The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-07-03

OF stagnation and disintegration and
the government viii then take the rail-
roads,
Sees DOWNFALL OF the Republic.
And what will happen?' I asked.
we shall see the downfall of the re-
public" Mr. Ripley replied, without any
show OF feeling. You know It," he said.
turning to me and speaking emphatically.
Every thoughtful and intelligent man
knows 1t" he added. Government own
ership Of our railroads, In the present
state Of our politics. and with our present
kind Of public men would cause the
Downfall Of the nation. 1 have carefully
gone over the matter in my own mind
and I am expressing my deliberate Judg-
ment
Yes" Mr Ripley went on TO say. II
have lived through changes OF methods
in the operation OF railroads and through
changes Of public sentiment toward the
railroads. Some one has said that man
IS only grateful for what he expects, and
not for what he has already obtained.
To the lonely farmer with only q wagon
and yoke of oxen. or a team OF horses
for his freight, and a drive OF many
railroad was a blessing longed for and
joyfully accepted Corn and wheat, by
the magic Of quick. cheap, and easy
transportation, could be exchanged for
shoes. cloth, and the common essen
tials of human existence. Land that
was useless was put TO the plow The
value Of property was multiplied many
times
Managers OF railroads understood that
they needed loads for their empty cars.
They were business men and not philan-
threpists, but their work was highly
beneficial 10 mankind, Just the same.
Every constructive blow they struck for
their roads helped those who lived or
owned land or were engaged In business
along their lines. The Santa Fe com
pany. typical of large railroad corpora
lions in general, has colonization agents
to bring new men into new communi-
ties and to turn barren stretches into
orchards, gardens. and blooming fields.
Dry-farming is being taught by scientific
agriculturists, and occasionally money
is loaned for the purchase of seed and
implements. We also have an Industrial
department, that capital and opportunity
may be combined to. build factories, open
mines. and give remunerstfve employ
ment TO willing men.
Helps Develop Industries.
1--WE helped to develop the manufacture
| Of cement in the eastern tier of counties
in Kansas. There were limestone and
gas in that part Of the country, cheap
material and fuel, and when the gas gave
out there was plenty Of oil. More cement
is being produced in Kansas than is
haFr,ar
told. 1t has been the same with sugar.
| In the great Arkansas Valley, east of
Pueblo, in Colorado, were hundreds of
thousands of rich acres, dead. however,
for the want OF rain. We encouraged
Irrigation projects at a time when every
one knew much less about digging bitches
than is the case at present Waste land
became productive. and FIVE modern
plants are manufacturing sugar In that
region to-day. Farmers are making
money on beets, the preprietors of the
factories are getting profit on their
sugar. and the Santa Fe Railroad Is haul
ing the freight.
And while the owners and managers
of our transportation systems have been
busy in developing the commerce, the
agriculture. and the industries OF the ma
ton, politicians in our State legislatures
ana IN Congress nave been hectoring us
with injurious legislation-and enaeting II
into law at times-and infiaming the
passions Of the people against us and the
interests We represent. When we say
that our business cannot stand the perse-
cution OF the politicians. we are accused
of lying. even though the government
sends agents into our Offices and knows
al the facts from an examination of our
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