Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-05-30
TIE NEED OF TIE HOUR.


President Roosevelts speech OF to-
day at Indianapolis gives at length his
analysis of the railroad situation, not
only from the standpoint OF legislation,
but from the standpoint of higher util-
ity. In the discussion of this alter
phase the president says:
The great need OF the hour from
of the producer, consumer. and ship
per alike-is the need for better trans
portat.on facilities, for additional
tracks, additional terminals, and i'm
provements in the actual handling of
the railroads; and all this with the
least possible delay. Ample, safe, and
rapid transportation facilities are even
more necessary than cheap transpor-
atation. The prime need is for the in
Eestment of money VIII CHI will provide
better terminal faci tiles, additional
tracks, and greater number of cars
and locomotives. while at the same
time securing. IL possible, better wages
and shorter hours for the employees.
There must be just and reasonable reg
ulation of rates, but any arbitrary and
unthinking movement to cut them
down may be equivalent to putting a
complete stop to the effort to prov dc
better transportation.
There can be no question as to the
desirability of doing away with re-
bates or any method of favoring one
shipper at the expense OLA competitor,
and direct dealing with the rates is
sometimes the only method by which
this favorit SIN can be avoided; but
where favoritism is not alleged and
when the question is markedly one of
getting a lower rate, 1t must be re-
membered that 1t is often possible that
those demanding 1t may be diametrk
cally opposed in interest to those who
Z demand better. safer. and more rap d
transportation service, and higher
wages and shorter hours for employees
II the demand for more taxes. fer
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
Legislative movements take a shape so
ill-directed as not only to threaten
honest investments and honest enter
prises. but also to prevent any effort
for the betterment Of transportation
: facilities. II then becomes out Of tho
question to secure the necessary in
vestment Of capital in order to bring
about an improved service. Rates
should not be unduly high; there
should be a thorough safeguarding
against accidents: there should be no
improper Sinking OF taxes; the ship
Ders OF the country must be supplied
generously with cars and all other
Equipments necessary to properly care
for 0ur commerce. and al this means
that the national government must be
given full ana effective power OF super
vision and control. But the interests
su9 those who build, who manage, and
who invest IN the railroads must be
mo less scrupuIousiy guarded than the
interests Of the public. 1t is urgently
necessary at the present time. in or
der to relieve the existing congestion
OF business and to do away with the
,parafysis which threatens our expand
ing industries because Of limited and
sinenicient means of distribution. that
our railway facilities should be so in
creased as TO meet the Imperative de-
snands OF our internal commerce. The
want can be met only by private cap
Stal, and the vast expenditure neces
sary for such purpose win not he In