The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-10-28

To The Editor OF The Eagle.
Is thara any nerfe-t sel7,tion of I

To The Editor OF the Eagle.
Is there any perfect solution of the
railroad problem? There is probably not
such a solution as viii give US a system
of railroad management whereby all OF
portunity for selfish, unjust discrimina-
tions are obviated aud all the evils of the
present sysf EN- of operation eliminated.
| The railroad interests have developed so
| rapidly, have reached such magnitude,
| are so closely related TO other industrial
interests and economic forces. and. there
fore, have So much 10 DO with the pros
perity of the counry that bsty action
seeking to consolidate. remodel or re-
organize should be discouraged. Tie
Importance of this questi requires de-
Liberation The evils are fully reco osnized
and their crease viewed with appre-
hension; but there is always danger In
yielding 10 the imp0rtunate demands OF
an impulsive clamor against public
wrongs; here. as elsewhere, sobgr second
thought will guide the wisest action.
The solution of this question should
have the application OF practical COM
mon sense. To tear up this great plant,
tions, and reset it with every point and
part of its system working harmoniousiy
with other property and industrial IN
terests-all scord and defective parts
pliminaied-is manifestly Impossible.
We cannot relay the foundations and
build anew, but somewhere between no
control-lree unrestricted competition,
and that privacy which individuals are
Ill
of their business affairs-and govern
ment ownership and operation of rail
roads lies the correct solution of this i'm
portant problem. We cannot reach the
desired result at one stride, but by pro-
gression. But if we cannot cure the
present mal-adj justment of the railroad
10 other economic forces with one strokt
we may remove some of the most
grievous evils separa ely or collectively as
good judgment and common sense NAV I
determine. Some of The brightest minds .
in this country are now giving TO this
subject earnest investigation, seeking for
adequate remedies and best methods, and
there is no doubt but this honest research
and diigent investigation will give Us
an improved method for the control and
operation of our railroads. Among the
things practicable is adequate provision
for governmental inspection, rigid and
of the financial condition and
acts of all railroads, and
adequate provision for the prompt and
severe punishment of all violations OF
law on the part of railroads and dis
honest acts relating TO railroad organl-
zation and operation, whether thee
dishonest acts occur i'll Legislatures,
boards OF directors. the administrations
of managers or in courts where
Justice, and not unjust in
equalities, should be sustained.
Apropos to this pont quote the follow
ing from a very interesting and compre
hensive series of articles recently pub
lished in the Independent, of New York,
On railroad topics. and these are the
words of Frederick G. Clark of Ann
Arbor:
''We are coming to believe that there
IS no absolute solution of the railroad
but that il is like a geometrical
constantly changing as the
factors change, while each step is a
separate but not permanent solution.
The most that any one can hope for in
5his problem, as in all great practical
questions of social or economic science,
5 temporary solution; truce which
will permit negotiations to be carried on
whereby q readjustment of relations
nay be secured, adequate to satisfy the
needs of our rapidly developing indus
rial society" In equip
nent, speed and all physical features of
he railroad we find this industry
n the front rank, but in its financial
management it has chung to its old gods
If secrecy and freedom from interfer-
,nce, while other industries have read
uSted themselves to new ideas of pub
ict ty and state interference Their great
strength and power to mould public SEN
linen. to their wishes and the depen-
lence of all industrial life upon them
lave thus far left the railroads to them
elves"
1T is fact beyond dispute that most
# our present railroad troubles find
heir origin behind the screens upon the !
,ages of a memorandum or ledger. The
inancia departme 1t of the railroad is ,
he hot-bed of abuses. Publicity is the
,ower, the only. power, that can reach ,
he source and eliminate the evil"
The carriage of persons and freight /
hould be IA fairly profitable business,
nd capital invested in this industry 1
hould have ample protection, but spec
lation has had SO much To do with the 5
uilding and operating of railroads that
0 many stockholders should not have
cen taken unawares in finding that
heir stock largely represented only a
ctitious value. In an artic e on Rail !
ray Bonds and Stocks" Thomas l.
ireene shows quite clearly how eternal
igilance is the price of absolute safely :
or capital as it is for good many inn /
ortant things besides liberty"
Railroad managers should be made to ,
ealize that they are amenable to our !
lws, and the recent mandatory order :
the governor of this state to the Mis- i
0uri, Kansas and Texas railroad will
ave a wholesome effect. q. S. NJ r