New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-09
Lines Must Be Freed OF
Burden, He Tells Com
MERGE Meeting.
S5O.OOO,OO0 GRANT
URGED FOR SHIPS
Merchant Marine Necessary TO
Defence, Chamber Report
Holds.

Washington, Feb. s.-Demsnds OF
railroad employees for higher wages anc
the general tendency toward the eight
hour work day were deprecated as
checks upon the development OF indus
try by Howard Elliott. Chairman Of the
Bosrd Of the New York, New Haven <
Hartford Railroad, in a speech tonight
hafore the Chamber Of Commerce OF
the United States. lie said such de-
mands as those recently made by the
four great organizations Of railroad
men were but steps in a process which
~ continued. would raise the cost o.
living 20 lew heights and finally result
IN conditions much more TO the dlsad-
vantage Of labor than Of capital.
Mr.. Eriott's speech came at the close
81 the first day of the national cnam-
ser's fourth annual convention, whieh
i. being attended by delegates from
very state i'm the union. John H.
Fahey. % Boston, the president, sd-
dressed the opening session this morn
ING. appealing TO business men 10 DO
tome constructive thinking ana 10 De
come less partisan in dealing with gres'
economic questions.
report from the merchant marine
committee condemning certain feature
Of the ship purchase bill pendlng "a
Co,cress started a lively discussion
duvinp the afternoon. Chairman VIII
lam II. Douglas asserted the commit
tees belief that it would be unwise 70
mace two Cabinet officers, as oontem,
piated. on the proposed Shipping Board
and characterized the proposal to have
the government spend S50,OOO,OOO as IN
adequate.
Not Afraid Of Subsidy.
"Our peoplc are not afraid OF the
uo,d subsidy or "subvention. and
they recorded themselves as absolutely
IN favor of the adoption Of this methoo
~ bringing about results wished en-
rb,.icallv declared Mr.. Douglas.
5president Wilson recently toured the
West In the interest Of national pre-
nare6ness. lie went out. ] might say
With the idea Of getting the approval
Of the people OF programme GAZING
for the construction Of two bstueships
a year and returned, after hearing the
voice Of the people. advocating the
largest navy in the world.
"Were President Wilson again TO 60
before the people on the subject OF
merchant marine he would find not
onlv unanimous approval Of the gov
eminent granting subsidies 70 the e&-
tent Of $50 100000 or more for the pur-
nose Of building up the merchant ma
rine, but the willingness OF private
cspital TO invest TO the extent OF s0oo,,
oOt.OO0 or more for the same purpose.
The nearly 100 delegates who at
tended the opening session applauoed
the remarks OF John II. Fahey presl-
dent OF the chamber, that national oe'
fence and preparedness" was upper
most IN the minds OF American people
to-day. The statement that q specisi
committee of the chamber would re-
port on Thursday afternoon on the suo5
,ect OF national defence also elected
o storm Of applause.
While the Tariff Commission came in
for considerable discussion the great
est interest centred in national defence,
the merchant marine and the railroads.
Railroads Necessary to Defence
Howard Elliott also echoed concern
for defence, especially as 1t related TO
the railroads.
"Many thoughtful men in the United
States are filled with anxiety over the
future, now that this country, whether
IL wishes to or not, Is being forced into
the position of world power and com
PEELED TO take its part in international
affairs 10 greater extent than ever
before" said Mr.. Elliott
at appears 70 be harder and harder
10 follow Wsshington'e sdvice TO be-
ware Of entangling alliances, As a
natural consequence preparedness Ia
discussed on all sides. There are sew
ersl kinds Of preparedness. All Of our
industries must be prepared our
young men must be prepared-lsbor
must must be prepared-cRpitsl must
be prepsred-our army and navy must
be prepared, the government itself
must be prepared-and, last but not
least, our railways must be prepared.
I'm time Of profound peace in this
country, the railways are congested and
cannot carry satisfactorily the total
present condition II the added burden
OF war we're thrown upon them7 Many
industries would have to stop because
the railways first duty would be TO
handle the men and material incident
20 war.
Railway preparedness Is. therefore.
vital sine qua non for adequate
National preparedness
Need a Billion Yearly.
In order to meet the demands Of
pesee-to prepare the railways for the
peaceful needs Of industry the most
general estimate is that the railways
should spend for increased facilities at
least 100000 600 a year for several
years 20 come In making these prepa-
ranons due regard should be paid TO
the part the railways would play In
case Of war. They should be more than
prepared. They should be able 20
handle an abnormal business with as
much smoothness and as little loss of
time rs prevail under ordinary condi-
tons.
Such preparation can only be
brought about by broad minded pol
icy IN railway regulation. II the rail
N,.ns -