, 1883-06-16

An khIe Diagnosis q the Raiiresa 0ses-
tion. Respectfully Submitted for the
guminafion Of 0uF BasineSs Nen-

There are few questions Of more vital iin'
nor,apee 10 an intsIIor town, than the sub
iect of railroads, and none thst is probably
so thoroughly misunderstood, especially
among the merchants Why this is so. It is
hard to tell, yet it is generally the Case
when two parties become absorbed In con-
versat:on over this matter. they do not take
even ratioual views, but go at it in head
strong way, jumping at conclusions, and the
sum and substance of their talk Will be that
they Will finally wind by by cursirg the
railroads aud wish that they had never had
one. Now railroads are built to make as
much money as possible for the stockholders
and if it is conceded that this is the controli-
ing policy Of the road, every effort will ne
made to accomplish that end.
1t is often argued that railroad COMPANIES
make their own towns, and We are at their
mercy, which Is true IN q measure, but you
admi. that they must have the cooperation
of town and its business men to do this
succesefully; and then on the other hand the
fact that many towns make themselves, "a
often overlooked. 1t is unreasonable to think
that railroad company have preference
for one or two sites, when the profits from
carrying goods to and from both are the
same. These towns DONG the same amount
Of business are entitled to the same conven'
fences and advantages IN shipping. which
the railroads are bound to respect II the
merchants here in Wslla Walls are active in
this matter, and show themselves as a city
to be anxious to secure any advantages. or to
become shipping point there is no question
about the success OF such departure, but 1t
will require the unitei efforts OF every busi-
ness man. Eudeavor to increase the traffic
on the railroads, and the sum total OF all the
goods from each house shipped to different
parts Of the country will be q surprise. and
an agreeable one, to say the least
You will then have interests IN common
with the railroads, who viii see that this m
crease of business is ALI increase OF profit al
so. and taking up the tirst ides, that rail
roads are built to make money, why Is 1t
not most probable idea, that they would
foster that new condition of things, and
make every effort to accommodate 1t. 1t
railrcsd company is not proof against COM
petition, even though it may enjoy monol.
" of the traffic to-day, in the territory
through which it passes, and 1t may be
shown in a number Of instances, where an.
other comp any has quietly entered the field
of opposition to it when least expected.
Recognizing this TO be inevitable and N face
of these possibilities all railroad companies
see the importance OF pursuing liberal pol
icy inasmuch as they are common carriers
for the people. and they do do it to a GER
tain extent. Now, in support of the theory
ution OF different lines Of goods, let US turn
our attention for moment 10 the expert
ence of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, LOW one Of the
most prosperous cities in that state, ii not in
the west. She is enjoying the advantages
Of being commercial center, and whole
sale manufacturing point, though only 90
miles ives. OF Chicago, but seven or eight
years ago she was comparatively in her in.
fancy. How did she thrive as a supply
point, being so near the "hub' Of the west
Mainly by the combined efforts of enterpris-
ing business men. To-day they have an es-
tablished trade, and increased railroad facili-
ties, which is the natural order OF things,
and would be most certainly in the case OF
Walla Walla if prompt and decisive action
was taken in all matters pertaining TO this
question. OBSERvEg.