The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-29
HARR|SON'S SPEECH OUTLINED THE NEW ATTITUDE ID ROADS Southern's President Made Strong Appeal to Wilson
 for Action MANUFACTURERS IN
 LINE WITH PLANS New Railroad Legislation Is Felt to Be Absolutely Essential to the
 Proper Development and
 Encouragement
By HOLLAND

New York, May S.-(Special)-On the night of December 10, 1914, Fairfax Har- rison, president of the Southern Rail road company, spoke to the members of the Railway Business association. It was the occasion of the annual dinner in New York of thls representative body ot American manufacturers whose commod- lties find their chief purchasers among the railroad companles of the United states The association in no other way has any relation to railway managers or railway owners. It Is, however vitaliy interested in the prosperity of the rail- road because the managers of the rail- way companies are the chief customers Of it's members.
 MT Harrison, in his exordium, said:
 In developing the principles winch now control railway transportation m the tinted States, We, as people, have travelled far in recent years'' This was the text of an address which is now re- sarded as having done more, perhaps, than any other individual effort to stimu- late public sentiment in favor of such legislation as will secure wise, adequate ana healthfully stimua.,ng regulation of the railroad companies of the United States.
 one suggestion reserved by MT. liar ilson for his peroration identifies the oeglnnlns Of the agitation which is now reflected in the adoption by the federal senate of joint resolution for the ap- poil'tment of subcommittee which is to make thorough investigation of the entire subject of railroad regulation and to learn, II possible, if there are defects Tn present methods, what these defects are and then to make recommendation to congress for legislation which will cure then
 That resolution is now before the 1ouse of Representatives and although ie may not De acted upon at this session or Congress it will probably be adopted next winter.
 MT. Harrison appealed directly and ear- nesty to the President of the United states to make such recommendation to Cohsress as Will lead to legislation whereby the transportation system of the United States will be put upon an as sufed foundation of efficiency, useful ness and success" MT. Harrison felt all the more free to make this appeal to fresldent Wilson because he never met the Ffesldent, and, therefore, had no personal acquaintance or relations with him.
 It was spoken of at the time as highly significant that suggestions of this kind should come from a citizen of the south
 
 those who represented fully the deter mined opposition to what is called inc ctntralization of power, which was a fundamental principle of that national Party with which the Harrison family or virginia was long associated
 Presldent Wilson is understood to have been greatly interested in the appea inaue to hlm by MT Harrison. and aIter careful consideration of the sub Ject earnestly recommended the adoption of joint resolution for the annointr,ant Of subcommittee whose duty if wo1ld De thoroughly to study the entire subject Of railroad regulation.
 It IS possible that the public does not fuliy realize how far this agitation has gone or what powerful influences have been created with intent to persuade the country and Congress that regulation, in oroer to be satisfactory requires new leg iSla tjOn -0o