Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1905-01-12

| ulOHOpoIes W Tou US OF tue Utueutr vi
been stored by the Creator beneath ouI
soil. am inclined to waive my objection
to the socialistic phase OF this subjec,
oil refinery OF our own In our state for
the preservation of our wealth and the
protection OF our people. a respected
correspondent obiecting to this PROPOSE
ton says that every Kansan has al
ways wished that our corn might be con-
verted into beef and pork before II was
shipped, but no one thinks It would be q
good idea for the state to 60 into the
about that result" This Is plausible,
but not sound argument. The cases
are not analogous. IL trust should be-
come able to universally control the price
Of corn, and should do il to the con-
tinual detriment OF Its producers, then.
the cases would be similar. and l appre-
bend my friend can now see the fallacy
of his argument. Our producers are now
compelled to sell their crude oil entire
ly too cheap. while the consumers of
the final product are compelled to pay too
much for It. Thus, are we being ground
beneath the upper and neither mill stones
of monopoly. and the people are right
fully demanding relief.
| RAILROADS.
| No single material interest of the state
! Is OF greater Importance than the rail-
road interests. Their assessed value Is
almost equal to the assessed value OF
the p. rsonal property In the state, They
| have been powerful factors In the up
building Of Kansas. They are vital
part of our industrial system. Every
thoughtful person appreciates their i'm,
portance and every reasonable individual
recognizes their rights. No demagogic
attacks upon them in Legislative halls.
or out of them should be given sanction;
| but, while this Is true. 1t IL your duty.
on the other hand, to see that the inter-
| ests and rights of the people are protec-
ted from the cupidity of temporary man
troll of these great and necessary, cor,
porations. Railroads. while owned and
operated by private individuals are quasi
public In their character. They, are char
eminent domain they are permitted at
will to traverse the private possessions
of individuals. They sustain relation.
therefore. to the public not sustained by
cause of this relation the courts have re-
peatedly affirmed the right of the public
to control them within reasonable bounds.
Complaints are frequently heard concern.
ing the relative freight rates In this and
other states in which II Is alleged that
our shippers pay largely more than SIM
liar shippers elsewhere Determinations
between points In the state are alleged.
Complaints are also made concerning the
inadequacy of car service at certain sea-
sons of the year: the unfairness to the
shipper in compelling him to pay de-
murrage.. while the companies are not
corresponding failure to furnish cars
when needed: the negligence of the COM
panies In taking car to It's destination
after II is billed out of station. These
and other accusations come from sources
which render them worthy of considera-
tion and investigation: 1t Is your duty to
right these wrongs II they exist. Some
of them can only be righted, perhaps,
and l call your special attention to the
recommendation of President Roosevelt.
In his message to congress, concerning
the enlargement of the powers of the
Interstate Commerce commission, and
recommend that you officially request our
representatives In congress to render
every possible assistance to the crystali-
cation of the presidents suggestions into
law. l believe. also. that our own state
railroad law should be amended in sever
al particulars enlarging the authority OF
the board so as to give them more Juris-
diction in some cases and greater power
TO enforce their mandates. incidentally.
let me suggest that the power of the
board be extended to all lines operated
by electricity and to telegraph and tele-
phone companies.
TEMPERANCE.
The manufacture and sale of intoxi-
cants has long since been universally
recognized as II legitimate subject OF gov
ernmental concern because the evils
growing out of their use are universally
recognized; The growth of temperance
the most hopeful signs In this direction
in recent years Is the attitude toward
the drink habit now sustained by the
great corporations, and by businessmen
world Is now practically great tenn
perance society. and no railroad COM
pany or other corporation, no banker, no
merchant, no business man of any kind
who places a proper value upon highest
efficiency. now desires the services OF
those addicted to this habit. The tenn
perance question, therefore, is no longer |
purely moral Question-it Is great |
business problem, and If the great cor
porations and business concerns have en- |
listed on the side of temperance. not from
sentimental but from cold, commercial |
considerations. how important 1t Is that |
should maintain correct attitude on |
this subject. Prohibition has now been |
part of the organic law of this state |
for "a years and while there are honest |
differences among good people of its wis |
dom, and while II has been defective In |
operation, Its benefits must be conceded. |
The conditions are not all that good cit
liens desire everywhere in the state, but,
with all of It's defects In operation, the |
conditions are much better here than in
states sustaining different attitude to-
ward the subject. l do not believe an
equal number of people can be found
anywhere more intelligent. more moral.
and freer from poverty and crime than
are the people of Kansas. Especially.
may We be pround of the young people
of the state as a class. We are raising
a high-class of citizens here. 1t is a bet
ter civilization than can be found among
the environments OF the legalized saloon.
l hope. therefore, that this legislature
will take no backward steps on this sub
ject.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
Every citizen OF the state will be graf
flied to know that the educational insti-
buttons are in a furnishing condition.
Each of the three asks additional appro-
priations to serve their great needs and
/ am sure you will deal generously with
them. No money Is better spent than
that which is expended for the equip
ment of our educational institutions.
MANUAL TRAINING SCHOOL.
The new manual training auxiliary to
the state narmal school. provided for by
the last legislature, is now In successful
operation at Pittsburg. Industrial depart
ments are becoming more and more pop
ular In the schools of the state and are
in my opinion. to become part1
Duh - In