Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-26
DAVIS LOSES HIS ANTE.
President Ripley Called His Bluff and
Davis Will Quit the
Gnme.

The New York Herald of the 23d inst.
says:
Talk is cheap. but it takes money to run
a railroad. This is the conclusion arrived
at by former Congressman John Davis, of
Kansas, and other Populist agitators of the
woolly West. who were recently forced to
meet a remarkable proposition from Z.
F. Ripley. president of the Atchison, To-
peka & Santa Fe railroad company. Mr..
Ripley offered to lease Mr.. Davis a train
for a year at actual cost of operation, in
order that he might demonstrate the FEAST
bility of his cherished theory of public
ownership and control of railroads. After
much figuring and Il general consultation
with his political associates. Mr.. Davis has
decided not to attempt to put the theory
into practical operation. The proposition
has. therefore, been declined.
Several months ago Mr.. Davis wrote an
article on government ownership and CON-
troll of railroads for a Kansas paper. 1t
fell under the eye of President Ripley, and
he replied to it. This called forth an an
swer from Mr.. Davis, and the two men
have been engaged in a wordy war over the
railroad question ever since. Mr.. Davis
had the Populist theory figured out to a
nicety-on paper. He is skilled in the art
of juggling figures. His ability along this
line took him out of a dingy country news
paper office and landed him in congress on
the wave of Populism. In his controversy
with President Ripley. Mr.. Davis had fig
ured it ell out how the Atchison could re-
duce its rate one-half and still make a rea-
sonable return OH the capital invested.
This was more than President Ripley
could stand. and he resolved to give Davis
an opportunity of demonstrating his asser-
tons. He published an official proposition
to the effect that the Santa Fe road was
at the disposal of Mr.. Davis, his party or
any responsible company or syndicate to
he named for proof of theories or settle
ment of agitation. He was willing to let
Mr.. Davis or anybody else who pleased
carry out his theories and get all the profit
from it.
ITO show that we are in earnest said
Mr.. Ripley. the Santa Fe road will lease
10 Mr.. Davis. if he can assure us of his re-
sponsibility, or to any other responsible
person, party. syndicate or company in the
state of Kansas, Il train to run from any
point il Kansas on our lines to any other
point every day in the year at "a rental of
81 a mile The parties renting the train
shall receive all fares. They will only
have to pay us $40 each way If the train
runs ten miles. or Sl0O each way if the train
runs 100 miles. They can make the passen-
ger rate SO low that everybody will travel,
or they can do with it as they please.
This offer is not made as a bluff. but is
a serious business proposition. If il is a fact
that somebody else can make more money
out of the passenger service on the Santa
Fe road than we can by charging lower
rates We are entirely willing that they
SHOULD make it. l shall be very glad TO
have this offer taken Up.
The proposition was a sumner for Mr..
Davis. He had not expected anything like
this. While ne understood the railroad bus
mess thoroughly, it was only on paper and
for political purposes. However, he re-
sorted to his old practice. figuring. He also
held several conferences with his political
associates. 1t SO happened that the Popu-
lists We're holding a state conference at
Topeka when the proposition was made.
The matter was taken up and discussed by
the conference. Many were in favor of ac-
&c pting the offer and attempting to demon
strate TO the world the feasibility and wis
dom of the pet plank in the Populist plat
form-government control of the railroads.
Governor Leedy, however, poured cold
water on such action by advising the con-
ference not to attempt TO carry the bluff
any further. He told them that Ripley had
called them and caught them with a
poor hand upon which TO make n bluff
that while the government ownership and
control issue was an attractive thing fo-
political purposes. it would not stand a
practical test. 1t was accordingly voted to
let the matter drop.
All the trains on the Atchison are still
being operated by the company. They will
continue TO be during the remainder of the
year. Mr.. Davis has not accepted Mr.. Rip
ley's proposition. He never will. He was
obliged to put up or shut up He chose
the latter.