The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-07
Railway Journal Prints Editori-
al on 2-Cent Fare Question.
COmmends Action of President
Ripley Of Santa Fe.
ADVOCATES EDUCATION
Says Other Railway Presidents
Should Emulate Ripley.
Gossip and Matters of Interest
in Railroad Circles.

The current issue of the Railway
and Engineering Review contains an
editorial on the open letter to Kansans
given out by President Ripley of the
Santa Fe. 1t follows:
The attitude of the people at large
towards the railroads is a matter
which should greatly concern those in
charge of railway operation. The de-
gree to which this attitude will affect
railway operation and control railroad
revenue has not as yet been deter
mined. but that it will have an impor-
tant bearing can not be denied Rail-
road supervision and regulation is now
the fixed policy of this government.
Approaching this fact this journal has
for years advocated the education of
the people in railway matters. Moth
ing can be more self evident than that,
under a condition of public supervi-
sion, the better informed the people
are as to the facts in the case, the
more intelligent viii be their action
What the railroads have to fear is not
wise regulation: it is unwise and i'll
considered legislation growing out Of
ignorance and misappreh ension. Any
thing, therefore, that contributes to
better knowledge of actual conditions
tends toward the safeguarding of the
most important interest in our cOun-
try.
Through the influence of politicians
seeking public favor by attacking rail-
roads, a widespread agitation has been
engendered for a two cent a mile rail-
road fare in several states, among
which is Kansas. The Santa Fe rail-
road has upwards Of 500 miles of line
in that state, three-hfths of whlch
consists of branch lines. A reduction
of the passenger rate to the basis or
two cents per mile would therefore
seriously affect the revenues of that
company and in order that the people
of that state may not act ignOrantly IN
so important a matter. President Rip
lev of that company has addressed
them in an open letter which will be
found in our columns. He tells them
few plain facts and offers. in case
they are doubted, to establish them.
These facts are however. of much
wider application than their ADDRESS
would signify. and their publication
indicates line of policy which could
be adopted with advantage by every
railroad in the country.
This two cent fare question is JUST
now a very popular one with pollu-
clans. In support of their arguments
they quote the figures of thtckly popu-
lated districts and saleet heavy main
line trains as an example of the enor-
nous .(?) revenue resulting therefron1-
They carefully avoid all reference TO
the hundreds of trains running on
branch lines which are operated at
loss. or even to main line trains run
ming for miles through Sparseiy settled
sections without picking up a passen-
ger. Notwithstanding that the rates
of fare charged in the arid and sparse
ly settled districts are somewhat hlgh-
er, the average fare for all passengers
carried on the entire Santa Fe line IS
but trif7e over two cents per mile, and
this does not take into account any
free transportation. The two cent adj
vocate in each state has his own par
ticular claim. In Ohio he talks about
the heavy business incident to tn
/ large population (1O2 per square
mile), while the Kansas politician
claims that if Ohio gets it Kansas
should have it. carefully avoiding all
reference to the fact that his state con-
tains an average of only 8 people per
square mile; and the people. unless the
situation is explained. naturally think
they are being imposed upon.
Another point which is always ignored
by the anti-raiiroad advocate is the
right of all interests to share in the
benefit attending prosperous times
| Still using the same road for llustra-
ton, it may be remarked that admit
ting the present status of earnings Is
satisfactory, it Is by no means as YET
on a par with that of the Kansas farm
err From 1890 to 1900 the market value
| of farm property in Kansas increased
22.3 per cent during the same period thu
market value of the stock of the Santa
! F-e road which was above par in 1890
/ fell to practically nothing in 1895 ano
even up to the present time mas MOI
reached its face value. NO one denies
/ that the Kansas farmer owes his pros
perity primarily and chiefly to the rail-
4 roads: neither can any one deny tha'
/ the railroad is equally the beneficiary
of the farmer. The two must of neces-
sity 20 hand in hand, but it is the dis
of @ cpcT1lfnp benefits fC
which we refer. The Kansas farmel
has realized at the lowest estimate, ar
annual return of 10 per cent for tbs
/ last ten years, whereas, the owners o.
the railroad in question have realized
| less than pa per cent. It is such facts
as these which the Kansas citizen need:
1 to know, but which are carefully avoid
ed by those who seek to influence MIN
against the railroads.
This paper has at frequent intervals
for the past ten years advocated tht
/ Inauguration of a campaign Of education
in this line throughout the west be
cause of the failure to do this thing II
/ a systematic manner, the railroads have
! themselves largely to blame for the sen
timent which gives audience to th'
] statement of the professional advocate
There is no fairer man on earth thai
the average American citizen; neithei
is there an yone living who Is quicke
| to resent what he considers an imposf
ton Such being the case, why no
| give MIN the ldClS II Will SOot Citos
nously less to do this in a systematic
and effective way than to pay the pen
atty of adverse legislation Let on
! railroad presidents persistently emulate
/ Mr.. Ripley in presenting these facts Il
a concise, fair and frank way, ant
there will be little cause to Gear IN
lust legislation in future years.
Gray's New Title.
Carl R. Gray, vice president and gen
Francisco, has been advanced in it'll
and authority now being vice presiden