Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-01-13

strongly combatted the doctrine Of free trade |
and urged the necessity of protection OF
American labor and manufactures On the
question Of railroad uansportion the govern
or took decided ground, urged remedial leg
islation, favored the power OF the railroad
commissioners, and giving to them authority
to fix rates and enforce their decisions Inc
question Of Prohibition was briefly referred
to.
No such vigorous arraignment OF the al
legged extortions of railways ever before en-
anated from an Iowa executive. AFTER re-
viewing the cases that lead TO the granger
legislation of 1874, and the influences that
were brought to bear TO secure Its repeal, tine
governor said that the charges for transpor-
tation at present prevailing in the state are
by far too high, and bear little or no relation
to the cost Of the service, Although steel rails
can now be purchased for one-third OF the
price paid for the iron rails that were laid
upon roads built fifteOn years ago, and en-
gines cars, and coal have deprecated In
value in nearly the same proportion, local
freight and passenger rates nave not ue-
creased to any perceptible degree. But rail-
road managers aver that the interest PAID
on their bonded Indebtedness and the
| dividends earned by their stock are
not excessive, The Indebtedness or
| road, however, is no indication OF the
N'-NN~-
dication Of the actual present value OF the
road, The railroads of Iowa have received
| as donations from various sources value OF
| over $50, O00, COO The tracts of lands granted
| to them by counties municipalities, and pri-
yate individuals, aggregatefan area equal to
| one-eighth of the total area of the state. The
amount of money actually invested in Iowa
| roads by stockholders and bondholders prob
| ably does not average TO exceed Sl5, 900 per
| 10 M ~ n a
| which are annually distributed among them
would be fair profit ON twice the amount
which they have actually Invested.
1The mon who control our railroads, Gov
ernor Larrabee said, "labor under serious
delusion, inasmuch as they entertain an ex-
argerated opinion of the obligations under
which they have placed the public. They at
tribute to themselves the unparalleled mate
rial progress the country has made, and
claim the wealth which by their agency mas
been accumulated as their reward. They
reason that they are entitled to the value OF
the difference between various places in the
pri oea of commodities because they furnish
| the means for making the exchange. 1t APP
pears to me that this argument If carried 10
its logical result, would transfer the title to
| a large share of their income TO the heirs OF
Mr.. Watt, the inventor of the steam engine.
A similar reason would also give MIR. NC
Cormick all the profits of the reapsrs, and to
Whitney those of the cotton gin. Owners
of railroads are no more entitled to perpet-
nal ROYALTY than inventors. For perhaps
es long as similar privileges are enjoyed by
natantees railroads should be allowed liberal
returns for their capital aud enterprise, ana
| il ut the end of such period it be found That
similar roads could be constructed and
eoipped at a reduced cost, then their rates OF
Transportation should he proportionately re-
reduced.
"But it is urged by railroad managers that
a reduction in their rates would necessltate .
reduction in the wages of their employees.
Such reasons might apply if those men were
now paid proper share of the receipts
That however is not the case. Railroad
4 employes receive smaller percentage OF the
total earnings of their employees than any
r workers Of other occupations They receive
a little more than one-third of the total re
ceipts of their companies, while the farmer,
). for instance gives one-half of the product Of
| his farm for its cultivation. 1t is but natur
!. al to suppose that railroads deal as unjustly
with their employees as they do with the pub
a lie, and the correction of one evil would ID
likely to ultimately result in the correction
r of the other.
!. aThe right Of the states to control rates car
n Certainly not be questioned. Corporation
/ have no rights to enforce except such a
: have been granted to them by the common
+. | wealth 1t must also be conceded that
the latter is ultimately lodged the power t.
create new corporations which would be pre-
- nared to accept the altered conditions Hall
!, road managers argue that il the state should
q undertake to establish maximum rates l
1 must also guarantee to the roads minimum
, income. This will be found to be faliaclou
% argument, when it Is considered that al
a though the state has passed laws prohibiting
usury it neither guarantees minimum rat
"a nor otherwise secures private loans"
II The governor charged the railroads Wit
Il extorting from the people of Iowa an incom
"a putable sum by determinations, which hat
A also prevented the establishment OF indus
Al tries in the state.
d After the inauguration ceremonies Lieu
tenant Governor Hull announced the senat
committees with Woolson heading the j.
dietary; Sweeney, railroads; Mccoy, lnsul
p. ance; Hutchison ways and means; Satci
"a ! appropriations. Finn, the anti-pass man
n two years ago in the house, was put on j.
la dietary.
"a Bills were introduced regulating railwa
~. freiehts and fares Both houses debated til
NJ proposition to dispense with visiting state IL
10 situations which passed the house, but wa
- postponed as special order in the senate.
:, In the evening the capitol was Brilliant
40 Illuminated, and Governor Larrabee sn
:, stafF Governor Thayer and staff, of N
70 braska assisted by Lieutenant GovernC
:. !. Hull and Speaker Rsdman, held a reception
~ which was largely attended in spite of IL
heavy snowstorm.
Now Here Comes y Wire Crust"
ut NEw YoRK Jan ia number Of vii