The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-10-24

cannot help seeing something Of the
conditions which exist over a consider
able portion of this country and it has
been perfectly evident to me for some
months past that we were on the eve OF
a check to our prosperity. Opinions
may and will differ as to the causes of
this check. but there is no doubt that
it has arrived. We are still doing a
large business but it has been less than
last year at this time and is simply
the impetus derived from the past con-
ditions.
"There is plainly in sight consider
able period of dullneSs and decreased
earnings, and there will be no new un-
derta kings in the railroad line and very
few in other lines of trade for at least
year.
THE situation is of course rendered
much worse by the disposition extant in
the western states, TO single out the
railroads for persecution. 1t means long
drawn out litigation with uncertain re-
suits. 1t means antagonism where
there ought to be cooperation. 1t
means no new roads and no improve
ments on existing roads, both of which
are a thousand times more important
to the people of Kansas than any re-
duction in freight or passenger rates.
''I observe that the railroad commits
sion is figuring on new schedule OF
rates. Did it ever occur to you that
cerned the roads might haul all the
supplies consumed in the state free of
charge and it would not affect the liv-
ing expenses of the average family to
the extent of five dollars a year-or
that they might double the present rates
and the average householder or head
of a family would not know it unless
he saw it in his newspaper? All this
talk about high rates and oppression
is the veriest rot.
The above is an interview from E.
P Ripley, president of the Atchison,
Topeka & Santa Fe railroad. President
Ripley was in Topeka today attending
the annual meeting of the Santa F'e
stockholders. 1t was written by Mr..
Ripley himself. In company with Cen
eral Manager J. E. Hurley, President
Ripley left this afternoon for trip
over the Oklahoma and Texas lines of
the Santa Fe after which he will re-
turn to Chicago. Previous to his de-
parture at o'clock this afternoon,
President Ripley made a trip through
the Topeka shops and looked over
Santa F'e property interests in Topeka.
Meeting Is Uneventful.
In addition to President Ripley, Sec
ond Vice President ]. w. Kendrick,
Third Vice President G. T. Nicholson,
General Manager J. E. Hurley, c. S.
Gleed of Topeka, A. C. Jobes of Wich-
tia and P. I. Bonebrake of Topeka
were present at the meeting. The alb
sent directors were represented by
proxy About the only business which
was transacted at the meeting was the
election of four directors to succeed
Victor Morawitz, H. r. DuVal, T. P.
Fowler of New York, and Charles s.
Gleed of Topeka, whose terms have
expired The four were reelected for
a term of years.
Very little other business was trans
acted at the meeting The meeting last
ed but very few minutes, most of the
business seemingly having been ironed
out beforehand and leaving nothing
but the official formal approval
After the meeting Vice President
Kendrick left for his home in Chicago
after having been on western trip for
the past three weeks. Vice President
Nicholson also returned to Chicago.