The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1914-09-11
WILLING TO LEND IN
FLUENcE HE POSSESSES,
SAYS PRESIDENT
HE AIDS HEARTILY
There Is Imperative Need That
Railway Credits Be Sustained
Say Railroad>Men
by Associated Praaal

by Associated Presa)
Washington, Sept. 10.-President
wilson responded today to the request
OF several railroad executives that he
call to the attention of the country
the imperative need that railway
credits he sustained and that the
roads be helped wherever feasible BY
government agencies or by private CO.
operative effort.
The president outlined his views
for the country In q letter to Frank
Trumbull, chairman of the Chesa-
peake & Ohio board, who acted as
spokesman for the railr0ad presidents
who saw NJ. WILSON "Wednesday.
Discussing his action with callers
today. the president said he was
greatly impressed with the reason
able attitude of the railroad men. He
added that they had not displayed any
feeling of a questionable Kind nor
criticised the interstate commerce
commission.
Although he does not believe he
should advise other governmental ag-
encies which have to do with the rail-
roads as to their action. the preaident
declared he would be glad to confer
with any one who wanted to see him.
Various reports, have said the call
OF the railroad men upon the president
was preliminary to o request for an
increase In freight rates. Western
roads already are preparing such in
|creases for submission TO the inter-
Etate commerce 5ccminissiott. Under
the law the eastern soads may not
apply, within the next two years TOR
Increases on rates rscehtjy adjndi-
Gated by the com.aissiou IEaststn
lines. however, are preparing TO ef-
feet the economies the ctmmiBsion
suggested by making charges for free
services To lasge shiySsrs end 70 in-
crease their passenger fares.
President Wilson's letter to Mr..
Trumbull reflected his confliencs In
the integrity and soundness OF the
American railroads and hiR view that
they should not be the subject for agi-
tation. His letter follows:
Since you read 1t TO me yesterday,
have read again the statement you
made In behalf Of the COMMITTEES OF
railroad presidents whom had the
pleasure OF meeting and cunfefring
with at my Office. 1t Is a lucid state
ment| of plain truths
"Yon asked me to call the attention
OF the country to the imperative need
that railway credits be sustained, and
the railroads helped in every way Dos
sible, whether by private cooperative
efforts, o: by the action, wherever
feasible, OF governmental agencies;
anu am giad TO no 30. because /
think the need very real.
81 cannot say that I entertain any
deep anxiety about the matter except.
OF course. the general anxiety caused
by the unprecedented situation OF the
money markets Of the world; because
the interest OF the producer, the snip
per. the merchant, the investor, the
iinancier. and the whole public In the
proper maintenance and complete ef-
ficiency OF the railways Is too mani
fest. They are indispensable to our
whole economic life, and railway Sc
curities are at the very heart of most
Investments large and small, public
and private, by individuals and by
institutions, am confident that there
will be active and earnest co-opera-
ton in this matter, perhaps the one
common interest OF odr whole indns-
trial life.
Undoubtedly a,en both n and cut
OF official position will appreciate
what is involved and lend their aid
heartily wherever 1. ip nnasibIe for
them to lend 1t. But the emergency
Is IN fact extraordinary and whera
there is manifest a common interest
we ought all of us speak out In its be-
half, and j am glad to Join you In call.
ing attention to 1t. This Is q time for
all to stalid together in united eifort
to comprt hend every interest enti
serve and sustain 1t In every leglti-
mate way.
"The laws must speak plainly ana
effectively against whatever is wrong
or against the public interest ana
these laws must be observed: for the
rest end within the sphere OF legiti-
mate enterprise, we must all stand az
one to see Justice done and all fair
assistance rendered, and rendered un-@
grueS:a!y. {jS
: Cordially and sincerely yours. &;
Woodrow Wilson, = t5l
10y IL ~ 4faf 81 T.