The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-11

ties simply because the factories are
badly over-crowded as the railroads
but unlike the railroads, they have ta-
ken advantage of the situation to raise
their prices-and this brings me to the
onslaught that is being made on the
railroads in every direction. We are
20 per cent; we are threatened with in
creased taxation, though we already
pay our full share in comparison with
other property; we are threatened with
other laws increasing our fixed charges
and they will have to be paid; it is pro-
posed to reduce our rates, thus In
creasing our fixed charges and reducing
our ability to pay them. In short, we
are treated practically as outlaws ex-
cept when we are asked to help out
some public or charitable object.
THE best remedy can suggest is to
let the railroads alone. If they are not
hampered by restrictive legislation and
if they can maintain their credit so as
to obtain the necessary funds, they Will
soon get their heads above water and
be able to take care of their business
but if confidence in railroad property as
an investment is destroyed and there is
no way of raising more money the con-
ditions will grow worse instead of bet
ter.
test and sound a warning, and in so
doing I will say that I am neither
While / am in the employ of a railway
company, / have my own opinion as 20
right and wrong, as to Justice and IN
Justice; I know the southwest, think
in general and in detail. have had
much to do with the upbuilding of new
territory, and I say unhesftatingly that
what Oklahoma especially needs is more
railroads and better railroads, not re-
pressive or restrictive legislation.
mo law that can be passed will get
cars when there are no cars to get. No
penalty will make railways more anx-
a
the business they possibly can and as
promptly as they can.
However if all adverse suggestions
are carried out and crystalized into law
If the people form their opinions on
the headlines of sensational papers and
on the views of extremists-how can
capital be persuaded to build railroads,
to improve those already built or to pro-
vide more cars? Who will furnish the
money? Nobody in Oklahoma, because
they can make too much at home; they
can do twice as well with their money
in home investments as they can to buy
railroad stocks or bonds. How can 1
ask our people to pledge their credit
and borrow money to build more rail
roads or improve those we already
have? What assurance can / give that
their property will not be conhscated
Railroads are not the only enter
prises that could be injured by radical
adverse legislation. do not personally
object to reasonable control of corpora
tions or the enactment of laws to pro-
hibit discrimination and the like, but 1T
seems to me that in the making of
constitution for new state only those
fundamental provisions should be in
corporated, leaving the details of fu-
ture regulation to the legislature of the
new state. When the legislature passes
a law that is not adequate or that is too
drastic the mistake may soon be discov
cred and soon remedied. The interests of
the farmers. the manufacturers and all
the producers anu trans psrtation COM
panies of the new state are interviewer
and one cannot be injured without eff
fecting all TE. P. RIPLEY