The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-06-02
Rock Island Employees Magazine
Takes Bold Stand.
Warns Railroad Men Against
Present Peanut Politics."
"BREAD AND BUTTER .
Editor Tells Employees to Vote
for Their Home Interests.
other Items of General Interest
in Railroad World.

Men in Topeka railroad circles are
talking about the political editorial that
recently came out in the Rock Island
employees Magazine for June. This
editorial Was a clear definition of the
POLITICAL situation in Kansas at this
time and was gentle hint to the rail-
road men of the Rock Island to watch
their chance and vote for the best in
tereSts of their road
That the votes cast in favor of the
railroads was a vote for their own
homes, their bread and butter" and
to their own interests was the advice
given by the magazine-and railroad
men as whole are very partial to
what is written in their magazine.
1t is time to call a halt on the cease
less attack on the railroads. is a sem
tence in the editorial that gives the
! text of the advice from the railroad ed
itor. Then the article goes on and ad-
viseS that the men confer with their
officials and with the railroad men be-
| fore they cast their vote at the next
election.
It looks as though the Rock Island
vote will be concentrated this summer.
The editorial in part as follows:
Politicians and candidates for pub
lie office are busy all over the country
these days. Political caucuses, primar-
! les and conventions will be held in the
next few weeks. and elections of con-
sequence later in the fall.
1T is important that railroad men
should not only keep this in mind, but
take an active interest and do active
work in connection with these proceed
ings. You are vitality interested in good
government, and, therefore, in the Sc
lection of the right men for the various
public offices. You are particularly in
terested in those men in Office who will
have to do with the control and super
vision of railroads and those who will
be chosen for the legislature. 1t is
time to call halt in the ceaseless at
tacks on railroads. And 1t is in your
power to make your influence felt in
your state in assisting in the nominal
ton OF conservative, honest men who
Will deal fairly with the railroad inter-
ests.
You doubtless will have candidates
who. in their public speeches and pri-
waite talk, Will smoothly assert that they
are the special friend of the poor Ia
boring man. Experience is that such
men are usually dema gogues, sfifty
and insincere. Look up the record of
each candidate. Ascertain whether he
is promising all sorts of impossible re-
forms. Such men are generally unsafe.
end their tendency is to GAUGE hard
times. s-
'In these days when the railroads are
attacked from every quarter your in
terest is to stand by the industry that
who attacks the railroad attacks you
and your bread and butter. We advise
all employees to confer with each other
and talk with officers of the company
who may know the situation as you may
not. Canvass the merits of each can
didate. Don't vote for a fellow who is
attempting to ride into Office by at
tacks on railroads. On the contrary.
vote for the quiet, safe. conservative
man who makes no spectacular prom
ises. but whom you and your associates
know to be honest and fair.
I'm many states candidates for rail-
read commissioners are to be selected.
Some OF the candidates are anxious for
the Office that they may harass the rail-
roads and use the notoriety thus OBJ
tanned as a means of advancing their
own political ambitions. The selection
of such men is as hostile to your in
terest ss to the railroads themselves.
Every unjust burden cast upon the
railway company, every reduction OF its
revenue and every additional tax upon
its property renders the railway COM
pany less able to improve its property
or advance your wages.
$50 we say to every railroad man,
whatever his position, that you ought
to look into the situation carefully and
then vote for men who you believe will
enforce the laws impartially, giving the
railroad industry the same considera-
ton that they give other interests of
1p0rtance.''