The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-11-15
SUPPORT OF TRUSTS.
Railroads So Styled by Master
of the National Grange.

Springfield, O., Nov. 15-At II o'clock
today the thirty-third annual session OF
the National Grange convened in this
city with Master Aaron Jones of South
Bend, Ind, in the chair. Twenty-six
states are represented, the delegates
from which together with those re-
naming from the state Grange meet
ing and other visitors place the total
attendance at 800 in the city. The
Grange began business at once and af-
ter the roll call a committee on Gre
dentials was appointed. The commit
tee in order of business has announced
there Will be three sessions daily, morn
ing, afternoon and evening.
While the committees were engaged
in their deliberations Master Jones call
ed on Jaben Robinson. master of the
Dominion Grange of Canada for re-
marks and Mr.. Robinson took up the
morning session, bringing greetings and
reviewing the work of the year in the
Dominion. The event of the afternoon
session was the annual address of Mas
ter Aaron Jones, which together with
reports of the committees occupied
the time.
This evening the state Grange which
closes its annual session here today will
welcome the national body
Grand Master Jones began his an
nual address by ngratulating the
Garage on the prosperous condition of
the order. He said the Grange favored
national and state laws controlling
subject of transportation he said:
Transportation is one of the most
important interests in our country, and
the just and equitable adjustment of
charges for freight and passengers is of
utmost concern to private and public
welfare. There was in the United States
184.482 miles of railway June 80, 1897.
valued at $40 635, 0S8, 074 The earnings
of the railways in the United States
for the year ending June so, 1897, as re-
ported 81, 122, 0S9 sos.
This vast system of railways was
built by authority of franchises grant
ed by the United States and the several
states. In the case of the Northern and
Central Pacific railway, large donations
Of land and the loan of the nations
credit was also given. and in many 9TH
er cases large donations We're made by
cities, townships and counties. The
franchises gave these corporations pow
er to condemn private lands to pass
through farms, villages and cities de-
strOying homes in country and in cities
at prices fixed by diSintereSted apprais-
ers. virtually by the state. This power
was granted to them on the broad
principle that these highways were nee
essary for the public welfare. Under
our advanced civilization this is true
but it is also true that, private and
public welfare demands that these
roads be 50 managed as not to OPP
press the people or make discriminate
ing charges between citizens or lOcali-
ties in freight and passenger rates, but
should give to all citizens the same ser
vice for the same money, and that this
service should be reasonable and just
to shipper and carrier. When so man
aged, railways are of incalculable ad-
vantage to the entire country. Are
they, and have they been so managed?
IF the railways of the country were
properly and fairly managed, the peo-
pie would have equal opportunity to
compete for business, but as conducted.
the railways are the main support Of
trusts.
Our vast sea coast, our river navi-
cation and our great lakes have in ser
vice dOcumente and undocumented
vessels exceeding eight million tonnage.
Nearly four million of this tonnage is
in service on the Mississippi river and
its tributaries On the great chain of
lakes extending from Minnesota to
New York state sail more ships than
enter the port of Liverpool or Lon
don. More than double the freight
passes through Sault Ste Marie in eight
months than passes through the great
Suez canal in a year Last year 16S,-
O00. 600 tons of freight passed through
Sault Ste Marie. Our cOastwise traffic
is of the same gigantic proportions It
has been demonstrated that water
transportation is much cheaper than
by rail On long distances freight can
be carried by steam for one-quarter,
and by sail for one-seventh the coast
by rail. In view Of these facts should
not our order favor the Improvement Of