Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-11
w. G. Browns Solution.


William c. Brown, president of the
New York Central lines, followed ex-
Senator Spooner. Mr.. Browns idea of
the way for the railroads to make friends
with the people was by establishing
agricultural schools to help the farmer.
He said:
II desire to suggest briefly two plans
having a COMMON purpose and perhaps
equal in Importance.
First the broadening and. in way
the specializing OF our methods Of educa-
ton In all our schools and colleges. l
would have a first-class manual training
school attached to every high school and
to every college and university, where
young men could be turned out good.
practical journeymen, blacksmiths. boil
plumbers, or skilled workmen at some
other useful trade. l would make our
agricultural colleges in fact what they
are in name. to the end that graduates
Of these colleges should be first-class
farmers. thoroughly equipped and vitality
interested.
Second. 1 would double our rural pop
ulation by more than doubling the prod
uct per acre of the nations farms"
f. =. Ripley, president of the Atchison,
Topeka and Santa Fe. said that the old
idea Of THE public, be DAMNED had
passed out; and instead of it the rail-
roads had been compelled TO recognize
that the people We're the final arbiters
Of their fate In outlining his scheme
for promoting better relations between
the public and the railroads, ne said:
I'm this country the people rule-and
In the long run that system, that method,
or that personality that does not meet
the APPRECIATION of the public cannot sue
coed. Acknowledging. as We must. that
the public is all powerful. the question
is, how may We satisfy our masters and
thus mitigate our woes and preserve our
properties.
I'VE must realize. as l think we all
do latter series of very hard knocksl,
that the railroads are not strictly private
property. but subject to regulation by
the public through its regularly consti-
may reduce our earnings and increase
our expenses has been sufficiently
proved
Some Present Difficulties.
w. III. Marshall. president OF the Amer
lean Locomotive Company. representing
the dealers in railroad supplies, said:
During our one year of existence as an
association we have had ample oppor-
tunity to study the situation. Two facts
stand out prominently-frst. that we are
suffering from an excess of legislation,
and second. that for some reason the
managements OF railroads, in too many
cases, do not reach the heart and sym
pathy Of the people.
"A railroad management should not lose
sight of the fact that in its task of con-
citation special attention must b. given
to the small shipper. to the passenger who
travels but a few miles on its trains and
to local communities. Nothing adds more
to the faith and loyalty OF the kind or
men railroads wish to retain in their en-
ploy than daily evidences of justice to
Others. full realization OF all these
conditions should lead to greater vigilance
in tie maintenance OF correct relations
with the public"
Ex-Representative w. r. Hepburn OF
Iowa spoke from the point OF view Of the
legislator. He said
There are some men prominent in rail-
road councils who seem to regard the
people and the lawmaking power as en-
emies-enemies who are willing to destroy
or greatly injure them These men are
woefully mistaken. There are no people