Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1915-07-28
RAILROADS AND PERNIcIOus LEGISLATION

conducted the campaigns for the repeal or the Fun.
Crew laws in those States, has to the conclusion
that the railroads should organize protect hemselves
against the enactment OF Vicious legislation and al the
time lend their aid and influence in the passage
of proper laws It proposed that the railroads form
permanent organization TO be known the Depart
ment Of Public Policy and Relations" Along lines
adopted in the recent campaign against the Fun-crew
laws, that department will represent the railroads in
matters Of public interest and in such other respects
may be deemed proper
In making that recommendation the committee SAYS
that the results Of the campaign prove conousively
that the railroads should take active measures to iden
tfy themselves in a proper manner with matters OF
public interest II asserts that they should not become
active In political affairs, but they should organize TO
protect themselves against the enactment of vicious
legislation and, al the time lend their aid and in
huence in the passage proper laws This will protect
not only the railroads, IT but the public WELL
which suffers from the financial burdens imposed by
il-adysed legislation. The committee adds:
The foundation for move Of this kind has now been
laid The conviction is strong that campaign
went far towards establishing firm and proper IN
derstandng between the railroads their great body Of
employees and the public. The interests Of all are close
ly inter-reated Their association is so intimate that
there are no hard and fast dividing lines The public
has not always realized this possibly railroad OFF,
GERS have not appreciated It they should The op-
porunity for correcting this condition is now presented
me people nave ucuOnsUdeu that when properly in
formed, they will support the railroads when their
is just They awakening to the fact that Vi
cous legislation enacted against railroads reacts on
themselves
"The railroads should press forward Tor what is right
and proper. They should do this courageously and
without apology, for none is necessary They should
be equally careful not to ask for assistance in obtain
ing anything which they are not fairly entitled they
should proceed in the open depend upon frank pub
licty as their greatest protection Fair and honest
propositions thrive through puboity-unfair and dis
honest propositions are destroyed by publicity
I'm the opinion of your committee there should be
permanent organization created which could be known
as the Department of Public Policy and Relations
to represent the railroads matters of public inter
est and in such other respects may deemed proper
along the lines adopted by this committee in the re-
cep campaign The creation of this organization should
be made known to the public at the start and the pur-
poses for which IL established specified
If the formation Of general organization Of this
kind is approved by the railroads interested it WILL Of
course be to create similar local organize
ton each railroad TO assist in carrying on the work
outlined by the officer in charge Of the Department Of
Public Policy and Relations.
Your committee strongly recommends that prompt
action be taken looking towards the creation of this
general organization and similar supporting organiza-
tons the railroads interested The details WILL OF
course, have TO be worked out later
"As indication Of the necessity action along
the lines suggested your committee desires to call at
tenton to the creation by the four brotherhood
organizations comprising employees in the train service
OF committee known as the Joint National Legsla-
tive Board to represent the organization in egsla-
tive matters and similar local committees are being
formed at many points Il is. therefore, not only fair
but essential that the railroads should likewise organ
lie, only broader and more comprehensive lines
THE railroads in addition should do everything con
sstent proper friendly and intimate
through which they operate by broadening their many
business connections and by giving greater attention
TO matters of local interest They SHOULD also keep
their local representatives and officers in intimate
touch with their security holders residing local ter
ritory.
I'm making the foregoing recommendations. your
committee is not unmindul of the efforts made in the
past to handle matters such suggest be handled
in the future by the proposed Department of Public
Policy and Relations"
It perhaps is unnecessary to warn the railroad ON
Gals that IL such department be organized is Of
paramount importance that It be composed of men who
will conduct It with such high-minded circumepection
that it viii not TO be regarded as Joint railway
lobby. and converted into shining target for dema
gogues and CONSEQUENCES politicians whose stoc-in
trade is warfare against public service corporations
a Department OF Public Policy and Relations wisely
administered. doubtless will prove splendid thing for
both the railroads and the public. II be- how
ever ntelligenty organized and openly and hon
estly administered that II will be above Just suspicion
and proof against attack and investigation Otherwise
will be for the companies than is the present
unsatisfactory form of organization and activity to
produce desired and, in many instances highly com
mendabe results
BY citing blockade precedents established by this
country during the Civil War, Great Britain her note
defending blockade against Germany has given the
officials CT state Department something which
TO null. The answer TO the American was drawn
by Sir Edward Grey He regarded one of the fore
most authorities international law and one Of the
abest' OF British statesmen His defense
mcconnell establishing the blockade is understood TO
be able paper and courteous its tone that
/ in has