Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1909-04-22

they had ever been before, while now
after the operation of adverse legislation
and adverse administration there is a
widespread dissatisfaction heretofore un.
exampled. The railroads reunanimously
Of the opinion that the rate legislation Of
two years ago has crippled them serious
ly and has wrought untold mischief not
only to them, but to the people, and
there certainly can be no harm in lifting
these burdens from them and wait awhile
to see whether they are right or wrong.
Time will decide.
RATES SHOULD ALLOW PROGRESS.
I do not think the State has a moral
right to fix the rates for the railroads
without at the same time guaranteeing
that the rates so fixed will enable the
companies to keep their roads in the best
repair, to build decent and comfortable
station houses, to provide the best known
appliances for the safety Of employees and
the public, to pay the employees living,
liberal wages, to pay their employees who
may be injured adequate compensation
for their sufferings and losses, and to
pay reasonable dividends IN the capital
they have invested. The State has no
moral right to fix rates that would bank
rupt or cripple the railroads and then
try to escape responsibility for the result
it has brought about. 1t is not fair nor
right nor just to do this and especially
to dot by the use of the big stick.
In my opinion there is no half way
station between State limitation of rail-
road incomes and State ownership and
operation of railroads. It is admitted
that railroads are private property, oper.
ated, however, under State author.
ity, for the public use, and state
interference to limit aud to fix their in.
come always has and always will cause
dissatisfaction on the part of the roads,
and they will and do blame the State for
their failures in realizing enough to keep
their properties in the best shape and pay
dividends. This, the state denies, of
course, aid hence we have a divided re-
possibility between two a%ntagonistic
forces, the State on one side and the
roads on the other. Under such condit-
ions there must be aud can be nothing
but a state of war.
SEES STATE OWNERSHIP.
To me, therefore, II is clear that the
continued and persistent interference of
the State to limit and fix railroads i'll
comes in advance, must end in State
ownership and operation, as surely as
God reigns and truth is eternal. Aud ]
feel sure that there are but few in the
State who think this result would be de-
sirable.
1t may be asked hen if ! favor the
States retirement entirely from the field
Of railroad regulation. Personally ! am
not so sure that it would not be best to
leave the railroads free to work out their
destiny under an enlightened public
opinion. The railroad business is like
all other business; and the history of the
the past teaches thst all evils and irregu-
~lnrities will ultimately be removed. On
this general principle | am a disciple of
Adam, Smith and Thomas Jefferson.
But I am free to ray that I can see no
objection on economic principles to sonie
phases of State interference.
The State may very properly prevent
discrimination between places and ship.
pers, to require the roads to be kept in
best repair; to require the erection Of
comfortable station houses; to provide
the hest known appliances for the safety
Of employees aud the people; 10 pay reas
enable compensation, not dependent
wholly on the Negligence Of those who
may be killed or injured In their service;
will enable them to do all this and leave
enough to pay the stockholders Of the
roads reasonable dividends on the CAPT.
tai they have invested.