The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-02-10
KANSAS COMNENT
RAILROADS. PROFIT.

| A New York man. who has spent
hve years in Europe. makes a few
| comparisons between railroads abroad
and IN America The man is not in
terested in any railroad, but is in
commerce to get the best rates and
service for the transportation of the
goods he sells. In Europe. he found
| that freight rates averaged 25 to so
per cent higher than in this country.
Travelling class for class, was also
higher in Europe. And, in addition,
on most of the European railways, 1t
was necessary to pay for all luggage
a good sized trunk goes free with
every ticket And, in wages and
salaries of officials and employees. the
European roads pay from one-third
to one-ha1f what the same class OF
employees demand in this country
European railroads are largely gov
eminent owned or government con-
trolled. The above facts cause the
that American roads are able to make
both ends meet, and pay dividends. 1t
is probable that Americans who are
crying against the American railways
are not familiar with all the above
facts, but the travellers statements
will bear investigation. The inevitable
conclusion is that American railroads
are not so bad; in fact, that they are
the best managed in the world. They
have served the public well with
minimum of government regulation
But they must be allowed to make a
profit on the roads, or the excellence
of the service is sure to deter1orate.
To place the American roads more
fully under government regulation
might mean to make them go back to
European standards, where the gov
eminent is weL-nigh supreme in rail-
way operation. 1t is yet to be proved
that politicians are more conscientious
in serving the people than the man
agement of railroads. 1t is certain
that men who have devoted lifetime
to railroading know more about the
business than those who have devoted
a lifetime to the Vaccinations of poll
tics. 1t is, indeed, questionable
whether there is anything to
gain by this bowling against the rail-
roads. On the other hand, it is likely
there is a good deal to lose; loss of
efficiency, and wages, and good will
Atchison Globe.
JEFF DAVIS PARASITES.
1t was a great speech that the Hon.
jeff Davis of Arkansas made in the
house recently.
The Honorable JEFF led up to his eli
max with modesty and discretion. No
one suspected what was coming. 1t was
a thrilling moment when !
the speaker turned upon his colleagues, |
and in a voice trembling with emotion |
told about those terrible parasites |
jumping at the throat of the govern |
ment.
Imagine the spectacle! Great, grisly |
parasites, growing and gnashing their |
jaws. and hurting them |
selves against the defenseless throat of
the government! The picture is a |
frightful one, and leads up to the inev- !
table question. What is the govern |
ment going to do about it?
Mr. Davis says that the way to |
shake loose from the throat of this |
government the parasites" is to put |
julius Caesar in the White House. We
Judge from this that julius Caesar is |
4 Democrat, and we believe that Mr.. |
Davis suggestion is a good one. Some |
might object on the, ground that julius
Caesar is dead ONE but such a |
suggestion should not deter the Dem
ocrats. The nomination of julius Gaze
sar should be made unanimous.-Salina
Journal