The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1906-06-16

the public. in spite OF the fact that
readers Of the daily newspapers who
have followed the disclosures connected
with the insurance Investigations are
prepared nowadays for almost any dis
closures. Ii Is also true that many
shippers believed that Irregularities
existed. but when one traffic official
after another went upon the stand be-
fore the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion and admitted that he had received
large emoluments in either cash OF
stocks from companies having business
relations with the Pennsylvania rail
road, and when the very close connec
tion between the bribed officials and
the generous shippers was disclosed.
there were. indeed, few who were
not startled Not only was il shown
that numerous railway officials were
enjoying large incomes from funds
presented to them or from stock for
which they paid little or nothing, but
also that there had been unjust dis
elimination in favor OF the shippers
who were responsible for the graft. IL
was clearly apparent. not only that
some shippers suffered by this corrupt
arrangement. but also that the stock
holders OF the Pennsylvania railroad
were deprived Of income in very much
the sams way IA the stockholders OF a
street railroad company suffer when
conductor knocks down fares. In
some cases the acceptance OF gratuities
had tegun years ago, and an attempt
was made TO excuse the abominsble
practice on account Of its age. This
excuse will not, however. be accepted
either by the public or by the stock
holders. and il is encouraging to know
that the directors have decided to have
an investigation to determine the ex-
tent Of the corruption and 70 punish
the offenders The fact that this in
vestigaton il 70 be made behind closed
doors does not give assurance that IL
will be all that could BE- desired but
the result will 81 awaited with interest
in the nope that there will be a
thorough wedding out Of All who have
been implicated in crooked practices
II some quarters fear has been exs
pressed that the recent revelations ~
irregularities It'll the business world
might Affect prevailing prosperity
There Il however little danger u
this result even If other large COM
pane. should Ia involved but L IL
wers certain that trade should -uter
for time that fac, would not excuse
any official 81 any corporation from
doing hi. full duty % any public
official from enforcing the laws e the
limit
Business II u1w being iuterfsred
with to a much greater extent than l.
generally recognized 81 unjust dis
elimination Of railroads A gentleman
Of our acquaintance said few days
ago that recently he had an opportuni-
ty to purchase blast furnace in east
ern Pennsylvania. Il was he said, an
unusual opportunity, promising pro-
fitable returns, but he realized that II
he made the purchase he would be- at
the mercy OF the Pennsylvania railroad
which would either make or break
him For this reason he was not will
ing to take the great risk and refrain
ed from making the purchase. II il is
true that public Office Is a public
trust, IL il equally true that corpor-
ate Office involves solemn obligations.
not only to those directly concerned,
but to the public IA well
No business success can be Freeman
emit unless conducted IN the spirit OF
fairness and with absolute honesty.
Hence, good business policy. as well
M sound public policy, demands that
all that Is corrupt be discovered and
removed The ultimate result will be-
TO place business on higher plane and
give all men greater confidence in the
mighty corporations which are requir
ed to carry on modern business We
trust that the Pennsylvania railroad
will come out of this ordeal purified
and equipped for still greater useful
ness. and that the same will he true Of
all other corporations which may be
investigated Iron Trade Review
s75 90 70 the Pacific Coast and Return
From Chicago Correspondingly
Low Round Trip Rates From
Other Points
Via the Chicago, Union Pacific *
North. Western Line daily. June 10
Sept 30 TO San Francisco, Los Angeles
Portland. seattle and Tacoma and
other Pacific Coast points Very low
rates TO Helena Butte Spokane, Ogden
and salt Lake City Daily and per.
sonally conducted excursions in Pull
man tourist sleeping cars % San Fran
cisco. Los Angeles and Portland.
through without change Double berth
only 3; 00 from Chicago and 81 - from
Omaha. Choice 81 routes For rates,
tickets etc, apply 10 agents Chicago
a North Western Ry.