Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-05-11
Senator Edge Speaker
Before Rotary Club
Senator Defends Business
Would Halt Spread of Gov
ernment Interference

United States Senator Walter Z.
Edge was the principal speaker at
The Ladies Night event staged by
the local Rotary Club at the Pack er
House on Smith street last night.
The attendance numbered about one
hundred which included the MEM
hers OF the club and the ladies.
The address of United States
Senator Edge in which he took a
firm stand against government by
the ninorities and too much govern
ment interference in business, was
a feature of the evening.
The evenings program started
with the serving of All excellent menu
by the Packer House management
and during the dinner Rotary songs
were sung. AT each place there was
a noisemaking instrument to help en-
liven the evening.
Retiring President Aylin Pierson
presided over the gathering during
the early part of the evening and he
told in a humorous way of various
happenings of the club. After din
ner United States Senator Edge, a
fellow Rotarian of Atlantic City, was
introduced. He was followed by re-
firing District Governor Lion l..
Woodward. of Trenton, and Newly
Elected District Governor Charles
Merton of the Rutherford Rotary
Club was the next speaker. Both
men spoke on the principles of Ro-
tary and dwelt on the motto of the
club, "He profits most who serves
best"
AT the close of the speaking pro-
gram a great deal of fun was had
over the presentation of a gift to
i Q1rr
Frederick Niedermeyer. one of the
directors of the local club, asked for
the privilege of the Aoor and after
a pleasing introduction, announced
that a costly oriental vase had been
secured as a gift for the retiring
president
Jim Force was asked to bring for
ward the gift and just as he reached
the table at which the retiring pres
ident was seated, he stumbled and
the paskage containing the vase
fell to the floor with crash.
Before the guests had time to re-
cover from the CONSERVATION, news
boys rushed into the room crying
extra" each boy carrying a bundle
of the Evening News. A special edi
tion had been printed for this oc-
casion to give an account of the loss
of this priceless art treasure and the
guests were startled to find full
account of the accident which had
just happened, in print and being
distributed by the boys. The stunt
went off well after which the re-
tiring president was presented with
a Rotary watch charm suitably en-
graved. Following this presentation
the floor was cleared for dancing.
Senator Edge in his address
sharply attacked organized minori-
ties working in the interest of spe-
cial groups of classes" charging
cert; in elements in congress with a
determination to turn the govern
ment over to socialism.
Defending the business men of the
country as mot naturally or by
choice or design criminally inclin-
ed" the senator renewed his advo-
cacy of a federal tribunal with suf-
ficien- authority to advise legitimate
business organizations on the applj-
cation of laws touching trade prac-
tices.
THE time has arrived" said Mr..
Edge, ito rescue the government
from the organized minorities work
ing in the interests of special groups
or classes. The time has also ar
rived to halt the tendency to gov
ernInental interference in every ac-
tivity of life.
when one reads of contemplated
activities of certain elements or fac
tions in congress there is little rea-
son to wonder or marvel at the eX-
listing era of lawlessness and rapidly
waning respect for law or govern
meht. The policy of some men in
authority today seems to resolve it
self down to determination that
the government will not only regu-
lat, all business activities but that
it will in addition either contiscate
or participate in them.
"There is very determined eff
fort, led by able and resourceful
men, to turn this country over 10
what all of us would considered
twenty years ago an absolute social
istic form of government. They will
not be satisfied until the railroads
are owned and operated by the gov
ernment; until all public utilities
and commodities in general use are
likewise administered from Wash
ington.'
The senator said he believed thor
oughly in regulation, but in warning
against "over-regulation" by the
government, expressed the view that
there is already plenty Of law to take
care of the real offenders against
society" and probably too much law.
With the statement that he hoped
never ito live to see the day when
the growing business concerns of the
country are operated by the govern
ment," Mr.. Edge warned that "the
bug" of government ownership and
operation of the railroads, notwith-
standing the experience of the war.
"is growing again and right il the
next congress will be seen deternlin-
ed moves leading in this direction"
"I claim that it is the duty of con- |
gress to clothe some federal tribunal |
with sufficient authority so that legi-
innate business organizations in this !
country can apply to Washington for |
definitions and interpretations of ex-
listing law and thus be enabled strict |
ly to obey the law. Certainly II
should not be the policy of the gov
ernment or its desire to hale business |
men into court. 1t should be the |
policy of the government to keep the
on,yIo .,,,f 1f frn,rble