The Cairo bulletin., 1908-02-16
RAILROAD Man
FOR RAILROADS
3. r. YoAkuM or ROCK ISLAND
FRISCO SYSTEM SPEAKS
TO TEXANS.
SLOW AND CAREFUL !"
In Future Railroad Extensions Be-
cause Of Adverse Legislation
Which Has Retarded or
Stopped Development.

| Fort Worth. Tex. Feb. Is. Speak
ing to the meeting Of the Farmers
/ Union and Texas Commercial club To-
iday, H. r. Yoaknm, chairman sof the
lexecntive committee OF tho Rock
llsland Frisco railway system, said IA
lrart:
Az | have said ! am going slow
land carefel In future. and do not snssg
ftend to encourage new won. were 4
| feel the laws are unfair. I will never
undertake the construction Of single
mile OF railroad IN any country that
II do not feel warranted In saying 10
tothers that the investments are safe
and win be protected
II sometimes wish i was In pubic
| life. Such men have every advantage
over men In my line Of business. as
| wo cannot come In contact with tha
public az We would like, to present
our views and our side Of the import
matters looking TO the upbnilding 1T
the states but there Is no political
office could get that | would have.
The only position for which would
surrender my present job would b.
that of governor OF Texas There Is
no position that world appeal to mo
more than to stand with the citizens
| of Texas and push the progress of de
Ivelopment Of the state In bringing out
1.-THE untold resources and doubling the
wealth OF Its farmers and land owners
pnd bringing II mp to the highest stats
lof production by furnishing II With
what II demands In the way OF trans.
lportation and manufacturing indus
tries. My slogan would be 'Gridiron
the state; and believe that every
lcitizen Of the state In every class OF
hnsinass would ioin enthusiastically
lin trying 10 bring around cosnfitl0nn
that would mean greater profits and
In,cre happiness to all.
"The greater portion OF this could
be accomplished under a proper pol
Hey within forr years, and II made
Ia good governor for two years you
would be sure to give me two more.
OF course. cannot hope for such an
honor and distinction as to return to
| my native state and serve mt the
head OF the government az governors
are not drawn from men In my posi-
ton. but II such thing we're possible
III would be my ambition and pride to
spend my time In accomplishing and
making good what have pointed out
to you should and can be done for
Texas, and nj the same time see to IL
that all laws necessary forfthe protec-
| tfon of the public would not he
changed and none IN the statute
hooks go unenforced. II were
would be 20 call a meeting OF the
lofficers OF the Five Million club with
the aggressive. public spirited citizens
OF the state and we would underwrits
the club by agreeing that within four
years the population OF Texas would
reach five million or more This and
letter results. can be obtained through
the efforts of our present governor
and other state officials " they win
only come to the realization of the
stern business facts that the citizens
of Texas have grown tired OF the con
unued agitation and persistent re
s;rictions and interference with the
railroads OF the state and are begin
ming to realize that Il Is not aiding
HE development OF the vast and un.
limited resources. is not adding one
dollar In enhanced land values. is not
bringing increased and more re-
munerative employment tn the unem-
ployed. hut on the other hand that II
Is retarding the development Of the
state and keeping from all classes OF
citizens OF Texas that which right.
fully belongs To them. The outside
world stands ready TO furnish the
money for Texas institutions II the
politicians viii direct their energy to
the substantial upbuilding Of the
state
The political theory that the pub
lie service corporations and the pub
Nc that they serve must continue a
feeling Of sntaeonism instead Of close
cooperation Is a false enc. aud the
great masses Of thinking people are
beginning to realize II. aud they viii
soon cooperate through methods that
ere fair to both and our publiconi
rccs will be men who realize the Tn
poTtance Of closer cc-cpsraticn with
these institutions. ant the people ard
the railroad managers viii do all IN
their power 60 bring around that
friendly Telling that should exie'
rather than 20 pursue the crnrse -.
great many have pursued fcr The
last few years. which tosisy Is costing
the country and the pablo Untold
benefits. The pendRirm that MARKS
the center ~ fairness has teen
gradually pulled n che side Until 20
aay II departs - far from the stand
ard that II l. At an sngie Of abeat -
ao~-o~. huf II is rofnz 70 rr=fueflr