The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-11
RAILROAD NEWS.
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st. Louis Merchants Association
Discusses Railway Situation.
Halt in Hostile Transportation
Legislation.
FACTS AND FIGURES.
Suggests Wait Till Results of
Hepburn Bill Are Learned.
Gossip and Matters of Interest
i'm Railroad Circles.
FACTS AND FIGURES

''In the light of these facts it is per-
tfnent to inquire. which do the people
of the United States need most, re-
duction in railroad rates or increased
facilities for the movement Of crops
and of the necessities of life?''
This question is asked IN a remark
able circular issued by, the Interstate
Merchants association of ST. Louis and
sent by its management broadcast
throughout the entire country
The circular is signed by F. w.
CrandaI, president of the association,
and by V. o. Saunders, manager. The
association is one OF the most power
full in the country and represents many
big shippers and many travelling men
scattered over a wide territory
The purpose of the circular is to try
to call halt upon the plethora of
drastic legislation which is contem-
plated by various states against the
railroads.
1t is the first protest which has been
made by any shipping organization
against legislation which has been con-
templated against railroads, and for
this reason it has caused great surprise
and great joy among railroad people
everywhere.
Bad Results Are Feared.
The association members believe
that if the present agitation in the
states continues 1t will be impossible
for the railroads to raise the money
necessary to provide facilities to re-
lieve the general traffic condition. The
association heartily approves of the
Hepburn law, but says:
Until it can be proved that the
present law is inadequate and that it
can not be made to accomplish the de-
G TAI n lJ hit ~
binary precaution which shall cause us
to Scrutinize with great care the bills
which are being introduced in the va
rious state legislatures. to limit the
earning capacity of railroad compan-
ies. ~ r
I'VE need but to refer to, the history
of railroad legislation In 1873 and
1876 to see how easy it is not only to
kill the goose which, lays the golden
eggs, but to smash the eggs as we'll.
We believe that a majority of the peo-
pie will agree with us that when we
ask for a square deal from the rail-
road companies it means that we are
willing to give them q square deal as
WELL .-s. - .---
Should Fnresee Stump. g "a !
In dealing with th Aequestinn OF. reas-
enable compensation for the railroads
the circular declares
ANY system of earnings based upon
the remarkable prosperity which
marks the present situation will fall
far short of absolute justice should it
not recognize and provide for those
times of adversely which are sure to
be felt.
Another consideration that should
be given is that the railroads are ina
condition of unpreparedness which
will require an expenditure nearly as
large as that made when they were
first built to put them in fit condition
to meet the wants and needs of the
people,
Many interesting figures are given
to show the ''unpreoaredpess'' of the
railroads to take care of the present
phenomenal traffic. 1t is also cited
that during 1904 the railroads killed
10,O46 and injured 84,155 in accidents.
IF this simple statement" reads the
circular, docs not emphasize the need
of modern up-to-date appliances for
the protection of PASSENGERS and en-