New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-05
jerks Tells Federation Ma
ton Could Work
Some Utilities.
GOVERNMENT COULD
NOT RUN RAILROADS
Need of American Mercantile
Marine Is Strongly Urged
by Seth Low.

telegraph and telephone systems and
municipal utilities was the principal
subject discussed yesterday at the open
ing of the fifteenth annual meeting OF
the National Civic Federation at the
Hotel Aston. Seth Low. president or
the federation. in his annual address
made strong plea for permanent and
universal peace when the European war
should come 10 an end, and discussed
some of the problems this country mas
to face as a result of the war.
There was large attendance. Many
women interested in the work OF the
woman's department were present
Professor jeremiah w. jerks, of New
York University, sounded note OF
warning against the trend Of govern
ment management Of business. While
not opposed to government ownership
of certain quasi-public utilities, ne
raised many doubts as to the feasibility
of the government owning and oper-
ating railroads.
The decisive factor in government
ownership and management Of the
railroads in Germany was undoubtedly
military, he said; the political and
social factors were secondary. In con-
sidering the question in this country
the military aspect was practically
ignored, and there were decided DIFF
ferences of opinion regarding the imam
cial and social aspects. The funda-
mental principle to keep in mind IN all
cases was that of the public welfare.
Urges American Marine.
President Low spoke particularly Of
the urgent necessity" Of an American
merchant marine and the new aspect
given to the immigration problem.
"The war in Europe" he said, I'm
volving as it does fighting upon every
continent, except, thanks TO the Mon
roe Doctrine, the two Americas, and
disturbing as it does all the normal
relations of the civilized world, has
profoundly disturbed American life IN
many of its aspects. When 1t was sud
denly realized that the most powerful
maritime nations of the world were
at war the American people saw, as
though il were brought out by search
light, how essential it is for this coun-
try that it should have its own mer-
chant marine for foreign commerce.
ut is estimated that as much as
$500, 100000 must be paid annually to
Europe in the way Of interest and dlvl-
dends TO meet the outlay OF travellers,
for freight money and the like. To the
extent that an American merchant ma
rine can do our own foreign carrying
trade we shall keep at home the freight
money which we are now Obliged to
send abroad"
Referring to immigration, Mr.. Low
said:
Immigration has been given a new
aspect. No one can yet tell what VIII
happen when the European war is over.
One would think that every man IN
Europe who can get to the united
States would want to come, but. on the
other hand, after such an appalling de
struction of life there may be in the
countries that are at war such large
opportunity for profitable employment
that the motive for coming to America
will be less strong than it was before
at is quite certain that in come of
the warning countries, if not in all, the
governments will make determined eff
forts to keep their men at home. There
is some reason TO fear that the nations
will strive to keep at home the able
bodied and the sound, but viii be quite
willing to facilitate the departure OF
the weak and dependent
Must BE Prepared.
"What ought 10 be the attitude of
this country to this question should be
carefully thought out now before the
problem is actually upon us. Arrange
ments should be made for the action
that may be called for"
Mr.. Low commended the action of
Congress in creating an Interstate
Trade Co. mission to deal with prac-
tees in business which do not essen
TALLY come under monopoly as defined
in the Sherman law.
John Hays Hammond pointed out
some Of the lessons this country might
learn from the war. He strongly ad-
vocated EARNED peace" or prepared
ness for war.
Mr. Hammond also discussed some OF
the economical aspects Of the results of
the war. Business conditions through
out the country were improving, he
said He did not share the apprehen-
sions of those who believed that a
long time will be required for the re-
Mobilization of the industries Of the
warning nations. He believed the time
would come at no distant day when a
decisive victory would make one or the
other OF the nations ready to accept
the mediation Of neutral countries.
Laws Delay a Hardship.
August Belmont submitted the an
nual report of the Workmen's Compen-
sation Department. He said that
greater uniformity in workmen's COM
pensation laws in the various states
was needed. He pointed out that there
was much complaint in regard TO the
law in this state because of the delay
in administering the act, which brings
up the question, 'Do the benefits which
the man finally receives Offset the de-
lay in getting the money!"
Miss Maude Wetmore submitted a re-
port on the work of the woman's de-
partment and its various branches, and
William X. Wilcox spoke on the
growth of the employers welfare work.
Ex-Governor Stubs of Kansas, who
VS. to have taken the affirmative in
regard to government ownership OF
railroads, was unable to be present.
Ex-senator J. W. Sullivan, former
chairman Of the Federation of Labor,
took his place. Jonathan Bourne, jr.,
Of Oregon, had the negative. Congress-
man David j. Lewis and DR.. Frederick
c. Howe, Commissioner OF lmmigra-
ton, presented the affirmative sides of
the question, as IL related to telegraph