The Washington herald., 1908-03-02
Railroads in Politics.

Editor The Washington Herald
Although I have been affiliated with
newspapers and newspaper work for many
years, and am an acute observer OF the
prevailing spirit Of the press. I fail TO
conceive why 4 large number Of the lead
ing newspapers throughout the country
continue to render aid and support to the
coterie Of unscrupulous men whose chief
aim is to rule or ruin our admirable form
OF government.
Quite a large number Of pseudonym
presidents Of colleges and prominent rail-
way officials are now travelling over the
country delivering speeches. These
speeches. the character OF which IS un-
patriotic and often sedltious. are given
to the press of the country. with a view
toward enlightening the benighted masses
as to the causes which superinduced the
great economic stress under which they
are now living. Whether Mr. Morgan,
Mr. Hartman, Chancellor Day, ct al
uttered the sentiments recently attrib-
uted TO them or not. the newspapers that
published the same are not only sowing
the seeds of sedition and the worst form
of socialism. but they are accentuating
the elements of strife between capital
and labor.
It is -ot too much to say that the
servi! ess of the country, which per-
mits Chief Executive OF the nation
to be maligned and insulted by men of
influence without word Of comment,
would be the first to denounce the leaders
Of labor organizations. providing they
made speeches Of a similar character.
That the railroads Throughout the coun-
try have for many years indulged in poll
tics is q well-known fact, and now that
they have learned that the political ma
chine cuts both ways, the presidents Of
not a few OF the great railway lines are
denouncing politics as being the cause Of
the financial depression.
In a speech before the chamber Of com
merce in Alexandria. Va. one evening
last week. President Finley. cf the South
ern Railway. among other things. said
that politics is responsible for the present
depression in the railroad business, while
the president of a large railroad in
Georgia recently declared that the rail-
roads OF the country are suffering from a
severe attack Of Rooseveltism. In this
connection IL may be opportune TO say
that President Roosevelt. in conjunction
with the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion, will soon diagnose the malady af-
fiicting the railroads. and, If needs be,
will prescribe drastic remedies therefor.
The railroads Of the country have ex-
perienced a long period Of unparalleled
prosperity, which resulted in extrava-
ganee and grating" Many of the rail-
roads are topheavy-i e., they have too
many high-salaried officials One railroad
in the South has seven vice presidents.
whose positions are mere sinecures. This
railroad began retrenching by reducing
its repairmen 90 80 cents a day, with the
result that they all abandoned their work.
The unwarranted and malicious attacks
being made on President Roosevelt and
his administration by the so-cailed cap
tains Of industry and the corporate in
terests reveal to the world the true char
acter Of the men with whom the army OF
wage earners have to contend. With this
type of men in control OF the measure Of
value and the means of production and
distribution, the masses may well fear
for their future destiny
JOHN A. CROWLEY.
s1 street southwest