The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1910-10-29
Executive of Sunflower State Gives Evidence
for Shippers in Freight Rate Hearing.
TELLS RAILROADS TO STOP JUGGLING OF STOCKS
Gives the Railroad Men Some Pointers How to Con-
sruct Their Lnes---Also Says Roads Should
Not Invest Emergency Surplus in
Permanent Improvements.

Chicago. oct as Presentation or eyi-
dcncc hy the shippers who are uppes-
Ing advance Ill freight rates was con
eluded today before the interstate
commerce commission with the testi-
mony of Governor w. Il. Stubbs. Of
Kansas, who. In characteristic manner,
declared his opposition to an increase
Ia rates ana his belief al practical
builder Of railroads that tho valua-
tlons have been placed too high.
"I'll put up million dollar bond" !"
said the governor, that | can con
sas, an up-to-datc line, too, for s25,-
900 mile and make 10 per cent profit
on the job
The lowest estimate Of railroad
building offered by the railways moro
than doubled the governors estimate.
Governor Stubs was the principal
witness for the shippers. who occu-
pied only three days with their Wit
ncsscs, while the railroads I'm previous
hearings consumed more weeks than
the shippers have days. Tomorrow
the railroads will introduce testimony
to Justify some of the evidence and
statistics already In the case. 1t II
expected the hearing will be completed
tomorrow.
Governor Stubs, time after time
Jumped from tho role of witness Il
that of cross-aucstloner and repeated
ly turned ON the railroad nttorne,
with. Now, want to ask YOU ;
question:"
At one point In the cross-examna
tion by Attorney T. j, Norton Of th'
Santa Fe. Governor Stubs declared
Now, let me tell you something. Their
Is not as much risk In building a rail
road in a good territory ns In starting
a bank. I don't think the railroad
need preferential rates, they can max
money as they are and they shonl'
be run on the same business basis q
bank"
Mr.. Norton asked the witness II h
knew of washout which put TIL
Salt Lake road out Of business 70
| 100 days
Yes, heard of It,. was the gov
ernors reply. II just called attentio
To 1t In connection with your eompnrl
son Of the risk of railroads an
banks" said Mr.. Norton.
We'll. let me give you some lnfor
nation right along that line abou
banks" interjected Governor Stubs
/ t,11 1,t, tlaat "a II
your hair stand up"
! Mr.. Norton diaclaimed any desire I
have the hair stand ua,' and Com
missioner Lane. the top of whose hea
Is smooth. said.
Suppose you tell me tl,at stor,
governor"
The story was lost In the laughte
that followed.
Don't you think, governor wa
another question. that the Santa Il
road Is entitled to the increased valu
Of its properties In Kansas? You q
not deny to the Kansas farmer Il
advance In the price Of his land, =
YES quickly rejoined Goyernt
stnbbs, rising from his chair and EN-
| aoihS bs p}iIthiih
the judges bench. ''Bnt that lant
worth more because Of the honest Il
bor Of men, women and children {
every quarter section Of Kansas lar
and the stock values Of the rairoa
holdings have been ingged and il
flated and | don't know how mue
water there liz In IT,"
Governor Stnbbs repeatedly referr'
to the position taken by Preside
Ripley of the Santa Fe that mark
quotations of railroad stocks was
: fair criterion Of the property values,
! u think President Ripley is
mighty fine fellow" said the go
nor but don't agree with him !
that point. | want the railroads
give to the commission the aetu
cost of the roads and want them
get fair return on their inves
ment.'
Il Later IN the cross examination Go
crnor Subbs again stood up and, pun