Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-04-14

creased subsidy. The truth cannot
long be suppressed The masses of the
| people may be imposed upon for time,
but even the shrewdest rogue will
eventually be compelled to surrender.
In time even rather unsophisticated
| voters learned to place true estimate
| upon the motives of the editors whose
policy, as one of them expressed it in
the authors presence, was controlled
by the counting ROOM"
Railroad politicians gradually lost
their influence, and the symptoms of
public discomfort greatly increased. In
the political campaign of 1887 state
control of railroads became one of the
main issues. Both of the great politic-
al parties in their platforms had de-
clared themselves very emphatically in
favor of such legislation as would
bring railroad corporations under COM
plete state control and with very few
exceptions the legislative districts had
nominated only such men as candidates
for legislative offices as were known
to be in thorough accord with the
masses of the people upon the railroad
question.
THE election resulted In an even
more complete defeat of the railroad
forces than had been generally antici-
pated Yet no hasty step was taken
when the general assembly convened.
A large number of bills contemplating
railroad reform in various ways We're
introduced, but the material presented
was carefully sifted by the railroad
committees and a committee bill was
lit tod f1n
features of them all. The committees
listened patiently for weeks to the ar
guments of the representatives of both
the railroads and the shippers
Never before had so formidable
railroad lobby assembled at the state
capital. The danger signal had been
raised, and not only were the great
political manipulators of the state
called into requisition, but experts
from adjoining states Joined them IN
beseiging the legislature. The dogs OF
war were let loose from all quarters.
A legion of hirelings were Jealous TO
show their servility and loyalty TO
their lords. The daily and weekly pa
uers of the state in the service or the
railroad companies teemed with argu-
ments from the pens of railroad at
tornevs. and their columns were pro-
fnsely supplemented with editorials
con,ed from prominent corporation pa
ners like the New York Tribune, New
yorlr Times. New York World, Albany
Eyenine Argus, Boston Advertiser, anu
ethars fron, various parts Of the coun-
try. a;s-
"These papers, attempting 10 u
cruise the motives that prompted ~, :,
to come to the defense OF the "ai
street interests, affected the posl,loh VI
disinterested and Impartial opselVeis.
Thev condemned the proposed meas
IRE as wild and soc1allstlc anu my
nainted in dark colors the disasters "
railroad property, the lnJustice W ~
owners. and misfortune OF the peopie
Of Iowa. that would follow their adop-
tion. Especially did they oeWall .i,e
1osses that would fall upon the WIZ
ows and orphans who had conndlnsty
invested all Of their hard earnings NJ
this property. They never uttered
word of commentator, but entirely ls-
nored or defended the abuses ny
which the stockholders were robbed at
one end of the line and the patrons
were imposed on at the other.
"Many Of these papers We're notineo
that their statements were altoge.hel
erroneous, but they would not ADMIT
line to their columns IN relation 70
the matter that indicated any otner
disnosition than complete subservlency
to the interests of Wall street.
..There were, however, an unusual
n,,mber of strong men in this general
assembly. and this extraordinary dls-
NAV 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 firm de-
termination to deal with 1t IN man
1er dictated by reason and expert
ence.
$50 we'll did the bill which was nm
ally adopted by the committee renect
the general sentiment of the members
of the general assembly that not
single vote was cast against 1t In elm
err house upon its final passage. Since
the adjustment Of business under TINS
law, there has been less friction pe-
tween the people and the railways
than before for thirty years land SO
satisfactory has it proved to all that
no one. not even a railroad man, has
to this day asked the legislature to
repeal the law or any part of it. The
act contains no new principle of rail-
road control BY far the greater part
of its provisions were taken from the
old law. Nearly every one of it's feat
ures may be found either in the inter-
state commerce act or upon the statute
hooks Of other states.