The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-05-12
Der ENDORSES COMMERCE CHAM
:. RAISE IN FREIGHT CHARGES

| agcr: Earl Stimson. chief engineer Of
! maint enance; II. 4. Lane. chiaf engineer
| of constructions; II, II. Marsh: general
freight agent OF West virginia }. N, n;
| West Virginia district. and Z. V. Smith,
superintendent of Pittsburgh district:
The party was met at the depot by
the traffic committee Of the Chamber
man, and escorted to the Fort Henry
| club. where an informal reception took
place. Among those who greeted Mr..
Willard at tho club were; W. II. Hig-
K EoFas%e Il l. woi MvS % H. Df HsbSt, W
{. Woods. c. W. Henry, A. c. Stifel.
William G. stifel, AZ y. oxtoby. II; H.
House. W. b. Irvine. J. W. Ewing. W. f.
| Stone. II. p. Corcoran. !. J. Holloway.
| D. A. Burt, n. p. Whitaker and l. NJ.
| Scott.
After the reception Mr.. Willard was
| at once escorted to the Chamber of
! Commerce hall and his appearance was
! the occasion of hearty outburst Of
hand Clapping.
Judge Ewing then made brief but
happy Introduction address in which he
: stated that Mr., willard was about to
! address those present on one of the most
road rates. Mr.. willard. he stated. was
! the best qualified man on Garth to speak
| on the subject on account Of his expert
ence and ability and his opinions arc
given the highest consideration every
where.
we. of Wheeling. know that Mr.. Will
! lard Is Interested, not only in the pro-
gress Of our city. but also in the hap
so let me introduce the youngest look
| ing and the handsomest railr9ad presi-
! dent l have ever met"
President Willard was somewhat un-
prepared for this introduction. but he
! rallied and commenced the address. He
is a very rapid speaker, his enunctation
IL crisp and clear and not word was
lost by his auditors. In fact. the min
utcs passed as seconds, while he spoke.
Facts and figures flew from his lips
as a stream of missiles from. rapid fire
gun and he seemed to have the finances
Or the railroad world in his brain.
SPOKE In the Clear
AT the outset he objected to standing
behind the table and walked arouna to
If / was in pulpit" he explainSa.
! speak to his audience as business men
and explain to them why the increase
OF rates should go into cHect. He
wished 10 explain what the railroads
were asking for and instruct the 'puolc
In matter on which 1t might be
trlhe haZy.
Congress. he stated. had placed the
Interstate Commerce Commission as its
/ agent to see mat Inc people arc kNeu
adequate TRANSPORTATION faeilitteg both
IN passenger and freight lines. aud TO
sec that the railroads get an adequate
return. that Is n fair net income on
!. fair valuation of their properties
The commission. he stated, did not
know the value of the railroad proper
| ties. that IL. has no definite idea OF the
| valuations.
! that one half of the railroads Of the
| world are in this country, and that
when oneNspraks Of valuations or TINS
| property. he is forced to speak in Dill
| ions. And although Il person can TAX
| OF billions, the sum is hard for'the MIMI
| 10 grasp And the valuation and the ihs
! come must 'be fixed upon these pllllons
I OF dollars.
Government oantrol.
| He also spoke Of the governmental or.
! Grafton Of the roads during the period
| Of tWenty-Six months. during which only
rs many locomotives and freight carr