The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-04-19
HENDERSON SEES
BREAKERS AHEAD
Former Nebraska Senator
Speaks Against Government
Ownership of Railroads.
WHAT SCHEME INVOLVES
TELLS FACTS TO SHOW MAGNi-
TUBE OF QUESTION.

Government ownership of railroads is
not only impracticable and undesirable,
but would be nothing short OF calami-
tous in its effects on the American pub
lie, according to General Charles F. Man
derson of Omaha, former United States
senator from Nebraska. and for several
years past general counsel of the Bur-
lington railroad. General and Mrs Man
derson are guests at the home of George
Y. Wallace in Salt Lake on their way
home after a visit to southern Califor-
MIA.
Periodic Insanity"
1T has occurred to me sometimes that
communities and nations have periods of
mental alteration that might be called
periodic insanity and the present wide
spread opposition TO corporate interests.
and particularly railroad corporations, Is
some evidence TO my mind that We have
reached one of those periods of mental
disorder that peTVades the whole body
polite said General Henderson yester-
day Unfortunately, the pace in this
direction was started and. one may say,
has received greatly increased accelera-
ton by our oNer-strenuous chief execu-
tive. The combatiVe, not to say pugi-
listic, characteristic in his makeup seems
TO desire friction and combat ! wish it
could receive qualification in encounters
that would not prove to be disastrous
to the public welfare.
More Facilities Needed.
There never was greater need for in
creased railroad facilities, for new lines,
better tracks and increased rolling stock.
than there is at the present time.
late statement by President James j. Hill
of the Great Northern system is not ex-
aggeration OF the necessity. Indeed, every
traveller by railroad and every shipper
over existing lines realizes the great need
Of such increase and betterment. This
need can only be met by the expenditure
of vast sums OF money, and with the fed
eral authorities in arms against railroad
interests and with the state legislatures
fun of destructive animOsijy the chances
are against such increase or betterment
and the transportation condition is likely
to become worse rather than better. With
expenses undergoing constant increase
and the forced lowering of rates. capital
viii shrink from further investment
Cost of Ownership.
Our constitutional provision that pri-
vate property shall not be taken for pub
lie use without fun compensation still
remains and the courts will not lose sight
OF this valuable protection to private
rights. There can be no conflsCaton of
railroad property by either state or fed
eral authority. If the railroads are to be
owned by the government they will have
to be paid for, and the estimate of the
interstate commerce commission Is that
the railroads OF the United States are
worth from $1,000 10000 to Sl5.0G0, 10000.
This is a sum that causes the magma
ton to reel To it the cost of great wars
that bankrupt wealthy nations is baga-
teie
There are other matters of great pith
and moment TO be considered. The rail-
roads of the country are the most IN
pOTtant taxpayers in al the munlcipail-
ties counties and states through which
they pass. And the millions of dollars
paid BY them into the public treasures
come owned by the states and nation.
Then. too, there is no more reckless eX-
penditure than that which is made when
the general government pays the bills.
We have this lesson in every state, and
it is taught with emphasis by the federal
government. With this increased cost of
conducting the railroad business and the
increased taxation upon property. there
would come a burden upon the citizens
of every state and Of the nation that
would be disastrous and cause financial
trouble that would be continuous and ru-
nous to every section of the republic.
Il need not take the time to speak of
the evils incident to this enormous in
crease Of public officials. 1t Is enough
to suggest that which Will occur to any
intelligent man who gives the subject
thought-that it would enable party
to maintain itself I'm power and would
lead finally to the destruction Of what
we are pleased to call a government by
the people and for the people
No Pay for Damages.
1t is worthy of observation that the
government of the United States has never
consented TO the appropriation of money
TO pay for the sins of omission or COM
mission by its servants. Few people real
ize the vast sum. running into many mil
lions Of dollars. paid annually by the
railroads of the United States to those
who lose limbs or are otherwise injured
in railroad accidents and that which is
paid 20 the representatives of those who
have lost life; for lost and damaged
freight and baggage; the killing of live
stock and to compensate for the losses
by fire set by locomotives. When the
government owns the roads none of these
sums viii be paid for the congress has
persistentIy refused to establish the pre-
cedent that compensation shall be made
| in cases of loss that are akin to those
I have named