
land II. Lodge, J. c. Lincoln and J. Kirby.
jr. Among the other guests present were
about forty presidents and vice-presidents
of railroads. and most Of the Public Service
Commissioners Of the state.
Calls Dinner an Inventory
George \. Post. president Of the asso-
citation, was POSTMASTER, announcing the
dinner As an inventory Of the regu-
latory plant that TO bring
sautary effect upon statutory enactments
conflicting with prosperity Of railroads.
After offering a toast to the president
Nh Post asked the diners to drink to the
health. wealth and continuous prosperity
o. the greatest trust aggregation of tho
land. whose every contract with man is
for tho only and avowed purpose to stine
competiiion--our ladies'"
In introducing Governor ONeal the
tosstmaster said if ever statesmen were
needed in this country il was now, and
that courage, wisdom and integrity we're
the prerequisites of those called 10 adj
minister the laws of the country now.
He praised Governor O'Neal's attitude to-
ward capital and cited as his great
achievement that declaration of the Ala
hama Legislature which shone from the
illuminated sign above the speakers table,
Investors of capital. whether money,
mind or muscle. shall have thrown around
them the protection Of wise and just
laws"
Governor O'Neal then said:
Neither the railroads nor the people can
expand to the full measure of their poten-
tial development without the sustaining
good will Of the other. ANY policy adopted
By ono which unduy binders, retards or
LAYS an oppressive hand upon the other
reacts 10 its own serious injury.
lie added that confscatory rates made
by p state were rs had as predatory rates
made By the railroads. and he expressed
his qualification on the fact that his own
state had declared itself for policy which,
while protecting public rights. condemned
attempts 10 cripple the railroads. He con
tnued:
Notwithstanding the marvellous indus
trial progress Of the South We are Yet IN
the infancy Of our development. With.
out additional modes Of cheap and easy
transit between tho different sections #
our states and 10 the markets Of the world
our industrial development must necesSari-
Is he retarded. Hence we recognize not
only the importance Of utilizing our water
ways. but OF securing the construction or
more railways.
We recognize that IN an undertaking
so haZa rdous q the construction and Oper-
alton Of railroads investments in these en-
terpriseS viii cease If these corporations
are restricted I'm their earnings 10 the limit
would discourage railroad building would
not only be- GnwiSe but detrimental 10 the
best interests OF our section.
In Insisting upon the sovereign power Of
the state to regulate intrastate rates We
are not seeking TO restrict the operation Of
railroads impede or check their growth,
or proven, fair and even liberal returns
on their property.