The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1912-02-08
ASK SQUARE DEAL.

attitude toward railroad corporations
having lines in South Dakota, and
asking that radical railroad legisla-
ton cease, so that there will be a
better feeling between the people of
the state and the railway systems,
DR.. w. G. Smith, for thirteen years a
member of the state board of rail-
road commissioners, expects to be
severely criticized by the radical anti
railroad element says a Sioux Falls
dispatch. But his appeal is for the
consideration of the more ~conserva-
tive residents of the state, with a
view to improving relations between
the people and the railroads so they
can work together for the upbuilding
of the state, instead of antagonizing
each other, as has been the case the
past few years.
South Dakota" he says, has more
than thirty suits in the state and
federal courts against the common
carriers, not counting the many cases
in the past fifteen years. Can you
name a single suit won by the state
that has been fought through the
court of last resort? Don't blame the
able attorneys who have represented
the state; they have been honest and
energetic in their prosecution, ever
anxious to win the suit for the state
and fame for themselves. Yet, if you
could get an honest expression from
them with the assurance that It would
not be used against them POLITICALLY, l
feel certain they would say: Let up
on the railroad litigation and be a
little more conservative; the railroads
have some rights
THE attorneys know that diplo-
macy on the part of the commission
and the desire Of the railroads to keep
out Of court, as well as their desire
to gain the good will Of the people,
has gained more in the past than all
the litigation which has resulted from
political agitation.
Don't take it for granted that I
believe in no legislation. believe in
just and equitable legislation, legisla-
ton that the attorney general has
some show to enforce; legislation that
is not for political effect, but legisla-
ton that is the result of thorough in
vestigation and information, gathered
by experts from every source, includ-
ing the common carriers books.
"What South Dakota needs, how
ever, Is not legislation that tends to
the destruction of corporations and
railroads, but comprehensive states
manlike regulation which will prevent
skillful manipulators robbing the pub
lie of their rights, and at the same
time will tend to develop the indus
tries of our state as well as railroad
construction.
Seldom IL v e have / appealed to
the railroad officials on any matter, af-
ter investigating 1t enough to know
my demand was just, without getting
results; If not all / asked, a liberal
concession"
1t is pointed out by DR.. Smith that
every concession, every reduction in
freight or passenger rates in South
Dakota, and there have been many of
them, have been gained by one or two
methods.
In conclusion DR.. Smith makes an
earnest plea for the promotion Of bet
ter feeling between the people of the
state in general and the railroads hav-
ing lines in Dakota. We need more
railroads for our further development
and that harmonious action will re-
suit in the more speedy development
Of the newer portions of the state.
He expresses the opinion that the
people Of the state can gain more for
themselves by handling these COM
mon carrier matters with the laws
now or the statute books Of South Da-
kota, and by diplomacy and harmony,
and in this way can accomplish more
for the state than by further litiga-
tion In the courts.