Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-02-15
RAILROAD RECEIPTS.
CONTINUED from Page ~.

employing 6,0CO,O0O people VINO receive
annually about S3,000,000000, produc-
ing goods to the value of $4,000, 00O,-
600, which IS "a per cent of the entire
production of manufactured goods in
the world. The gross receipts of rail-
roads is less than one-sixth of the to-
tai output of the manufacturing estab.
lishments annually
The amount of money now in cir
culation is abou. $2,S60,000,000. The
gross receipts of the railroads for
about fifteen r.onths or their net earn.
ings for two ind one-half years would
absorb every dollar in circulation.
The annual gross receipts of the rail-
roads is equal to the annual increase
in value of the property Of the United
States
according to the federal census
there are engaged in agricultural pur-
suits about 100000 people and the
farm property is valued at about $780,
000,000,0000. According to the latest
reports the number of persons engag
ed in railroading is about / ,296000 and
the value of railroad property is not
more than .$7,000,000,O
Value Of Farm Products.
The val1e of the corn, wheat, oats,
sugar cane, dairy and poultry pro-
ducts for the last year amounted to
$4,1S0000,000. The gross receipts of
the railroads for about two years
equals this vast sum. Seven men, are
employed on the farm to one on the
railroads; So invested in agriculture
for every dollar invested in railroads,
yet the gross receipts of the railroads
fc fN 1o1 So Il
value of all the agricultural products
of the United States in the year Of i'm
paralleled agricultural prosperity.
According to the figures presented
by Mr.. H asseg esS, fn mere : etaal bona flde
Nalues L. lis marer1 properties OF ~,
United States IS $4,000, 900 900; lite ].
other $6,700,000,0 900 is included in va.
rious items, a considerable portion of
which Mr. Haugen says is wind, wa
ter and printers ink. Therefore, he
figures that the railroad companies
really make a profit Of about Is per
cent on the actual money invested in
them.
Mr. Haugen took the view that the
claim that the placing of the power to
fix rates in the hands of commits.
sion would result in reduction OF
wages Of employees, is absurd On the
contrary he believes the chances are
that the men would be better paid and
that their interests would be as safe
in the hands Of the commission, indi
rectly, as with the railroads.
Opposes Increased Salaries.
Mr.. Haugen vigorously opposed in
creasing the salaries of the commits
sion from $500 to $4,000 and in
creasing the number from to Z.
On this point he said: "Why in
crease the membership and salaries OF
the interstate. commerce commission:
venture the assertion that Uncle
Sam now has among his thousands OF
employees more than hundred mer
working at a salary of less than hall
of what these commissioners are now
paid, any five of whom are capable oil
doing the work of this commission
AS stated by President Stickney the
making Of rate schedules is the func
ton of clerks and not high-priced traf
tic managers or directors
Some fourteen years ago the Iowa
legislature created railroad commits
sion consisting of three members un
largest part of the time occupied in
! hearing the protests of the railroad
companies, fixed rates for that state
Illinois did the same. A schedule OF
rates was made by the commissioners
covering two great states having more
functions and competitive points thar
any other equal area in the world
which has been satisfactory without
change for more than fourteen consec
utive years.
The Iowa Commission.
1.-THE whole work of the Iowa com
mission was practically completed ii
q very few months relieving it from
official duties and enabling the mem
bers to remain at their homes and di
rect and attend to their own business
affairs leaving the office, duties to {
clerk. In fact the commission has
had SO little to do that the Iowa legis
lature reduced their salaries from SO,
600 to S2.200; and it has been suggest
ed that if the amount of salary is tt
be considered in connection with the
amount of work it would be safe to re
duce it another thousand dollars ant
that they would then b. paid more pei
hour for the hours given to the worl
than members of congress and I be
lieve it would be safe to say,more thar
the President of the United States.
do not bring this up to reflect on tn.
commission But they are men, be
lieve of ability, energy and integrity
But / bring it up to show that tn,
work is not there and to show tina
neither eXperts nor high-priced mel
are required"
Mr.. Haugen said no man took NOR,
pride in our great railroads, thei
splendid equipment and service, thar