The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-10-10
ERON OTHER PENS
pEsPoTL AND DIVIDE.

Four great organizations of railroad
employees have instructed their chief
executives to beg the interstate COM
merce commission to permit the gem
eral raising of freight rates. They
have done this with the prospect and
promise of higher wages. In the in
ception of the movement which has
led up to this decision Western rail-
road managers have cynically accepted
a share. In effect, the men and the
managers have made common cause
against the public.
In common with. other workingmen
who suffer from the rapidly rising cost
of living, railroad employees need
higher wages. They earn and deserve
them. They may have correctly judg-
ed that it Is easier to get them out
of the general public than in any 9TH
er way. But the easiest way is not the
best.
The rate raising scheme was devils
ed to provide adequate return for vast
issues of watered securities put out in
the last ten years and to pave the way
for more such issues in the future. It's
success would put a million dollars
into the pockets Of railway stock own
ers now, and Heaven knows how
much more in years to come.
There is no shadow of excuse for
general rate raising. In dozen years
the money paid by railroads in inter-
est and bonds, usually representing
ment, has increased 81 per cent The
money paid in dividends on stocks,
which usually represent originally
bonus and are now mainly held by
manipulators, has risen 1874 per cent.
Both gross and net earnings in 1909
were much above even those of 1907.
Thus far 1910 has shown still further
heavy increases Bigger cars, strong
er engines, SITTER bridges and lower
gradients mean more economical oper-
alton. By these improveme rail-
road men are enabled to do more work
than they did and to earn more money.
But what a magnificent example of
the workings of government regula-
ton! The railroad magnateS supply
the arguments and the influence. The
workmen have the votes. The govern
ment need only seal the arrangement
with its proper approval. And the peo-
ple-they can pay.-New York World.
GOSSIP ABOUT THE KAISER.
If anybody doubts the wide range Of
Kaiser WilheIm's activity, let his
doubling cease. That the Kaiser has
the qualifications to be man of war
is demonstrated by the rigorous regi-
men to which he subjects himself dur
ing participation in the periodical
maneuvers of the army. He bivouacs
with the troops, sleeping in the open
air on the bare ground, wrapped in
a patent waterproof blanket. His con-
tempt of comfort sets a good example
to the soldiers. But he does not stop
at this. He is not sparing of criticism
when it is provoked.
The Kaiser is as active as ever in di-
recting affairs of peace. He is carry
ing on his ezra Gotta industry Ever
and anon he is making to artists and
scholars suggestions which in many
instances have the force of commands.
True he has kept out of Biblical con-
troversy of late. At present he is en-
gagged in regulating the costumes Of
ballet dancers. The Kaiser has de-
creed that ballet dancers at the I'm
perial Opera House shall not appear
in tights or make ravishing exhibitions
of dainty lingerie. They are to be clad
in long, flowing garments The ballet
girls are said to be disconsolate, be-
cause the new rule makes it difficult
for them to hold public attention,
much more SO to attract applause
Milwaukee Wisconsin.