The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-03-05

arguments from the pens of railroad
attorneys, and their columns were
profusely supplemented with editorials
copied from prominent corporation
papers like the New York Tribune,
New York Times, New York World, Al
bany Evening Argus, Boston Adver-
tiser and others from various parts OF
the country.
''These papers, attempting to dis
guise the motives that prompted them
to come to the defense of the Wall
street interests, affected the position OF
disintrested and impartial observers.
They condemned the proposed meas
ure as wild and socialistic, and they
painted in dark cOlors the disasters
to railroad property, the injustice
to it's owners, and misfortunes to the
people of Iowa, that would follow
their adoption. Especially did they be-
wall the losses that would fall upon
the widows and orphans who had con-
fidingly invested all of their hard
earnings in this property.
They never uttered a word of con-
demna ton, but entirely ignored or de-
Tended the abuses by which the stock
holders were robbed at one end of the
line and the patrons We're imposed on
at the other.
Many Of these papers were notified
together that their statements were
altogether erroneous, but they would
not admit z line to their columns in re-
lation to the matter that indicated any
other disposition than complete sub
serviency 20 the interests Of Wall
street.
There We're, however, an unusual
number of strong men in this general
assembly, and this extraordinary dis
play of railroad forces only tended to
impress more strongly upon them the
necessity of curbing the railroad power,
and their best energies were concen-
trated upon the subject with a firm
determine, zion to deal with it in a
manner dictated by reason and expe-
rience.
so we'll cid the bill which was fl
nally adopted by the committee re-
fleet the general sentiment of the men,
bers of the general assembly that not a
single vote was cast against it in eltr>
house upon it's final passage. 49,
the adjustment of business I'M
der this law, there has been less
friction between the people and
the railroads than before for thirty
proved to all that no one, not even
railroad men, have to this day ASH ed
the Legislature to repeal the law or
any part Of it
The measure still further quotes
from Governors Larrabees work, set
ting forth the provisions Of the Iowa
law, how satisfactorily and effectively
it works and how it conserved the
property interests of the railroads.
rather than injured them. The mes
sage concludes as follows:
These extracts from the work of
Governor Larrabee are given as hav-
ing peculiar value at this time. We
Of Washington can do no better than
to follow the wise, conservative and
cautious policy here outlined. A rail-
road commission holding office during
the pleasure of the governor and re-
movable at his will, having power to
regulate railroad charges, is in line
with the best thought on this most i'm
pOrtant matter, and I am fully con-
WINGED will gradually and wisely re-
move the difficulties under which our
shippers now labor. In this way re-
spOnsibility is fixed and Immediately
this event would be held responsible
for failure. In this connection l de-
sire to say that if given the power to
appoint l shall exercise it with the sole
purpose of doing justice to all parties.
# the commission appointed by me
does not DO it's duty, a new one will
at once be named. and this policy will
be maintained to the end. | desire also
to say that | cannot be cOerced into
the appointment of unfit or irrespon
sible men 70 the office of railroad COM
missioner. even though members
should thereby refuse to vote for the
enactment # measure Of relief ur
gently demanded by their constituents.
The state of Washington has able. con
scientious and honest men, who can
be induced to serve. 1t is entitled to
the services of her best men at this
critical juncture. Anything less than
this is folly, which l do not wish to
commit. l will add that these men