Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-01-26
RAILROADS BOOM The WEST
General Solicitor Of the Union Pacific
Tells Of Money Spent.
ROADS SOLVE MAEY PROBLEMS
Make Low Rates Tor the LonR Haul on
Producers Of the west May
Compete with Eastern
Farmers.

Farmers.
Modern Transportation Methods" was
the subject 81 an address by n. n Loon1is.
general solicitor for the Union Pacific rail.
way company. at the Land Show last night.
He spoke Of the work which the rail-
roads are doing toward the development OF
the country the part that the railroads
are playing IN the movement given visual
form by the Omaha Land show
This 10 an occasion on which the rail
roads and the people meet IN common
ground" said Mr. LOOMS. they are
equally interested in the development OF
the gerat empire OF the west and are
actuated by the same impulse in their ef-
forts TO advertise the wonderful resources
and the boundless possibilities OF the
country west OF tho Mississippi river.
The exhibits installed In this build
ing show what has already been sc-
compllshed In inducing nature to part with
a small portion Of its bountiful store OF
riches: but the work has only been started; ;
the surface OF the soil has only been
scratched. with modern scientific methods
OF production. the output Of our farms
and ranches and mines and forests should
be quadrupled within the near future. and
the population OF this western country
proportionately increased. In this progress
slve work the railroads are interested
equally as much as the residents Of this
fertile land; and do not believe you will
disagree with my statement when ! say,
more so, because the railroads are here to
stay. they are permanent fixtures. II crops
should fail and hard times should come, II
the grasshopper should again make the
land desolate, you could sell out and leave
the country but the railroads would have
TO stay They are a part Of the land
almost to the same extent as the streams
which irrigate your lands or drain your
fields.
Tells Of Union Pacific.
1T is said that actions speak louder than
words, and to show you by this method
of proof that the railroads believe In the
future of this western country let me call
your attention to a weT-known fact in
connection with the Union Pacific railroad.
When the road was in the hands Of re-
cevers and II was a serious problem as to
how funds were TO be raised to pay the
Indebtedness of the road to the govern
ment, some OF the officials Of the COM
pany advocated the wisdom Of turning the
property over TO the United States to
satisfy Its claim. But upon the reorganIza-
ton Of the properties in 1898 the men who
came into control looked over the situa-
ton and Immediately made arrangements
TO spend In the rebuilding OF the lines a
sum OF money greatly in excess Of the
amount due the government at the time
the foreclosure suit was filed.
Since the reorganization OF the Union
Pacific there has been spent in the better
ment OF its properties more than $4,000, OOO
This would seem to Indicate an abiding
conviction in the future prosperity OF the
country traversed by its lines. l speak
of the amount expended by the Union Pa
cifio because 1 have the figures at hand.
Vast amounts have also been expended
for similar purposes by the Northwestern,
the Burlington and other railroad systems
serving this western territory.
Advertise the West.
THE railroads have also been alive to
the necessity OF letting the world know
what a magnificent territory was trav-
ersed by their lines, and have spent mil
lions Of dollars in directly advertising the
advantages of Kansas, Nebraska, Colo
rado, Wyoming, California, Oregon, Wash
ington and other transmssissippi states.
During the present fiscal year the Union
Pacific will have spent approximately
$4,000 for that purpose, including adver-
tisements in magazines and newspapers.
Among other things done to advertise this
country was the employment Of an ex-
perienced lecturer TO talk daily to the
crowds Of people who gathered at Earl's
Court, London, great amusement resort,
which resulted In many inquiries for in
formation as TO western lands.
Railroad literature giving in the most
attractive form the advantages OF the
country we are all interested in is sent
TO every portion Of the globe. and a few
moments work in the files Of the passenger
department of the Union Pacific brought
to light letters OF inquiry from England
Scotland Germany Russia, Italy, Bohemia
Turkey, ASIA Africa South America Aus
tralia, Cuba, Panama and the Philippine
Islands.
After the railroads began to be extended
west OF the Missouri river and the emf.
grafton from the east began to pour in,
great apprehension was entertained as 10
the ability OF the western farmer to gel
his crops to market; the haul was so Ions
that many we'll informed people though,
that the cost Of sending grain TO the sea
board would be 80 great that the farmers
west OF the Mississippi could not begin to
compete with those living within a radius
OF 400 miles from the Atlantic senports
IL was argued that the only salvation FOR
the western farmer was the establishment,
oA eTeAt manufacturing districts close a.
hand, to Furnish market for his products
such thing as exporting the products OF
the country beyond the Missouri river was
not thought OF. But the railroads solved
the problem by disregarding the matter OF
distance and putting in a low through rate
"A rate which the traffic would bear-ant
although the eastern farmers raised a
great outcry and claimed that rates from
points 900 miles from market should h.
three times as great as from points 4O
miles distant, the railroads maintained
their stand and the rates put in by them
were most important factors in the develop
ment Of the west
We are with you IN this important work
and II our hands are not tied too tight by
legislative measures you can count upor
inc railroads doing their fun share OF IN,
work OF advertising and building up tbi,
wonderful western country. OF which ",
are so proud"