The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-30
a WORD ABOUT RATES.


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A WORD ABOUT RATES.
There has already been considerable
discussion concerning the railroad
question in Kansas. and there will be
still more as the campaign progresses.
But unless there is an objectice point
in the discussion nothing will be ac-
complished in the interest of the peo-
pie. but Kansas will continue to pay
exorbitant freight rates both on
things shipped out and things shipped
in. For the farmer. like Jones, pays
the freight When he sells his wheat
he receives the Kansas City price less
the freight and the profit of the local
dealer, so that the freight comes out
of the price of his wheat He has
nothing to say about it. When he
buys pillow he pays the price at Mo-
line. ILL.,, or some other factory. plus
the freight to Kansas. so that he pays
the freight in that instance also and
has nothing to say about it either.
Kansas cannot regulate freight
rates outside the state. but it is with
the rates within the state. between the
Missouri river and the local stations,
Kansas is chiefly concerned at pres
ent.
About the best plan for the reguIa-
ton of freight charges seems to be to
have a board of railroad commission
ers that Will be conscientious enough
to look after the interests of the peo-
pie and still be just with the railroads.
and then give the board power to ad-
just rates and enforce its orders.
That is the kind of a law that is in
force in Iowa and the rates in that
state are said to be just about half
what they are in Kansas, and condi-
tons are similar in the two states.
Indiscriminate abuse of railroads
and railroad officials will never bring
lower freights rates in Kansas. A
railroad is a purely business PROPOSE
ton. Its principal owner very likely
lives in New York. He knows nothing
of conditions in Kansas except such as
are shown by the balance sheet of his
road. He cares little how much his
road or his employees are abused so
long as the financial returns show up
as he wants them to. He employees
men who he believes can get these
financial returns, and unless they can
show results they lose their jobs.
Hence the men in charge of the traf-
fic department charge just as high
freight rates as they think the traffic
restrain them the traffic will generally
stand enough to give a generous
profit. The operating department
wants to make a showing on running
the road at a small expense, and poor
service is given in order to cut down
operating expenses.
A railroad attorney recently made
the statement that the legal depart
ments of the railroads are constantly
having trouble with the operating and
traffic departments over unjust rates
and poor service. OF course this is
not admitted above a whisper, for one
of the duties of the legal departments
is to help the other departments make
and save money.
Human nature is the same in rail-
road men as in other people. There
are high minded, conscientious men |
among them who believe in doing |
what is right and just. and there are
those who will take everything out of
the public they can get. even if they
have to violate a law to do it-pro- |
vided they do not get caught. Others
are half way between-men who will
obey the law but who will take what
is coming their way, in the interest of
their employers. if there is no law to |
PAGNSAl H. I<dGAA IL ICSpOnSlOlS
to the one above him and not to any
law, and he acts accordingly and be-
Heves he is doing his duty.
That is why railroads need to be
regulated by law. The man who is
really responsible is far off and does
not understand local conditions. The
man who does understand conditions
must answer to the man that is far
off. If he has a law which says he |
can go SO far and no farther he can |
give it to his employer for the re-
turns he makes
That is the kind of a law that is |
needed in Kansas, and the people |
should give the men they elect to the |
legislature to understand that that is
what they want
The other important thing is to
elect a board of railroad commission
ers that will be governed by the in
terests of the people and not con-
trolled by the railroad interests. A !
good many voters believe at least one |
of the Republican candidates belongs
to the railroads The opposition to |
the Republicans may nominate the 4
same kind of men. but that remains |
to be seen. The commercial interests /
of the state are taking an interest in
this matter outside of politics, and the |
recommendations of those interests |
are pretty safe for the average voter |
to follow.