The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-22
FROM OTHER PENS
RAILROADS MORE HOPEFUL.

1t is interesting to note in the inter
state commerce commissions report
tone toward the transportation lines
that Is almost felicitous. That the TIDE
of sentiment is setting in against dras-
tic legislation is apparent in the earn
eStly expressed hope of the commission
that there will not longer be need for
the seventies Of the law. The report
does not lay aside the rule, Spare the
rod and spoil the child. It believes that
castigation is salutary when conditions
justify.
Although prosecution of the Harrf-
man interests is talked of, and will
probably find place upon the sched-
ule of the federal law department S
activities, there Is no general attitude
of distrust Of the roads. The people
are apparently satisfied that the rail-
roads are better conducted than they
were before the agitation for reforms
led the government to action.
There has arisen among railroad
arrangements themselves q demand for
the publication, and It has come to be
felt that the way to avoid severer re-
strictive laws is to prove amenable to
those that are in operation. Partic-
ularly the outbreak of state legislation
during the past year has had the effect
of creating a sentiment for rigid COM
pliance with the law and respect for
the public will. 1t is noteworthy that
the railroads are beginning to take a
held in allegiance for improvements are
coming to the fore. Traffic is picking
up and assuming normal proportions.
Confidence engendered in the financial
world has had a reflect effect upon in
dustry generally, and the transporta-
ton business particularly. AS the rail-
roads are so close to the interests of
the people, it Is hopeful sign that they
are recovering from the fright that led
to retrenchment and the calling off of
improvements that entailed large out
lays.-Baltimore American.
CONQUEST OF THE PENNIES.
Whether the currency stringency Is
responsible for it or not, it is certain
that the long existing prejudice of the
west against the use of the cent is be-
ing broken down. In Oregon and
Washington merchants are yielding to
the demands of their patrons, many
of them people of eastern birth who
have settled in the northwest, to in
troduce the copper coin in business
transactions. Formerly no coin small
Ter than the scent piece was in cir
culation, and in cases where purchases
came to sums which were not multi
pies of five it was the custom to
make transactions in "even money"
The principal objection to the re-
form in this method is that it means
additional work for accountants and
Leslie's Weekly.
DEMANDS OF THE PHILIPPINES
1t is not at all creditable to this
country that the Philippines should be
compelled to offer America free entry
into their country of some important
products in order to induce the United
States to grant them more freedom
in trade. Apparently firing of their
efforts to secure something like the
same treatment which this country
extends to other countries that fly the
American flag, the Philippine ma
tional assembly recently instructed its
commissioners to the United States to
endeavor to secure reciprocity. It
naturally seems absurd, as well as I'M
fair, that an American dependency
should be obliged to ask reciprocity
instead of equal rights with a country
by which it has been adopted, but the
Philippines have apparently aban-
doneo hope Of receiving the whole
loaf ana will now try to be content
with half a loaf.-Portland Oregonian.