The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-01-22
MISSOURI |
R A [ E
CASES
Gov. HadIey Argues for
State, Judge Spencer
for Railroads

Kansas City. Jan. 22-Governor
Herbert S. Hadley made the principal
argument here today for the state in
the Missouri rate cases, and a great
array of railroad attorneys and others
were on hand to hear him. Judge o.
NJ. Spencer of st. Joseph, Mo. general
solicitor of tho Chicago, Burlington &.
Quincy, was the leading argument of
the day for the railways. Governor
Hadley asserted that the proposed
freight rates were reasonable, and
that II the railroads would stop dis
with the two-cent law. Judge Spencer
declared that the laws came about as
the result Of political conditions. and
not from any public demand or public
necessity.
Governor Hadley said in part
THE railroads have demonstrated
the falsity OF their contention by their
unquestioned prosperity during the
course of the last ten years.
"The railroads have themselves DEM
onstrated the reasonableness of the
two-cent fare If they would stop IS
suing passes and discriminating be-
tween those who are best able TO pay
as against those who are least able
to do so, they could easily comply with
the two-cent law. If. in ten years, with
an increase Of passenger traffic of ap-
proximately 100 per cent and an In
crease In equipment and mileage of
but q per cent. the railroads are not
abundantly able to comply with these
laws reducing freight and passenger
rates. then they have demonstrated
that they are hot nearly so efficient as
operators as they are as Witnesses.
Judge Spencer said in part.
This Is not a fight against Mis-.
souri, but a fight for Missouri The
railroads have made Missouri the
fifth state in the union anIif let alone,
will help her go -nearer-the top OF the
list
The maximum freight law under
! consideration, came about as the re-
suit OF political conditions and not
from any public demand OF public
necessity.
"It followed as such laws usually
do, the agitation Of reform and the
change In party power. 1t came into
existence In Missouri about the time
the mysterious stranger made its ap-
peaIance in Missouri For the first
time In thirty years, the political par
ties changed power In this state. The
new party cast around to see what
action 1t might take to render Itself
popular with the people, and, Without
cause or reason, assailed the railroads
with this maximum rate law. follow
Ing this later with the two-cent law
Kansas City, Jan. 22.-When Mr..
Lathrop took the picture to the
Judges bench and after showing 1t TO
the court. turned 1t towards the over
crowded court room, cheers broke out
and the spectators applauded for nearly
a minute.
visibly affected Governor Hadley
arose and accepted the picture.
He said
"It is a source OF the greatest salts
faction that after four years Of service
for the people as attorney general
they thought had made good enough
to make me their governor. may
represent the party at whose head
stands the Mysterious stranger. but
nv administration as governor VIII
not be an administration for the
mysterious stranger but an admins
tration for Missourians."
Judge o. M. Spencer of St Joseph.
Mo. followed Mr.. Hadley. He said IL
there had to be mysterious strang-
er" In the Missouri state house be
was glad II was Herbert Hadley.
Ibid You vote for him2' inquired
Judge Mcpherson.
Il did not" answered Judge Spen-
Ger.
"Then you are like Andrew Carnegie
and free trade" said the Judge.
You're for 1t after 1t no longer affects
You"
81 want to say concluded Judge
Spencer. that we'll take care OF the
mysterious stranger next time