The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-27
RAILROAD NEWS.
B. X. YOakum IndOrses Federal
Control of Railroads.
Rock Island Magnate Favors
Supervision Of Rates.
CAPITALIZATION TOO.
In Article in Worlds Work -
He Treats Question Fully.
Distinction Between Federal
and State Rights Presented.

New York, June IA plan to turf
the present current of railroad agita
ton from destructive into constructive
, channels is presented by B. r. Yoak
UNI, chairman of the executive board
of the Rock Island and the Frisco, In
an article in the forthcoming issue OF
the Worlds Work. Mr.. Yoakum ex-
presses himself as in favor of direct
federal control of railroad capitaliza-
ton, publicity of railroad accounts and
operations, and a complete and fair
adjustment of the interests of the pub
lie. the railroads and the government.
He says:
az believe that the solution of the
railroad problem is to be found in the
| cooperation of the people and the
railroads, through the government of
| the United States. The time has gone
and work out its plans, and carry on
its operations, without consulting the
interests of the people. The railroad
| must fall in line with the democratic
| institutions of this country.
THAT there have been mistakes by
| the railroads, we admit, and that some
/ of the troubles of today are the legiti-
| mate and logical outgrowth of such
mistakes. The object of the enlighten-
ed railroad manager and the enlight-
ened legislator must be to correct, as
far as possible, existing errors to make
a repetition of them impossible, and
to establish a permanent basis upon
which the people and the railroad can
transact their business in the future
without injustice either to one or to
the other.
THE current created by the existing
agitation must be turned into a safer
channel. or great harm will be done,
both to the railroads and to the peo-
pie. This agitation has now reached
a point where 1t may be said to carry
threat to the general welfare of the
country; because it threatens to affect
the industrial enterprises of the coun-
try, with the millions of men, women
and children directly dependent upon
these enterprises.
sire the destruction of the railroad
properties; and I believe that the peo-
pie, the government ana the railroads
are united in the desire to turn this
current of agitation from destruction
to construction
"The public demands that the rail-
roads of the United States shall be so
regulated by law as to prevent future
injustice In their management or dis
elimination in their conduct. The gov
eminent of the United States Is shap-
ing its administrative policy to that
end. As a railroad manager and as
an individual, I heartily indorse this
policy, and shall do all I can to pro-
mote such course.
1--WE are not planning and 1egislating
for today alone. but for tomorrow, |
when there will be more than 1907
100000 in the United States produce
ing and consuming. Therefore, the
problem of a fair adjustment between |
the railroads and the people, through |
the government, is a problem of great |
er responsibility than any other prob |
lem of the generation. We must face |
it with open minds, laying aside all !
personal ambition and our private pref |
udice, to seek first the good of all the |
people, which is also the good of all |
the railroads.
1.-The Hepburn act is effective, and |
is both just and wise. AS time goes |
on, the machinery for the enforcement
of the act will improve, and should
will cooperate with the
government and with the people to
enforce the law. believe in the
principle of the act, which is that
illegal discrimination or I'M
lawful devices. to any class of shippers
or communities as against another.
ct believe that the rebate is thing
of the past, as a principle, even though
In the very nature OF things there will
probably never be absolute perfection
in this matter any more than there
can be perfection in the matter of
mail delivery, army administration, or
any other organized administrative
function involving such a large per-
centage of our population.
valuation for the purpose of estab-
ishir- basis for fixing transportation
charges would not be of any disad-
to the railroads, except to fur
Their disturb present financial condi-
IONS but of no practical value for the
purpose of arriving at a fair and
equitable basis for rate making, and I
do not believe that 1t would cure the
existing Ills.
LAS q railroad manager. should not
oppose 1t. nor do see how the right
Of the government to make such valu-
alton can be challenged, even though
doubt it's ultimate efficiency in ac-
the practical results for
which it is being urged. The expense
It would entail on the government
would be unwise. as, all the elements
the principle of fair and
equitable rates can be had through
,ther sources of Information at the
command-which will
De reliable, while the valuation theory
will not
This plank in the most radical of