The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1907-10-08
THE PANIC CRY" OF THE PANIC STRICKEN
Panic is a state OF mind.

own ability TO cope with whatever conditions may
arise he becomes paric stricken. lin that condition
he loses his mental balance, his sense OF truth and
proportion and magnhes misfortune, real or imagin-
ary into disaster.
So. when people lose confidence in the financial
condition of their country. when they begin to mag
nifty the Importance and effect OF each difficulty
(which arises in the business world panic sets in and
runs its course 10 disaster
Panic seems to have taken possession of the
mind of T. r Ripley president OF the Santa Fe rail
road. He is suffering from the railway presidents
panic which has become SO prevalent since RooSe-
welt started his campaign to curb the railroads in the
exercise OF the predatory power which they have used
in the past 10 build up immense fortunes for them
selves and their favores at the expense OF the com
mon people Ever since the president started this
campaign there have been frequent outbreaks of
panic the part OF railway presidents who them
selves confronted by power greater than their own
and realize that they may be brought book and pun
ished for their misdeeds
They have sounded their panicky cries in the hope
that their own fear would infect the minds OF the peo-
pie and cause popular protest which would head off
the campaign which the president is waging against
their illegal methods OF acquiring and monopozing
the wealth OF the country
President Rpleys panic demonstration follows
alton that he will not be swerved in his campaign for
railway regulation and will not allow any guilty man
TO escape, ii he has his way. Hardly has the ink in
which this declaration was printed become dry before
Ripley bawls forth the old, old cry of panic"
II take very gloomy view OF the future" he
said Il cannot see how can escape hard times.
The country has been worked into terrible hystcria
railroads and corporations until the people are
likely to do almost anything long a railway or
corporation is hit hard The hysteria has hit high
places and has resulted in grand stand plays where
might reasonably expect to find calm and dcliber-
ate Judgment.
Il can evidences of trouble ahead, despite the
fact that railroads just busy. In a short time
there will be two to every railroad job instead Of
two jobs to every man. AS for railroad buying or
railroad building. could not recommend to our di-
rectors to build another foot OF road in Texas with
the laws they have passed there, nor in one or two
other states | could mention"
Undoubtedly Ripley takes very gloomy view
OF the future" Every CRATER becomes gloomy when
he sees prospects Of his fat graft being off Doubt
less he hard times ahead for himself Hard times
TO him means merely the cutting off OF profits out Of
all proportion TO investments which the railroad mag
mates have been enjoying in the past
Very likely he does see trouble ahead" There is
likely to be trouble for various railroad presidents if
President Roosevelt follows out his declared intention
Of prosecuting all the graiters in business life whose
grating is brought to the attention OF the govern
ment.
II hysteria has hit high places" it is confined
largely to railroad circles. The present panic is con
fined to the railway presidents SO far the people
have taken part in it.
And the people showing no disposition TO
take up the cry OF panic" They have given only
amused attention to the grand stand plays" of the
railway presidents They see no signs OF diminished
prosperity to themselves in movement which is aim
ed at financial bandits to prevent further robbery Of
the people.
The protests Of the railway presidents TO Presi-
dent Rooscvets policy too pure to be seriously
considered. 1t is the old dodge of the hunted man
raising hue and cry to direct the chase toward some
one else The railway presidents feel the force OF pub
lic condemnation becoming too strong for them and
are trying to SHIFT il 10 President Roosevelt by work
ing the people into a panic of fear
But the dodge will not work The American
people have been ricked too often by the money han
dts to be caught again soon They realize that il
IS up TO them 20 fight for their rights that only bv
hghtmg can they get their fair share OF the products
OF their own efforts which being diverted so rapidly