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Show SHARP ATTACK ON CQRPOIJATIONS Justice Gaynor Delivers Red-Kot Red-Kot Address to Civic Federation. Fed-eration. New York. SAYS FRANCHISES SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN AWAY August Belmont in Reply Defends De-fends Organized Capital in Business. NEW YORIv. May 21. At a dinner tonight to-night by the New York Civic federation, to tio members of the Investigating committee com-mittee of the Federation on Municipal Ownership, on the cvo of their departuro for Europe. Superior Court Justlco "William "Wil-liam J. Oaynor mado an attack on corporations, cor-porations, to which August Belmont, who was also a guest at the dinner, mado a spirited reply. ; Judgo Gaynor paid: Tax on the People. "In this day great franchises represent nothing but perpetual (ax on tho people of the community. A franchise is granted grant-ed for 110 years. Nino years I? moro reasonable rea-sonable than 0S9 nt this tlmo in the history his-tory of tho country. Certain rights aro granted to great corporations under tho high-sounding name of public farnchlses which aro nothing more than gifts. Thso gifts are bonded, stocked, doubled up und continued for many years, a lax upon the people. , - Shocks Moral Sense. "Even in this prosenco I ay the action of these corporations Is somothing dishonest dis-honest enough to shock the moral sense of tho God-fearing peoplo of this community. com-munity. . , ".Last week, In Washington, we had that great debato on tho railroad as a, system. If tho railroads bo taken as an example, we shall have beforo us for our consideration somo startling facte. "Tho horriblo orlmcs of tho corporations corpora-tions havo como to bo understood by the people. The people realize that great utilities aro not being operated for tho public wealth, but for tho aggrandizement aggrandize-ment of ono man, which Is the reverse or public sentiment and public demand. "Corporations havo taken private property, prop-erty, which can only bo taken poEHesslon of upon tho assumption that certain rights arc to revort to tho owners of that property, when, in .fact, they are providing provid-ing no return to tho people. Must Destroy Favoritism. "Wo have recently had explained to us how a certain man or certain Intorcst can carry freight from ono section of the country to anothor for one-half of what other men havo to pay. Suppose a man with ono hundred head of cattlo had boon allowod to pass througli a toll gate by paying one-half of what his neighbor had to pay. AVhat do you suppose the pooplo at that time would havo dono7 "Why, they would havo torn down tho toll gate, and utlmatoly wc will tear down tho railroads, rail-roads, destroy thorn peaceably if we can, forclblv If wo must." Mr. "Belmont said in response: Belmont Is Worked TJp. "I went to repudiate in tho most unqualified un-qualified terms the insinuation that I manage or thnt my associates manage those corporations In any other spirit than that of honest or of correct purpose, pur-pose, or with any purpose other than that of complying with every loiter of tho law. I think that every corporation and that every corporation manager is entitled to bo heard in court first, an 3 that his action shall be tested alter the verdict of tho court and not before. You know to what I refer, and therefore It will not bo necessary for mo to repent it, and I am sorry that I have to mako this statement." Seemed to Be AngTy. When Mr. Belmont had concluded his retort to what Justice Gaynor had to say ho turned, and looking the Justice in the face, struck the table a blow with his hard which caused the china to rattle. rat-tle. Continuing, Mr. Belmont said: Not Special Interests. "So anxious was this organization that tho report of the commission shoul 1 bs absolutely Impartial that it took every step to free the commission from any rosslble enibarrassmont to the federation other thrn that It should lean upon that body for Its expenses, The federation has chosen their own committee, and. whatever the results may bo, their work will bear no handmark of any special Interests, and least of all, has thcro been made nny effort to create Miy argument against municipal ownership owner-ship of public facilities, as has been intimated in-timated here tonight Glad He Was There. "I wanted to be here tonight because It baa been insinuated by those who desired de-sired lo discredit this commission that it had another purpose in view. Keallz-ing Keallz-ing that tho subject beforo the peoplo was one that was going to be discussed cn the stump during our political campaigns cam-paigns r.nd vitally concern the two elements ele-ments which the federation Is trying to bring together, tho federation thought It .should, if possible, obtain for the public a textbook on municipal ownership, l knew that that would probably be paid to you. but from the lact that I am the representative of a large traction company, com-pany, I thought that I would like to tea you myself, because it has nothing -whatever to do with myself. Wants to Bo Right. ' "At the meeting of the commission I said that if the result of this investigation investiga-tion furnished an argument for the ac-qu!sltlo ac-qu!sltlo t by tho municipalities ot the properties which I have been elected to manage, thnt that would not deter me. On the contrary, as a citizen, 1 welcome a correct interpretation of this subj-jct. ' |