Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-24
F NANCE WAIT J.
FOR RAILROAD
RATE BOOST
Progress Ahead if Commission
Will Allow Quick Advance,
Declares Forbes.
Ry q. c. FORBES.


Are we about to enter troubled
seas, or does smoother water lie
ahead?
We are on the eve of important de-
velopments 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 signal recovery.
But the head of 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 them?
II have been asked this, and have
heard significant hints on the sub
ject."
The Commissioners were of course.
Republican nominees, but l refuse to
believe that any one of them is ami
mated by decentralization, anti
Democratic motives. / have, indeed.
very good reason for believing that
the Commission has the highest re-
gard for President Wilson's Ideas and
policies, and that it would cooperate
with rather than antagonize him.
My 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 it will
not be wholly unfavorable to the rail-
roads Is now accepted as certainty.
Washington's intentions have been
better than its performances. 1t 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 ridic-
ulous
President Wilson, I learn, realizes
this He is now particularly anxious
to avoid indorsing any measure cali
culated TO upset the country's BUSH
ness equilibrium. The antitrust
Five Brothers" have been found sad
Iy wanting as every thinking man Of
affairs clearly saw the moment they
appeared. President Wilson is bent
upon pulling every unnecessary tooth
from these bills. He wants only COM
mon-s sense, really helpful legislation,
not vengeful, destructive laws that
woul precipitate chaos in an effort to
reach big Business.
The Stock Exchange will also will
be modified.
had the privilege of entertaining
Senator owen when he was In New
York. On the strength Of a fairly
intimate friendship with him. | felt
entitled to talk with perfect freedom.
We discussed the Stock Exchange
bill, of course, and l found him
ready to consider objections to the
measure as now drawn. | particu-
Iarly emphasized that Americans
would not submit to tampering with
their mail, that freedom of communi-
cation is as involate as freedom OF
speech, and that other methods
would have to be devised for reach
ing INSCRIPTIONS financial manipu-
lators and promoters. A more feasi-
BILE plan was discussed, and it may
prove the best available solution.
But It was the general situation
and the gravity of the railroad posi-
ton that ] took occasion to impress
upon his mind
Senator owen Is not hot-head lie
is not a revolutionist. He is. not
corporation batter. Neither Is he a
sycophant, a kow-tower to High FL
nance.
This little anecdote will picture the
man:
MADE hts 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
as we turned toward the Woolworth
Building.
"The product Of five-and ten cent
stores" | replied.
you see what that means, don't
you?" he commented. Service
service to the people. TO all the peo-
pie, in both cases. That was what
set myself as my aim when | entered
political life. 1t is the only road to
success"
The Senator. incidentally, has got a
good deal further than the average
politician.