Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-03-16
THURSDAY, MARCH 10. 1905.
HARMFUL RESULTS.

Extensions In WlScOnbln unIl Lne pOpuih
temper becomes more friendly. The build
ing OF new lines IL TO be stopped, orders FOL
new equipment are TO be Cancelled, projected
improvements that would cost millions d
dollars are TO be stayed, This decision will
stop, 10 IL stated, fully $4,000, 600 worth o.
improvements which the Northwestern and
50. Paul roads had purposed making during
1908. This course has not been taken In .
retaliDtory spirit, 10 Is stated, but purely as q
business proposition. There Ia also u feeling
that there Is lack OF appreciation on the part
OF the public for what the railroads have
done TO develop the resources OF the state
Unless public sentiment changes develop
msnt work also will be mnlmized In short
the railroads purpose doing Az little ms they
can for the Wisconsin public no long as the
Wisconsin public Is trying TO do what IL can
to iDjure the railroads"
The above Is the substance OF Inn
portant news matter which recently
appeared In all OF the great dailies OF
the northwest. II IL worthy OF the
thoughtful consideration OF every
citizen OF Wisconsin. The railway
rate agitators promptly meet this re-
port by saying "Ohl, that's only a
Bluff Now take little thought be-
fore you give this pert retort much
weight. Imagine yourself In the place
OF manager Of u public service cor
poration, with even few thousands
Of dollars, not to say few millions,
to invest In extensions and improve
ments. Would you not take thought
OF tho public temper,-@of the likelihood
or unliklihood OF adverse legislation?
Would you be unmlndful Of whether
the people were represented in leglsla-
tive and executive positions by rea-
sonable or unreasonable men I? You
would not be blind TO the great act at
Madison last week. Thus ran the en-
CINE propelling the ship OF state:
Governor La Toilette sat on her safe
ty valve, and, with her furnace stuffed
with prejudice and passion, Colonel
Bryan, In all his glory, vigorously
fired up with explosive hot air; while
q great multitude, including legistors,
vociferously applauded. Remember,
that this occurred nj the capital of the
solid, conservative state Of Wisconsin.
A few years ago we heard n great
deal in regard to the potency OF conf
dence. We submit that present con-
ditlons are not conducive to confd-
ence. Public opinion well settled In
calmness and reason, Is rightly the
common law Of the land but public
opinion which Is the outcome OF UNI
wise and inllammatory agitation Is
akin to mob rule.
In tho matter OF railway rates all
good citizens want them to be just and
reasonable. TO that end let us have
only just and reasonable legislation.
There Is good reason to believe that
the law makers Of Wisconsin will
make " great mistake II they follow
the advice of Colonel Bryan and Gov.
ernor l.a Toilette and provide for mn
appointive railway commission with
initiative power to fix rates. Texas
and Iowa have such commissions;
but the rates In those states are not us
reasonable as the rates In Wisconsin.
Tho following article from the Dcs
Moines Daily Capital tends very
strongly to show that rate fixing by Il
state commission has not promoted
the public welfare In Iowa.
"Tho people OF Iowa realize that they hay,
grcat state aud they AFRO proud OF 1t, hui
they are asking themselves why manufnc'
turing industries, according 20 the census o
1000, Increased in II greater proportion II
Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri than In goo,
old Iowa, Iowa has great coal lolds--in fac
IN the sixth state In the union In the produc
tlon OF bitumlnous coal In some parts o
the state oak and hickory wood suitable fo
wagon timber abound In all parts corr
and potatoes are produced, aud corn and pc
tatoes mako starch. In NIL parts OF the stat,
sweet corn, tomatoes, peas, beans, pumpkins
squushos, and everything going To make NJ
canned goods are grown In abundance
"The soil is especially adapted To CROWNS
oats for oatmeal, likewise II viii produc,
broom corn OF the best quality. MILK Il
already II great product and there Is room
for condensed milk factories. Hogs and cat
tic are tho we'll known staples, but packing
houses are few; In fact, fewer than they were
ten years ago. With nll these raw materials
NJ hand, why has Iowa moi grown in manu-
featuring industrIesG The Capital Is FREQ I,
say that we believe the fault Is with tn
Iowa railroad law and Its ironhCund cnudl
lions. There has been no reduction Of inter
state rates To and from Iowa points In lively
years, not since the present Iowa rllroa'
law was enHctrd
Not u single new industry has been bull
up Ia Iowa on account Of the present law
No ono industry has hecu especially favore
and developed, excepting tho Wholesale gro
Gerry trade, which appears TO have cspeclall
ilourlshed. What is TO be done under thos
circumstances What can be done for tn
upbuildIng OF Iowa industries, Iowa factor
les, and Iowa packing honsesY There mus
he some loosening up OF railroad matters +
allow factories and packing houses To b
taken care OF, There will be no particula
development under present condition,
Numerous packing houses ana other indus
trial establishments are standing idle In var
ious parts of the state Others have bee
removed to Illinois and other neighhorin
states.
"They have not gone To Chicago The
have not been swallowed UP by the grea