Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-12-07

Warming was sounded that unless
there was a change in conditions and
these changes brought about through
state laws, government ownership OF
railroads would pass the speculation
stage and become reality. Not one
of the delegates urged government
ownership. be it explained parenthe-
tically, but they contented themselves
with limiting that it will eventually
become possible providing a general
reformation of railroad management
does not occur.
A fear expressed by Devers was
that when railroad legislation comes
before the legislature an attempt
will be made by the corporation to
emasculate it until the bill is robbed
of its important feaures. While the
old railroad commission never ac-
complished successfully but two
things, riding over the state on
passes and drawing salary, the speak
er contended that this was no reason
TO believe that three good, honest,
fair-minded men cannot be found In
the state to serve on the commission,
and in order that they be above temp
tation their salary should be as large
or larger than that of the governor.
Small pay and lot of glory was not
considered sufficient compensation
for capable commission, which
could do things.
ID. Il. Yoran was among the first
to advise fair Legislation. He said
that the sentiment in favor of gov
ernment ownership Is growing. and
that If the railroads wish to curb this
tide It will be necessary for them to
give the public just rates and treat
ment. AS between the railroads own
ing the people or the people owning
the railroads, he preferred the lat
ter. Samuel Connell, delegate
| from the Portland Commercial club.
contributed to the case against the
railroads by asserting that the fault
rests with Harrlman's Indifference,
and that Hartman Is not a rail-
roader, but stock jobber.
I Mr.. Hartman was handled without
gloves by several speakers. 1t was
polntedly said that his theory OF rail-
roadlng to make 1000 cars do the
work of 5000. and that instead of us
ing some of the millions of dollars
surplus which he receives from his
lines in Oregon TO furnish equipment
he spends this money and his ener-
gies in securing all possible passes
through the mountains to keep out
such possible competitors as Hill and
Gould Senator Booth contended
! that the head of the system was too
busy keeping other fellows out of
Oregon to devote much time to get
ting much out of Oregon for his own
lines. Furthermore, the railroad has
/ withdrawn timber land from the
market, declaring It too valuable TO
sell, and then has built sawmills to
compete With Is customers, using the
timber II had asserted was too valu-
able to dispose of to outsiders.
But" exclaimed the senator, eve
actually don't care what the railroad
does If the railroad will only let US
do business at any price"
! His own concern, the speaker con-
tlnued had on hand In logs and lum-
ber 70,0O0,000 feet, and the firm IS
not producing half what it can and
should. Senator Booth produced
statistics to prove that there has
been an increase of 1S per cent In
the capacity of ears. while business
has Increased 2S1 per cent. There
are $1,000 new freight cars being
built for the Hartman system, and
when these are delivered the Will
lamette valley will be bettered by
per cent. In the Hartman system
there are, on the Union Pacific, 8 Il
cars TO the mile; three care TO the
mile on the Southern Pacific and o.
r. 4 n. In conclusion. speaking as
a member of the legislature, Senator
Booth Informed the meeting that the
Legislators would do the best they
could, and that the public should not
be surprised II 1t does not obtain all
il expects, for the problem is difficult.
For the car shortage he contended
there is no excuse for "the railroads
are in the business of anticipating"
In the same vein, George NJ. Corn
wen. of Portland. said the railroads
were trying TO pluck the goose to get
the largest amount OF feathers with
the least amount of sQuawking.
When the resolutions were finally
submitted by the committee, con-
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