The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1909-03-05
CONGRESSMAN LAMAR MIS-
QUOTED

Your marked copy of ocala Banner,
with editorial, us Reformers," to
hand [ agree with you in part.
When 'reformers" fall by the way
side, everyone else may be permitted
to lapse from virtue. But all citizens
who hope much for progress in life
should be of good cheer
That which is imperatively right will
be won at last by mankind.
l write now to correct some misap-
prehensiOn growing out of a Wash
ington newspaper interview.
1t is my habit rarely ever to deny
such interviews, because they are
generally correct. Newspaper men
have rarely a motive in misquoting
public men. But the interviewer did
misapprebend my remarks, so far as
any political objects l might have on
my return to Florida. l was discuss
ing with him my ideas upon further
regulation of interstate railroad rates.
My statement to him was that being
now out of office l would lend whatev-
er influence l might have with the
Florida people to bring about a more
effectual regulation of interstate
rates.
| spoke of Mr. Flagler's railroad as
one having litigation with the state
on railway rates. But | gave Mr.
Flagler the credit for constructing
railroads in Florida with his own
money entirely, and without state
aid.
And l mentioned railroads in Flor
ida that should receive criticism, and
that the batteries need not be turned
on MIR. Flagler's railroad. l spoek of
the fact that the Louisville and Nash
vile railroad, or its property in Flor
ida, had received nearly thirty thous-
and acres per mile in aid of its build
ing, and was still charging 4 cents
per mile passenger fare. That the
Seaboard Air Line road was capitaliz-
ed at nearly fifty thousand dollars per
mile and that it never cost its owners,
in my opinion, half that amount, and
was not worth today half of that
amount. That the Atlantic Coast
Line road had two or three years ago,
declared dividend of twenty-five per
cent. and that that was an excessive
profit on carrying the produce of the
people
I appreciate fully the great work
in railroad construction that Mr.. Flag
Ter is doing now in Florida. 1t is an
enormous benefit to and advertise
ment for Florida. The people of Flor
ida should lend Mr.. Flagler their en-
enlargement and not vex nor harass
him in his work, and know they will
not do the latter. Certainly / shall
not do it. l feel too deep an interest
in my native state for that.
The interstate commerce commits
sion is today powerless to prevent
such exactions.
1. Interstate railroads can increase
rates at will. There is no check. The |
shipper can complain only after the
rate has gone into effect.
2. Such railroads merely by chang.
ing the classification of freight, can
increase the rate.
8. There is no physical valuation,
or law for the same, of interstate.rail- |
roads. When lawsuits occur then the |
railroads swell and balloon" the val
lie of their railway properties
4. Railroads can, at will, issue
bonds and stocks. These they sell,
put the money not on their roads hut
in their pockets, and charge the debt
to the producers, consumers and ship
Ders. This is all wrong.
l go out of Office March 4th. But
will not lose my interest in public AZ.
fairs. The people have honored me
highly for twenty years. / will not
lose my interest in their affairs be-
cause l happen to lose an office.
Office here is rather a dear invest
ment for me. My expenses in con-
gress for five years past, wife and
self, are at least twelve THOUSAND
dollars a year. For three years my
salary was five thousand dollars /,
year. My desire for public life is for
an honorable career. l have been a
'reformer" and hope to continue one
o the end.
For fourteen years as attorney gen.
eral gave up all private law practice
md lived upon a clerical salary as
he states highest law officer. When
came here six years ago it was a
custom, largely unbroken, | believe.
or United States senators and men,
'ers of the house of representatives Il
o use free railroad passes, free tele-