The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1908-06-11

duced passenger rate law fails 10 reveal
any demand on the part Of the masses
of the people of Texas for its enact
ment. Not even the platform demand
ed it. On the contrary it was the
sole demand OF Il part of the railroad
commission and yourself, and neither
Of these dared pave the way for it in
the party creed adopted at the Da Has
convention, However | d. not pre-
sume to say that this will not be at
tempted in the construction of the next
State Democratic platform.
For its refusal 20 pass reduced pass
enger rate law, the legislature is heart
lily commended in this section, and
when the people come to understand
the proposition as the result of CAM
paign of education, in which the dem
agogue does not enter, but in which
the States welfare is the supreme mo-
tive, it will he just as heartily com
mended throughout the State, for it
vii be realized that it is hetter equip.
ment and better transportation facili-
ties that are demanded Of the railroads
rather than reduction of passenger
fares The railroads Of Texas are not
criminal corporations They are neither
trusts nor momopolies, and heing under
the direct supervision, inspection and
control Of interstate and state com mis-
sions, it is the fault Of the government
il they are permitted to oppress the
people. They are, moreover, civilizers
and empire builders, and Texas needs
more miles of them than does any
other state of the Union. The Central
West Texas Commercial Club has not
stopped over in its suggestions and it
does not play, hy design or ignorance,
into the hands Of gmsping interests.
They have stated their position in
the principles as enunciated in the res
olutiuns passed, and these principles
will stand the analysis at the hands of
the people of Texas, without regard to
section And these clubs have been
confirmed in the wisdom Of their princi-
pies and suggestions by some things
which have come to pass recently. For
instance, the railway commission has
ordered the International q Great
Northern Railway to buy sixty loco
motives which will cost $4,000 each,
or "A total of $40, GOO; 5000 freight cars.
to cost 50, 720,0 900, and twelve passen-
ger coaches, $4,000, or a grand total of
$3,656, 900. Moreover, reporting on a
tonr of inspection recently made over
the lines of the international & Great
Northern Railway, zone of the com
nIssioners gives 1t out as his opinion
that an investment of $4,000 per mile
would be necessary to put that system
track and roadbed in adequate condi-
ton to transport its traffic.
This road has approximately 1,MC
miles of track; therefor, an outlay oi
S5000,0 900 is imperative to put its track
in adequate condition. Add this sum
to the equipment demands already
mentioned, and tie road is expected
to invest IS, 8,656 900 before it is prepared
to satisfactorily serve the public. Now,
the railroad conn" s-on, in its Ol1icia
report, values the International
Great Northern at $30,0O0O0 900. Ger
tainly it is entitled to a fair rate OF H.
terest on the investment, but the con-
mission argues now that 1T should re
duce its passenger fares, and thel
expects 1t to invest moIe than eigh
and one-ha.f million dollars in equip
nlent and betterments, and ut the Same
time the commission whiting at it,
passenger fares and freight rates, ah'
those in authority threatening to re
duce rates via the railway commission
or by future legislative enactment
70 whom can this line turn in hope q
rescue from impoverishment or COINS
cation, if not to the agricultural am
commercial masses, who know tina
their relations to the railroads OF th
country are those Of mutual bench
and dependence? You have been
ia lroad manager, governor, and ar
supposed to be an adept at figure;
Can YOU solve this simple problem !
mathematics and justify the result
with your attitude on the raiiroa
policy of the State?
BY leaving the International ~ Gre'
Northern Railway ont OF the cohtr'
yersy. AS AN individual property, It
us turn to another phase OF the RAJ
road situation in Texas. Now tl
gross earnings of the fourteen loNi
railroads for the two months ehdlil
August 81, 1906, were Sl2,3lo,239
whi,e for two months ending Ausu
81. 1901, the gross earnings we're 81
655,U76.b6, but the operating expeiis
for tue two moth endrg Au gust .
1906. were sS, 755, ,o5U.S9, wn'ie Tor II
due Two montbs i'll 1907 they we
sIO,YyO, l,9 - or AL increase ol ", TO-
o2o. 80 III operating expenses. Tue
come from operating Tor the san
tnnu Z -.Dn ESD AZ ~ hl