The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-05-31

| ism can be avoided; but where favorit-
| ism is not alleged, and when the Ques-
ton is markedly one of getting a lower
rate, 1t must be remembered that it is
| often possible that those demanding it
may be Numerically opposed in interest
| 10 those who demand a better safer and
more rapid transporta ton service, and
| hlgher wages and shorter hours for en-
/ ployes. If the demand for more taxes,
| for higher wages, for shorter hours for
| employees, and for lower rates becomes
| SO excessive as to prevent ample and
| speedy transportation and to eat up the
/ legitimate profits; if popular and legis-
| latlve movements take a shape so ILL
| directed as not only to threaten honest
| investments and honest enterprises but
i also to prevent any effort for the better
ment of transportation facilities, 1t then
| becomes out Of the question to secure
| the necessary investment of capital in
| order to bring about an improved SER
vice. Rates should not be unduly high.
there should be a thorough safeguarding
| against accidents; there should be no
| improper Sinking of taxes; the ship
pers of the country must be supplied
generously with cars and all other
equipments necessary to properly care
for our commerce, and all this means
that the national government must be
given full and effective power of super
vision and control But the interests of
those who build, who manage and who
invest in the railroads must be no less
ScrupulOuSly guarded than the interests
of the public. 1t is urgently necessary
at the present time, in order to relieve
the existing congestion of business and
to do away with the paralysis which
threatens our expanding industries, be-
cause of limited and inefficient means of
distribution, that our railway facilities
should be so increased as to meet the
imperative demands of our internal
commerce. The want can be met only
RS N tn INIT oil fho aSf
diture necessary for such purpose will
not be incurred unless private capital
is afforded reasonable incentive and pro-
lection. 1t is therefore a prime necess-
ity to allow investments in railway
properties to earn liberal return, re-
turn sufficiently liberal to cover all risks.
We can not get an improved service I'M
less the carriers of the country can sell
their securities; and therefore nothing
should be done unwarrantedly to impair
their credit nor to decrease the value of
their outstanding obligations.
For Positive Restraint.
I emphatically believe that positive
restraint should be imposed upon rail-
way corporations, and that they should
be required to meet positive obliga-
lions in the interest of the general pub
lie. no less emphatically believe that
in thus regulating and controlling the
affairs of the railways it is necessary
to recognize the need of an immense |
outlay of money from private sources, |
and the certainty that this will not be |
met without the assurance of sufficient |
reward to induce the necessary invest |
ment. 1t is plainly inadvisa BILE for the |
government to undertake to direct the |
physical operation of the railways, save |
in wholly exceptional cases; and the |
supervision and control it exercises |
should be both entirely adequate to |
secure its ends, and yet no more har-
assing than is necessary to secure these /
ends.
7 Io0Ji hot <,f %I,1l
United States are coming to a more
perfect sense of the responsibility of
the relation which they bear to the
public, and of the dignity of that re-
lation. They are public servants in the
highest and fullest sense. Indeed, there
Is not a brakeman nor a switchman
upon the most remote road in the land
who does not fill a public function and
render a service of large public useful
ness. We begrudge neither honor nor
reward to these men to whom we en-
trust our lives and our property. Be
hind these active workers in the rail-
road field are those who have the de-
of railroad policies. These
men are entitled to great rewards; and
IN return public opinion is right in
holding them to a rigid accountability
for the way they perform their public
duties. For several months past some
f not all, of our roads have been in
condition of extreme congestion.
Doubtless this is mainly due to the
y
railroads, that our prosperity has in
creased at such a rate that the most
and optimistic railroads have
oeen unable to keep pace with it's
growth. But it is also true that ordi-
nary methods of operation, which hold
good in a placid time of steady and
regular movement, should at time of
,risis yield to the imperative necessl-
les of public need.
The experience of the past winter
proves how great is our dependence on
he railroads and how serious the re-
of those who undertake to
are for the public in the matter of
1 believe that there is
ingenuity and executive
genius in the operating officials of the ;
'oads greatly to diminish the troubles ,
Of The most effective way
q lessen demands for unreasonable !
egislation is for the railroads acting
and collectively to remedy
IS many as possible of the abuses and I
for which there really are !
.emedies and for which remedial laws
ire demanded by the shipping public. .
The admirable national legislation of
'ecent years. in taking away from the
ailroads the power of giving illegal |
avor, has taken away from them one
# the illegitimate methods by which |
hey used to protect themselves from
attack; and it is therefore pec-
ssary that upright public servants
hould be as vigilant to protect them
Lgainst harm as to prevent them from
Ioing harm. Undoubtedly many high
,fficers among the railroad men have
ollowed the extremely unwise course OF
to defeat the enactment of
proper laws for their own control, and
# endeavoring to thwart, obstruct and
ring into discredit the administration .
# the laws. But the folly of some of 1
heir number in no way alters our. duty. O
Tor the wisdom of performing this duty
n a spirit of absolute justice alike to {
he railroad, the shipper, and the gen. +
raj public.
HEo4%o.. nR HTo-oTO Il