Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-09-29
(By Associated Press. )

KANSAS CITY, Mo-. Sept. T.-That
the future of the United states as an
agricultural country depends upon clos
err relation between the farmer and the
Hailreads was the -sist or anSaudress DC.
fore the national conservation congress
here by Herbert quick. Of Madi-
son, Iowa, editor OF a farm journal.
Mr. Quick said, while the relations be-
tween the farmers and the railroads arc
not always amicable, 1T was the farmers
who really built the railroads and were
then neatly beaten out of their inter
ests."
Mr.. Quick placed emphasis upon
freight rates as an index not only 70
the farmers profit, but to the general
cost of living. He charged that rail-
ways in fixing rates often connived with
great population centers to the detr1-
ment of smaller cities and the country
in general t
Mr.. Quick enumerated several in
stances of cooperation between farmer
and railway, of the introduction of i'm
proved breeds of live stock along the
lines Of his -system by President Hill,
of the Great Northern, of the maintain
ing of demonstration farms on Long
Island by the Pennsylvania, and OF the
running of educational trains for The
purpose of bringing agricultural science
into touch with the farmers. Railway
aid to agriculture, he said. has grown to
be a fashion.
But all these fine things" he con-
tinued, Aave been done and are still be-
ing done with an eye single to tonnage.
We may trust the enlightened selfish
ness of God business to push this sort
OF activity to the limit of its profit.
N. l. ~ -rVr TO-
90 the railways owe any duty to the
farms beyond what they are now per-
forming? This phase has yet to be
worked out.
THE greatest transportation fact
faced b. the American people is the
problem f developing remote parts Of
the country. If the building of a ma
tional system or waterways be resorted
to, the aid of the railways must still be
demanded IL success is to be obtained.
THE railways of the United States
have enormously retarded agricultural
Developments and added to the expense
Of living. by permitting the Judgment
In our transportation system of that in
dustrial parasite, the express company.
The express companies perform practi-
caIly no functions which do not belong
to the railways. Every dollar OF tho
huge profits which the express compa-
MES make is a buroen upon industry,
unnecessary and unjust.
"The farmer must be placed IN such
condition that he can work up trade an
the city and ship in small packages 10
the consumer at just rates."
MATTER OF RATE MAKING.
Mr.. Quick then took up the matter or
rate making in the interests of national
development. AS regards national
questions. he said, the railways must De
enlisted in such. policies is may be die
tated by patriotism.
1.-The whole structure of rates." he de-
clared, '.as they now exist is devised to
favor the long haul to and from market
and make up with reference to the de-
mand of certain trade centers, and GER
tain powerful financial interests, some
of which are closely allied to ownership
of the railway" He referred to the his
tory of rates on the border line between
the gulf trade basin and the territory
of the railways running to Chicago and
the Atlantic ports. The farmers of Okla
homa, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and
much other territory he said, are en-
titled to the near outlet by way of the
gulf The battle, he declared, was
fought out not along lines best for the
nation but with sole reference to the
Interests of railways.
THE building of the gulf line was
robbed of its benefits to the farmer.
Rates were so adjusted. and still are
as to make the gulf lines as bad for the
farmer as the Atlantic lines. instead of
making the old lines as good as the
new should be. The present railway
situation is full of such anomalies"
lone can scarcely conceive" Mr.. Quick
said, ''of such complete development in
Iowa, Nebraska, the Dakotas. or Okla
homa, as has been attained in some Eu-