The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-02
FROH OTHER PENS
! STARTING HARD.

It was hardly to be expected that
a law regulating the working hours
of railroad employees could go into
effect without causing considera BILE
Inconvenience and -necessitating a
pronounced readjustment of operat-
ing conditions. One explanation of
the trouble resulting from the en-
forcement Of the law, providing that
members Of train crews may not work
more than 16 hours without a certain
number OF hours of duty appears to
be that plans to comply with its pro-
visions were delayed by some OF the
railroads until the date OF its enforce
ment, instead Of being made in plenty
Of time to meet the new conditions.
The idea OF leaving a train on a
siding until its crew can rest is hui
name and perhaps conducive to safe
transportation, but how much better
would be a readiness to change crews
at the expiration Of the specified
time? II the law remains on the
books, conditions will be made to
handle business with a minimum of
Interference and delay, but such pre-
parations might well have been made
before the law became effective. It
appears also that the question of lay
overs for the men ought to be SIM
pie one. New schedules should be
worked out easily II only the authori-
ties will go about It, 1t is only a mat
ter Of figures and it should be no
great task for the right man or men
in the railroad business-Buffalo Elk
press.
A FARMERS TRUST
Farmefs of the west furnished most
of the strength Of the Populist party,
which few years ago was 80 formid-
able. It is the farmers who protest
most loudly against trust domination.
In spite of the fact that farmers are
the most prosperous class in the coun-
try today.
For these reasons the proposals of
the American Society of Equity. a
farmers organization, seem rather
strange. The Society of Equity is en-
to hold their grain in their own gra-
naries for the purpose of raising the
price and increasing profits. II the eff
fort succeeds, trust methods will be
adopted by farmers, and no more
mercy will be shown the consumer
than the RockefelIers show.
Success. of course, is not likely. It
will probably be found impossible to
bind all the farmers Of the country
together closely enough to make the
plans of the Society of Equity FEAST
BILE. But the project is interesting as
evidence that 1t still makes a differ
ence whose OK is gored.-Chicago
Journal.
EUROPE NOT FRIENDLY
Returning from Europe, A. B. Hep
burn, president of the Chase National
bank. says that 1--WE are regarded on
the Continent there as bumptious
people who ought to be spanked into
some sort of decorum, and they would
welcome and rejoice in any interna-
tional complication, not involving
themselves, that would bring us into
difficulties. We are their commercial
and financial rivals"
The same might be said Of Germany
because of it's extraordinary advance
In power. wealth and industry. 1t Is
said of Japan because Of the marvellous
efficiency it manifested in the war
with Russia. Bumptiousness is often
the vice Of success and of prosperity
| in individuals and nations; success and
prosperity invite the suspicion and
jealousy Of the Tess masterful
But what warrant has anyone for
saying that Germany, France, Italy
or Austria, meaning the people of the
| Continent, want to see the United
States Inundated OF impoverished by
war? A few political intriEuers or GER
| tain commercial interests in Berlin OF
Paris or elsewhere possibly would be
pleased to see this country hindered In
| its development by war with some
power not neighboY. to their own. To
| this feeling Mr.. Hepburn attributes the
hope he discovered while abroad that
trouble with Japan would arise from
| the sending OF Admiral Evans feet to
the Pacif1c-NeW York World