The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-12-15

that certain bills were introduced by
the railroad company for the benefit
of the people We are not saying
either that legislation favorable TO
railroads has cost more in Michigan
than in most other states.
| would like TO be able to- ascertain
the number OF attorneys in the city
of Detroit who are retained by the
railroad interests. | venture the pre-
| diction. the number is several hun
J dred, and they are the most eSpen'
sive talent in the legal profession in
Detroit.
This same condition prevails In
every other city and town. and not
/ one IN twenty OF these attorneys are
/ ever asked TO participate In litiga'
ton. They are simply kept on the
STAFF because OF certain influence. and
what they are supposed TO be able ia
deliver, politically and otherwise,
should circumstances require.
All this lobby expense and 80 per
cent OF the attorneys fees could be
saved If it were the policy and in
terest of the railroads to live within
the law.
In short article we are obliged to
make big jumps, so now We are al
the capitol at Washington. But this
I is too big a proposition to make esti
( mates on. The fees and "favors
handed out TO influence legislation
against the people" we country boys
would say, were big enough to choke
an OK" This. outside OF maintain
ing the regular lobby, which costs
millions; donations TO both sides and
all sides Of every political contest
except, of course, the insurgent cause
donations to those candidates who
| have proven themselves useful TO the
| interests, and the furnishing Of un-
! limited funds TO conduct campaigns
TO defeat such patriots as Senator
F, LaFollette. and others, fhom the In
terests cannot control.
Let me say that the highest paid
mel in the United States, are those
who are sent to your capital by the
corporations to influence your legis-
laLion.
Another big expense is the control
OF the press. An army of the best
brains in that line Of work, is hired
by the interests. You can't blame
the fellows. It's big money and easy
y.
OF society is all alluring. sub
sidized press is far from cheap
thing Furnishing such reading as
will be absorbed by the public and
serving the interests is one OF the
big branches of the work necessary
for the corporations to maintain
don't mean to say that the railroads
are the only ones who resort 10 this.
Far from IL. Watch for sugar and
ship subsidy articles about now. Other
interests will show UP at the oppor-
tune time.
But I must confine myself 10 the
railroads.&c. account for the waste
of million a day"
| haven't made reference TO any
thing like crookedness in the opera
ton of the railroad business, but very
recently stealings to the extent OF
several millions was exposed in the
repair department OF the Illinois Cen
tral Ry. Further investigation was
hushed up through fear OF the effect
of such disclosures on the stock quo.
tat;ons of the road
The argument set forth in this ar
ticle has never been used before TO
m knowledge.
| have no desire to copyright IL.
nor object TO its being used as many
times. or i'm any maner 1t will serve
To awaken the public as to the true
situation.
Just want TO say all this misap-
propriated money comes out OF YOU.
and believe " is a MILLION DOL
LARS 4 DAY.