Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-24
FINANCE WATTS
FOR RAILROAD
RATE BOOST
Progress Ahead if Commission
viii Allow Quick Advance,
Declares Forbes.
BY 3. c. FORBES.

BY B. G. FORBES.
Are we about to enter troubled
seas, or does smoother water lie
ahead?
We are on the eve Of important de-
Vclopments one way or the other.
Abroad trade is falling off badly.
In this country conditions are sound
at the foundation, and a truce be-
tween Washington and business
could start a signal recovery,
But The head Of a very responsible,
highly regarded investment banking
firm asked me this question:
Are the Interstate Commerce Com
missioners anxious TO keep the Dem
ocratic Administration out of hole?
Who appointed them2
II have been asked this, and have
heard significant hints on the sub
iect"
The Commissioners were. OF course,
Republican nominees, but ! refuse to
believe that any one Of them is ami
mated by anti Administration, anti
Democratic motives. ] have. indeed
very good reason for Believing that
the Commission has the highest re-
policies, and that II would cooperate
with rather than antagonize him.
NY information is that the Com
missioners have virtually reached the
conclusion that the railroads need re
lief, and need it with all possible dis
patch Their decision on the momen-
tous rate question. ] hear may be
rendered about April Is. That 1t viii
not be wholly unfavorable to the rail
roads Is now accepted as a certainty.
Nashington's intentions have been
better than its performances. II has
meant well, but has acted foolishly IN
many instances. Some proposed laws
have had good aims in view, but have
been absolutely impossible and ride
ulous.
President Wilson, ] learn, realizes
his He Is now particularly anxious
70 avoid indorsing any measure cal
,ulated to upset the countrys bust
hess equilibrium. The anti-t trust
Five Brothers" have been found sad
~ wanting, as every thinking man II
affairs clearly saw the moment they
appeared. President Wilson is bent
upon pulling every unnecessary tooth
fre5n hese bills He wants only conn
mon sense. really helpful legislation.
hot vengeful destructive laws that
Woul precipitate chaos in an effort to
coach big Business"
The Stock Exchange win also viii
be modified.
/ had the privilege OF entertaining
Senator owen when he was in New
York. on the strength OF n fairly
intimate friendship with him, / felt
entitled to talk with perfect freedom.
We discussed the Stock Exchange
bill Of course, and ! found him
ready to consider objections TO the
measure as now drawn. ] partcu-
larly emphasized that Americans
would not submit to tampering with
their~mail, that freedom OF communi-
ration is as inviolate as freedom of
speech, and that other methods
would have to be devised for reach
ing INSCRIPTIONS financial manip1-
lators and promoters. A more feasi-
Bile plan was discussed, and IL may
prove the best available solution.
But IL was the general situation
tnd the gravity OF the railroad posi-
lion that | took occasion to impress
lpun his mind.
Senator owen Is not a hot-head. He
Is not a revolutionist He is not q
corporation batter, Neither Is he a
syeophant, a kow tower to High FL
nance
This little anecdote viii picture the
nan.
Made his fortune selling good,
clean candy at a small profit per
pound ] remarked as we passed
Lofts store in city Hall square,
What building is that?' he asked
AIS we turned toward the Woodwork
Building.
The product Of e-aud-ten-cent
stores J replied.
you see what that means. don't
you ." he commented Service
service 70 the people 60 all the peo-
ole. in both cases That was what
set myself as my aim when ! entered
political life. Il is the only read to
success.
The senator incidentally, has got "a
good deal further than the average
politician.