The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-31

most important, in many respects, OF
any Offices in the state. that of rail-
road commissioner; and the consider
alton Of a new railroad law in place
of the one now on the statute book.
For the first time in the history of
the state at this next election the
electors Will have the privilege of
voting for three candidates who for
two years viii constitute the board of
railroad commissioners.
while I believe I fully represent
the opinion of this body, when 1 state
that they deem. the law now in force
utterly Inadequate for the purpose 1t
was supposed to be enacted, the reg
ulation and control of the railroads,
even under the present law, weak as
it is, with board of commissioners
free from railroad and corporate in
huence, intelligent and Independent,
great good can be accomplished even
under this law.
LAS has been stated by the most
eminent national authority the
United States Industrial commission,
The efficiency of all control and regu-
latiOn through commissions must
ultimately rest upon the man. 1t is
the power that lies behind the throne,
that vftalizes the machine A railway
commissioner in a state embracing
some of the most important railway
systems of the country not long ago
made the statement, that in the office
now occupied by him little was done
except the gathering of statistics and
the giving of useless advice. This
last statement is to a great degree the
record of our railroad board in Kan
sas. He also pointed in detail how the
efficiency of that particular office had
varied very much with the incum-
bency of the different type of men
holding the Office.
Having finally secured the election
of commissioners by the people, one
of the great objects of the federation
is to see that we do not now lose the
fruits of victory by the nomination
and election of railroad candidates for
these offices. In addition to an inn
partial, intelligent and independent
board of commissioners, a new rail-
road law is absolutely required, other
wise is our labor vain. It is general
ly, and you might even add gener-
Ously admitted, that our present law
enacted in 1901 as far as any real
power inherent in it to regulate the
railroads or their rates is concerned
is a failure. This law of ours is what
is termed and classified as an adV1S-
DRY railroad law as distinguished
from a regulatiVe law. The railway
attorneys claim it carries no power to
regulate rates and the best legal au-
thOritieS outside cOncede the cOnten-
ton made by the railways is correct
While personally I am well satisfied
that the only real and eventual settle
ment of the railway question is gov
eminent ownership, as I have noted
past have succeeded in regulating the
regulators and controlling the control
lers, nevertheless, I concede much can
be accomplished by good strong
strong, fair and impartial men as
commissioners to enforce it.
t'The greatest question before the people
of Kansas in this campaign is the enact
ment of a railroad law, which shall COM
bine the best features of the railroad laws
of illinois, Iowa Nebraska and Texas,
will 10 qd q
law passed in 1869, since adopted by Min
nesota and Texas and other states, pre-
venting stock watering and over cap1tal1-
alton. I understand the draft of such q
law will be submitted to this convention.
regulatiXe railroad laws, why cannot TINS
state? We hear great deal OF late re
Election law It is probably a good thing.
but the farmers and shippers of this state
would be better pleased if the same dis
the primary law. would also start an az
itatIop for a new railway law.
what the farmers and other producers
want and have just cause for demanding
is a radical reform in the laws applying
to corporations, and especially to rail-
roads In order to obtain this we must
drop for the present time difference OF
opinion on all minor political matters and
make proper railroad legislation a state
issue in the next general election.
The people of this state regardless OF
party should demand the enactment OF a
new railroad law in order that the glar-
ing determinations and inequalities be-
Shippers
freight rates between competing markets
and trade centers in this state may be
abolished or minimiZed, that all sections
of the state may be assured of reasona-
BILE and stable freight rates which shall
also at the same time afford fair and rea-
sonable returns upon the capital invested.
1t is a mistaken idea that this associa-
ton any of its members are actuated
by any feeling of hostility against the
railroads: we desire to be fair and gem
erous to them and merely ask them to be
fair and just with their patrons, the peo-
.'The Industrial development of this
great state, enormous as it is, is only IN
its infancy. One great writer, Richard T.
Ely, 20 years ago most aptly ana truth
fully stated that transportation is the
economic basis of modern production and
also that the railway problem is the
problem of legitimate business enterprise, "
and again the railway problem Is the
problem of the management and develop
sources
How greatly has the industrial and eco
monte history Of the state and nation
since then emphasized these fundamental
The railway problem in reality is the
problem of problems. All other queS-
lions, no matter how weighty or impor-
tant, sink into insignificance compared
with the proper management and control
of practically our only means Of travel
and transportation, the railways.
what the people of Kansas demand IS
not the Gripping or conflScat1on of : he
railroads by hostile legislation, but, that
| they shall be conducted in such a manner,
that they shall become as was originally
intended they should be, a basis OF eco
nomic life, upon which each one IN any
part of the broad land can with confidence
1 locate and devote himself to the construc-
ton of his own fortune and thus IN all It's
! fullness work out our great destiny as a
! state and nation
TO THE NATIONS DEAD.