The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-25

There is, of course, some danger of
demagoguery in connection the rail-
road rate agitation that is now occu-
plying the public mind. Some extrem-
lists, if they were afforded the oppor-
tunity. might injure the real interests
of the railroads and thereby also in
jure the public Some politicians may
attempt to take advantage of the agi-
tatiOn to make political capital for
themselves without knowing or caring
about the real interests at stake.
These things are to be guarded
against And it is only such dishon-
est or extreme agitators that the really
honest railroad official fears. There is
no reason why railroad man who
knows himself to be right should fear
legislation directed only against dis
honest and unjust practices.
There should be. and is, no disDosi-
ton on the part of the people general
ly to injure any legitimate railroad in
trests. 1t is only when the railroads
are making a legitimate profit on the
capital invested in them that they can
afford to give the public good. service.
and the public is most assuredly will
ing to pay for good service.
To protect the railroads against any
extreme measures is incidentally a part
of President Roosevelt's programme,
which he has repeatedly pointed out.
Unless some sane and just step is ia
ken towards remedying the injustice
and extortion now practiced, the time
viii come when the people will demand
some such extreme step as government
ownership. If the accumulation of ire
mendous fortunes by such dishonest
means as rebates. discrimination and
stOekjObbing continues when hard
times come again there viii be such an
outcry against wealth and wealthy
men that extreme and harsh measures
will be taken, and. the poor win not
distinguish between wealth honestly
acquired and that which has been
gained by dishonesty.
Therefore injustice to any legitimate
railroad interests is far removed from
the presidents rate regulation pro-
gramme. Instead he proposes to protect
the railroads against extreme measures.
It is difficult to see why honest rail-
road magnates should object to the
presidents plan if they will be protect
ed from extremists and demagogues.
The president proposes to have a COM
mission or body of experts who shall
determine the fairness of a disputed
rate. He does not say that this shall
be the interstate commerce commission,
but leaves that to be determined by
congress. That commission could do
the work as well as any, provided, of
course, it were made up of the right
kind of men. 1t should be composed of
the best rate experts the country af-
fords, and that is what it viii be if
| Theodore Roosevelt names it. It should
be selected with all the care of a Uni
TOD
1 be made up of men of as great integ-
! rity and responsibility as the justices CT
/ that tribunal.
! With such a body as that to deter
mine what is a Just rate the railroads
would certainly suffer no injustice. The
/ problem would be not only one of do
ing away with rebates to individuals
and CORPORATIONS, but it would be the
! larger one of abOlishing Determinations
/ between communities.
For instance: The Kansas wheat belt
today pays 145b to Is cents a hundred
to ship wheat to Kansas City. Kansas
City ships the same wheat back
through the wheat belt over the Santa
Fe and Rock island railroads to Gal
/ weston for II cents a hundred. yet If
the wheat belt tries to ship direct to
| Galveston it has to pay BOZ cents, al
/ though nearly 400 miles Of hauling to
Kansas City and back is saved. If the
railroads attempt to do the fair thing
by placing the wheat belt on an equal
ity with Kansas City, Kansas City
threatens a boycott against the roads,
and this club forces the roads to dis
eliminate in favor of Kansas City, and
thus make Kansas pay tribute 20 the
city at the mouth of the KaF.
There can be no legitimate defense
for this action. Either the Kansas CITY
rate to Galveston is too low, or the
wheat belt rate is too high. or both. At
any rate they should be edualized. The
railroads are unable to help them
selves, but a government commission
could make just rate which a boycott
could not affect.
This is only a single striking iIlustra-
ton of unjust rates that need correct