The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1913-08-14

freight and then sets about to en-
courage an increase in farm tonnage
next year, but now these mighty
agencies of commerce are looking to-
ward the marketing side of the far
mers' problems and the common car
rier never faced more golden oppor-
tunities than now confront him.
A Good Servant.
The common carriers are public
servants and like all faithful labo-
rers, should endeavor to render more
than a mechanical service. The serv-
ant who does only what he is COM
PEELED to do, will never gain favor
with his employer. To be worthy of
esteem and merit promotion, our
public servants must do something
more than work out court sentences.
Ability, efficiency and vision will al
ways receive a prompt reward.
The common carrier can make no
better financial investment than to
establish market bureau for the in
formation of the producer and he
could not do more to popularize his
services than by bringing the buyer
and the seller closer together. He
possesses the machinery, the facili-
ties and the ability for rendering a
most useful service to associate in
dustries. The farmer asks no fav-
ors, but is seeking only cooperation
on basis profitable to all parties
engaged in the transaction. On no
other foundation can business be per
manently built
The Nations business is suffering
from industrial selfshness. We need
to study eacn others problems and
understand our relationship and
recognize community responsibilities.
We should get closer together.
The PIow Handles Make us All Kin.
The condition now confronting
our transportation systems is one
that justifies the deep concern of
every producer and makes the high
est call upon the intelligence of our
citizenship. Our common carriers
have made mistakes. They have
endeavOred to become masters and
sit in the councils of the great and
they have paid the penalty for get
ting out of their place. They are
the teamsters of civilization and be-
long in the servants quarters. The
politician has been making a saddle
horse out of the common carrier and
riding into office; the courts have, in
some instances, whipped him repeat
edly and the commissioners have cut
down his ratiOns, but he will never
have peace of mind or ease of body
until he returns to the barnyard
and eats out of the hand of his mas
ter-the producer. He will then be
properly protected, sheltered, clothed
and fed and given such privileges
and favOrs as belong to faithful and
efficient servants.
The heads of those great institu-
lions, whose giant intellects ilIumi-
nate the pathways of commerce,
should come back to the soil and
renew their acquaintance with Moth
er Earth. They should occasionally
swing a scythe, WELD an axe and
pillow a round or two so as not go
forget their raising. A touch of the
pillow handles makes us all kin. The
heads of great railroads cannot look
out of private car window and
comprehend our problems; neither
can they acquire understanding by
sending a messenger with standing
collar and long title to make type
written reports. The heads of these
institutions must get back to the soil
and take hold Of the pillow handles
if they want to feel the heart-throb
of agriculture.