Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1910-09-23
TO WAGE War
ON RAILROADS
TOPEKA RATE CONFERENCE no
OPPOSE HIGHER CHARGES.
WILL DEMAND The TRUTH


By Associated Press
Topeka, KAN Sept 22.-Organ2ed
opposition to proposed increased rates
by the railroads was begun today at
the conference Of over one hundred
and fifty representatives Of CONNER
cial and public organizations Of the
middle Western states, called by
Governor Stubbs and held in Repre-
sentative Hall.
The light against the proposed rates
10 be carried principally before the
Interstate Commerce Commission
Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska,
Missouri Iowa, Minnesota and llli-
nos were represented at the confer
ence.
Resolutions will demand decrease
Of the rates If the investigation shows
that the present rates are too high
restriction of the proposed advance
In rates, If present rates are found
renumerative, mandatory federal
law making II the duty of the Inter
state Commerce Commission 10 make
physical valuation Of railroad prop
erty and the rigid enforcement Of
the antitrust laws,
The meeting was opened at II
o'clock and an outline of the cOndi-
lions reviewed by Governor Stubbs
and made by him a prepared speech.
Governor Stubbs recounted his ef-
forts to keep down the rates ana
told of the cost of building a railroad
and gave the excuses offered by the
railroads for the advancing of the
rates
MY hope" he declared 'is that
this meeting win demand from the
railroad the naked truth about their
prOperiies."
Murdo Mckenzie. president of the
American Live Stack Association, was
made chairman of the meeting lie
gave figures to show railroad earn
Ings. declaring that the railroads
reports do not show them CORRECTLY
II is planned to hold other meetings
of the conference later and commit
tees were appointed to push the work
already started.
The governor said:
This conference was called to dis
cuss ways and means to protect the
Interests Of the producer, consumer
shipper and public generally In th'
Middle West from an advance NJ
freight rates lnvtdved in The most nm
portant ease that has ever been heard
by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission.
THE principal railroad system OF
the United states have combined for
the purpose of advancing freight rates
ON a scale never before known In the
history of this country.
"The people demand nothing short
of a bona fide valuation Of all rail-
road property" continued Stubbs
"and public officials who represent
the consumer. producer. shipper and
general public will be criminally neg
ligent II they do not avail them
selves of this opportunity to assist
the Interstate Commerce Commission
10 make searching investigation 70
determine the actual value Of all rail-
roads of the United States.
Congress should Immediately en-
act law providing for a physical
valuation of railroads by the Inter
state Commerce Commission before
the general advance in railroads rates
Is permitted.
"The general policies of the rail.
roads throughout the country is &c
favor larger centers and build NJ
great cities at the expense of rura
communities. This Is little Jess thar
crime against civilization. such u
policy robs hundreds Of thousands OF
children of the natural right to
wholesale surroundings, sunshine
pure air and healthy social conditions
II also encourages the abnormal de-
velopment IN great cities where crime
and shame find convenient shelter
THE true policy should be to sc
regulate transportation rates that ru.
raj districts will be developed and
the population normally distributed.