The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-02-10
POINT TO COLQUlTT
.ss--
Attitude of of Texas Governor
Interests Railroad Men.
First to Call Halt on Anti Rail-
road Legislation.
BARTO THEPROGRESS.
Development Hampered by
Lack OF Railroads.
Hostile Legislation Prevents
Extension of Lines.

The published statement of Governor
Colquitt of Texas that there is too
much anti-railroad legislation has al
tracted attention over the middle
west, especially among railroad men,
In Kansas the legislature has under
, consideration more than 20 bills for the
regulation of railroads. Governor Col.
fGuitt," says a railroad man, is th9
first executive to sound warning
that the continued agitation for mora
law to regulate the common carriers
may interfere with the development OF.
the resources of the comparatively new
sections of the country
Governor Colquitt was promoted TO
his present position from the Texas
railway commission where he served
many years. AS, commissioner he
was active in the enforcement of the
laws, and the railroads regarded him
as q radical.
Half of the great area of Texas IS
without transportation facilities, and
little railroad building is in progress
said ]. R. Koontz, general freight
agent of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa
FeS Rail way company, yesterday, but.
wherever a new line is constructed.
land value goes up from practically
nothing to the prices which prevail in
developed territory generally through
out the west. This has been demon
strated fully in the Plainview and
Coleman districts lately openc7 up by
the Santa Fe. The condition stated is
cited by Governor Colquitt and he eX-.
presses himself as convinced that the.
railroads are ready and willing to do
more building in Texas, if permitted to
earn a reasonable return on their ill.,
vestment.
And Oklahoma, Too.
"Oklahoma," Mr.. Koontz continued.
lis clamoring for additional transpor-
tation facilities to. develop the coun--
1oJ1f 11n T.ai1 ra
hampered by adverse legislation TO
such an extent that thew canot afford
to build new lines. Every railroad
operating in Oklahoma has planned ex-
tensions, but not a single building pro-
ject has been carried out for five
years.
western Kansas is similarly sit
uated. With the exception of % miles
of new road from Garden City to
Scott City, all railway extension in
that part of the state has been held.
up The railroads contend that they
are forced to keep close to the shore
because of the constant agitation for
more regulation"Tt
Every railroad official in Kansas
authorized tes te sas SAYS. his company.
sas.. - The pFOspsaitssse of one. he ar
CUES, means the prosperity of the 9TH
er. and hard times for one means hard
times for the other. One railroad COM
DdDy-IIlS santa 6G--ldS f6SIdDll5neu d
department whose mission is to bring
about a closer relationship between the
corporation and the people with whom
it does business. The Santa Fe, say
the officials, through its new depart
ment, has gone long way toward the
adjustment of differences with it's pat
rons without the aid of additional laws.
Good for Kansas.
The railroads are calling attention to
the stand they take in favor of good
roads, immigration, the introduction of
new methods in agriculture and stock
raising, and the establishment of new
mercantile and manufacturing indus
tries. "This is all good business for the
railroads. said General Freight Agent
Koontz, ''but at the same time it is
a good thing for Kansas. The public
must see that the influence of the rail-
roads in this direction has enabled the
state to make rapid strides along the
ready and willing to keep at it.
1.-The railroads Insist that they are
not opposing regulation but they ask
that they be not regulated unreason-
ably They point out that with the
federal law on one hand. and the con-
hicting laws of the several states on
the other, they already are hampercd
in the performance of the duties they
| owe the public and their stockholders,
and additional regulation, such as is
contemplated by the 20 or more bills