The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-02-22
What Shall Be Done With Rail-
way Corporations?
This Question Discussed by J. d,
nj. Hamilton of Santa Fe.
DEMAND THE SERVICE
People Want Fast Trains, Good
Equipment and Safety.
other Items of General Inter-
est in Traffic World.

''The people of this government are
in the greatest crisis of it's existence,
as to what should be done with the
railway corporations" said ]. D. M
Hamilton, claims attorney for the
Atchfson. Topeka & Santa Fe Railway
company, headquarters in Topeka. 1t
is a question that is mooted in our
congressional and legislative halls; It
has found it's way into the political
arena, and is now voiced in one form
or another by numerous political par
ties that are seeking the suffrage OF
the people.
"The rapid stride of railway progress
has been magical. Its colossal attain
ments have astounded the old world
No other industrial pursuit has stretcn-
ed its progressive mind with sucn
rapidity. Not only in our country, put
alike in other countries, 1t mas peen
the advance guard of civilization. II
has linked us into one commercial
center, and with the aid of the tele-
graph and telephone, into one people,
uniting and welding our interests
solidly together. to the mutual au-
vantage of not one,-but all.
with the multiplying of railways,
consolidation of small lines into large
systems, extending to all points OF the
compass; with classifying and sys-
tematizing, it has produced one OF the
most prominent industrial adjuncts CT
the government
.oThe people of the country are de-
manding good service and in order to
attain such service it must be paid for
and this must come from the patrons
of railways. The day has gone TOR
slow trains, poor track, inadequate
equipment, uncomfortable cars, SLOW
deliv v of the commodities of car
riage If the investment of the money
of the people placed in railway Sc
riIritiee shall be deprived of fair inter-
est or eventually wiped out, and II by
enactment of any laws the railways OF
this country shall be made the scape-
goat of such unwarranted and UNJUST
legislation I fear the service that the
public receives today will not be as 1t
is. and the cry will go forth for the re-
turn Of the present day transportation
facilities.
TT appears that it is uppermost in
the mind of some of those who seek
Office to prolong this unv-9rranted at
tack based as 1t is upon prejudice
Nothing can be gained by inf1aming
the minds of the voter and if such tao
tics are pursued it is unjust and I'M
fair and seeks to injure the property
of the owner.
Railway transportation is as much
of a necessity in serving the public in
the carriage of people, products or the
farm, mill, factory, mine, ETC., as any
other commercial pursuit. 1t has been
and will be recognized for the purpose
Of developing the country, granting
employment to over two millions Of
lGborers. who must earn their daily
bread by the sweat of their brows and
yielding an honest return on the mon
ey invested. All creatures of the state,
are Subservient to it's laws, and the
authority so granted should in nowise
be abused. 1t is the purpose of our
government. and for which it was Gre
ated, that all laws should be Just,
equitable and fair, and applied with
equality to ALL A law that particu-
larly aims at one class and discrim-
mates against another is a vicious law.
No people can make a success of their
undertaking without the aid of rail-
ways, nor can railways be successful
without the hearty cooperation of the
people. The only solution of this de-
batable question is a unison of action
by the railways its employees the
people, and the government.
1T is true that rebates were granted
in the past, but con- ress has passed
n law doing away with this unwise
practice. 1t was not more the fault
of the railway than the shipper, but
vides a penalty of fine or imprison-
ment, or both, for any violation, and
such acts are not and should not be
encouraged. If the law in this respect
is not strong enough, make it strong
er. If violated, let the law take it's
course and the guilty receive their
punishment. Railways are just as
anxious to obey the law as the citizen.
They do not ask for favoritism, but
they appeal for justice, and in this dis
turbed political battle that is now be-
ing waged throughout the length and
breadth of our land, let us study con-
Eervatism. Acts rashly done availeth
nothing"