The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-07-26
CRISIS
Due For Railroads Unless Laws are
Different Many Organizations are
Considering Propositions by
Which the Desired Legal
Relief Can 30 Secured
Money Markets
Closed.

New York, July 24-On the same day
when Frank Trumbull, Judge Robert
S. Lovett and Alfred p. Thorn were
in consultation with President Wilson
the subject being the railway situa-
tion--the National Electrical Contrac-
tors Association met in it's fifteenth
annual convention in New York City.
Neither the committee of railroad men
nor the members of this association
knew in all probability that there was
subject common to both of them
which was under discussion at the
White House at Washington, and also
at the meeting of the electrical con-
tractors
The conscience well illustrated the
nationwide agitation in favor of a
change in the methods of regulating
the railroads. The agitation began
two or three years ago. Railway exc
cutives were convinced that unless
there could be some change it would
be improbable for the railway COM
panies to approach the money markets
with the intent to seek fresh capital.
Other Industries Interested
Various associations took up the agi
tation. First among them was the
Railway Business Association. This
through its membership,
represent substantially the entire
country. It is not an organization of
railroad men, for none is a member of
it. 1t represents American industries
which are occupied with manufactur-
ing various commodities of which the
railways stand In need.
OF course, If the railways do not
prosper these industries suffer more
Or less, and it was from pardonably
selfish point of view that this associa- |
ton took up the agitation in favor
ing the railways of the United States
The President of this association, Geo. |
A Post, has devoted much Of his time
10 this work, and the association it.
self has been for some time almost |
occupied with it. At the
annual meeting of the association in
his city it was learned that every
was in favor OF some change
,r modification of the laws, state and
rational, relating to railway control
md regulations.
Railways Facing u Crisis
Various trade organizations took up |
he agitation year or two ago. There
has been no dissent from the opinion
that the railways of the United States
are facing a crisis, the danger of which !
can only be removed by change in the
avs relating to railway control and
regulation. II has been observed that
hone of these associations objects to
regulation, but all of them warmly ia
1or IT, But what is desired is regula-
ion Of the right kind.
Two years ago an association. whose
are prominent railway exc
,utives of the United States, was or
anized solely for the purpose of car
wing on agitation of this kind. be-
ieving that If the public be we'll in
ormed respecting the situation then
opinion will become SO strong that
congress will be compelled to heed it.
The association is purely voluntary,
here are no salaried officers except
ng Secretary. The President of the
ssoclation is Frank Trumbull, who
esteemed very highly for his
achievements as a railway manager
dr. Trumbull possesses great breadth
II view, as some of his addresses in
he past have clearly shown, and Is
lassed among the business statesmen
II the United States He is now occu-