Evening journal., 1910-12-16
THE RAILROAD AGITATIoN.

HOSE who had hoped that the agitation
- about railroad rates would SubSde, believing
that il was time for a rest likely to be dis
appointed for there is no sign in the west shat
we shall have a rest. The most active organization
that has been waging a crusade against the rail
road companies is the Illinois Manufacturers AS
sociation, composed not of "demagogues" as some
OF the most rabid pro-railroad newspapers would
have us believe, when they say that all criticisms
OF railroads come from "demagogues,' but a body
of intelligent and determined business men,
The association held its annual dinner in Chi
cago the other evening and the railroads we're Wig
orously attacked. There was no letup. OF
course Governor Sttibbs of Kansas has been noted
for his assault the railroad companies and other
alleged, monopolies and it was not at all Surpris-
ing that he should cali on the courts to punish
corporation officials who violate the laws and
Stubbs says, set themselves higher than the laws
of the land"
No less bitter than Stubs was President Moves
of the Illinois Association who attacked the COM
panies for taxing the public to recoup losses
through conspiraces Of dishonest employees He
also charged the companies with wasting revenues
because of poor management Evidently he is
converted TO the Brandeis idea that the railroads
are not scientifically" managed Governor-eect
Woodrow Wilson of New Jersey one Of the Npeak-
ers, added TO the general assault by declaring that
the railroads in their modern business methods
violated both moral and statutory laws" No
doubt the managers of the railroad corporations
will begin to wonder what sort of deal was
handed to them by the voters of New Jersey
when they elected Mr. Wilson governor
There is, however, another side to the story,
a side that will be considered by thoughtful per-
sons when the railroad matter is discussed Pro-
fessor Laughlin, noted economist holding a
chair at the University Of Chicago, the other day
addressed a meeting of presidents of life nsur-
ancc companies and discussed the relations be-
tween the railroad companies and their investors
Little has been heard OF the investor iH railroad
securities, and not much more has been heard of
the thousands OF men, dependant on the railroad
companies for their living An enormous quantity
of railroad securities is held by life insurance COM
panies, banks and people all of whom are ad-
versey affected by any depreciation in the value
Of such securities
Professor Laughln laid much stress on the ex-
tent which the peoples investments are bound
up with the success OF our railways and corpora
tionS. And it is not to be presumed that sens-
bic persons wish TO see the railroad companies
reduced so that their receipts and earnings are
unreasonably1ow.
What is wanted is reasonable rate and that
IS subject open for argument and discussion II
is subject which will not be decided by The
calamity talk Of the railroad presidents or the
clamor OF those who seek to hamper the railroads
for some supposed political advantage. Fortu-
natey it is a problem that will be solved by the
courts and il is quite certain that justice will
! be done There has been no disposition on the
/ part of the Interstate Commerce Commission
10 deal unfairly with the railroad companies and
we do not fear that such disposition of unfair
ness will develop.
The railroad companies have brought some OF
the trouble on themselves, and at the same zine
many unjust charges have been m8de against
these corporations The problem, however is
most perpeXing but the stir in the west shows
that there will be no halting of discussion Of
question which it seems only a Commerce Court
will be athletic decide with reasonable satisfaction
so all concerned. So many conflicting interests
are bound up in the entire subject that il has
become one of the most important questions OF
our public life.