Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-06-30
l1s.Isxa .or r..E Assoc,arEo asEss
THE RAILROAD PROBLEM;

~ 49, $500 =
THE RAILROAD PROBLEM
Isl Last month Mr. B. f. Yoakum,
cha rman Of the board OF directors
OF the Chicago, Rock Island & Pa.
cific railway, was induced by the
publishers Of Worlds Work to out.
& line his views on the railroad prob
lem and the steps that must be taken
to settle it. Mr.. Yoakum is q mem.
4 Der Of the new school Of railroad
officials and like Mr.. Mellen, former
" Of the Northern Pacific but now
president Of the New York & New
1 Haven road, is a rational advocate of
closer relations and better under.
standing between the corporations
and the people. In an article con-
tributed to the current issue of
Worlds Work Mr.. Yoakum in part
says:
s believe that the solution of the
/ railroad problem is to be found in
the cooperation OF the people and
the railroads, Through the govern
ment Of the United States. The time
has gone by when the railroad could
{ go ahead and work ont its plans,
and carry on its operations, without
consulting the interests Of the peo-
PIE. 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
legitimate and logical outgrowth Of
such mistakes. The object Of the
enlightened railroad manager and Of
the enlightened legislator must be
] TO correct as far as possible existing
errors, to make repetition Of them
impossible, and to establish a per-
manent basis upon which the people
and the railroad can transact their
business ii the future without injus.
lice either to one or to the other.
Fhe public demands that the rail.
roads OF the United States shall be
80 regulated by law as to prevent fu-
I ture injustice in their management
The government of the United States
/ IS shaping Its administrative policy
to that end. AS a railroad manager
and as an Individual, heartily en-.
dorse this policy, and shall do all
can to promote such a. course
We are not planning and legis-
latfng for today alone, but for to-
morrow, when there will be more
than 100, 900 900 people in the United
States, producing and consuming.
Therefore the problem Of fair adj
justment between the railroads and
the people through the government
IS problem of greater responsible.
/ itv than any other problem Of the
generation, We must face 1t with
open minds, laying aside all person.
III ambition and our private preju'
dice to seek first the good Of all the
people, which is also the good Of All
the railroads.
sThe Hepburn act Is effective, and
Il Is both just and wise. As time goes
81, the machinery for the enforce
naent Of the act will improve, and
should improve, and the enlightened
railroad managers Will cooperate
with the government and with th'
people to enforce the law. believe
iii the principle Of this act, which i
that there shall be uniformity o
charges without Illegal discrimfna
ton or unlawful devices to one clas
Of shippers or communities a
against another believe that tn
rebate is q thing Of the past, as
principle, even though In the yer
nature Of things there will prob
ably never be absolute perfection 4
this matter any more than there ca
be perfection in the matter OF maj
delivery, army Administered 2
any other organized administrative
function involving such q large pei
centage Of our population.
Variation for the purpose q
establishing a basis for fixed tram
portation charges would not be /
any disadvantage to the railroad,
except I'd further disturb preser
financial condi tions, but Of no pra
ticaI value tor the purpose Of arri1
Ing at q fair and equitable basis e
rate-makings and Z do not beliey
\ that It woiId cure the existing Ills.
AS railroad manager, I shout
not oppose 1t, nor do 4 see how tn
light 81 the government To max
such valuation can be challenged
ISL even though doubt its uitimat