The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-11
RAILROAD LAWS.
Joseph L. BristOw's Important
Speech at Newton.
Stands by the Policy of Presi-
dent Roosevelt.
is ONE OF TWO THINGS.
Continuation of Conditions or
Government Ownership.
Unless ROOsevelt's Plans Prevail
in the Next Congress.

At the Republican banquet held at
Newton Friday night, J. L. Bristow,
editor of the Salina Journal, made a
noteworthy speech on the railroad rate
situation. The subject of his address
was President Roosevelt's Rate Making
Policy
Mr.. Bristow said:
We live in an unusual age. Those
things which to our fathers would have
been undreamed of luxuries are to US
necessities. The ordinary Kansas farm
er boy at the age of fifteen has a better
education and more general information
than had a majority of the members Of
the British parliament in the days of
George First. The wage earners in our
cities enjoy luxuries that were not with
in the reach of the European nobility
100 years ago MarVSIous changes nave
been wrought not only IN our manner
of living, but in our methods of bust
ness. We cross the Atlantic in five
days, the Poetic in ten and encircle the
globe in few weeks. We talk with
each other across the continent and COM
municate with China or India in few
hours. From the commercial stand
point the geography Of the earth has
shrunk to insignificant dimensions while
in enterprise and achievement 1t has
grown to colossal proportions. We have
CONQUERED the earth, promise to over
point of view have practically annihilat-
ed time and space. AS a result of our
scientific achievements and unparalleled
industrial progress we are confronted
with new and unprecedented social and
economic problems, the solution OF Whlch
will require the best thought Of our
ablest statesmen and economists.
Foremost Question in the Public Mind.
The foremost question in the public
mind today is that relating to trans
portation For over 1000 years one Of
the most important and imperative du-
ties of organized government was the
construction and maintenance of ade-
quate public highways. Efficient menas
Of comparatively rapid communication
from the seat Of government to the
distant parts Of the realm were essen
tial. Throughout all the ages every ma
ton that has made progress in the
arts of civilization has at public ex-
pense constructed extensive highways
not only for the use Of the government
but for the benefit of commerce. Ihe
rivers and seas have always been an
omen highway for the use of mankind
so that until very modern times great
cities grew only where there was easy
access to the sea. From these cities
into the fertile regins OF the interior It
has been the policy of CIVILIZED govern
ments to build systems Of highways. In
addition to these highways where it
was possible. canals were constructed.
The policy Of constructing canals and
highways for the public good by the
government is as old as civilized SO
ciety.
A New Force Utilized.
But during the last century a new
force has been utilized in the trans
portatiOn Of man and his products that
has gradually superseded all others and
opened up vast and illimitable oppor-
tunities for the development Of the lat
emf wealth of the world The railway