The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-10-24
of money. These are few of the
reasons why | am here.
The Public's Side.


reasons why | am here.
The Publie's Side.
My purpose Is Simply 10 help see
that the public's side of these issues
are fully presented to the commission.
IL the carriers are entitled to an In
crease we hope the commission viii
grant Il. If not We trust and believe
that the commission Will deny the pc
tition of the carriers. We favor ad-
vances on such traffic as does not
yield adequate compensation; like
wise We favor reductions where con-
ditions are the reverse. AS to inter
state traffic. IL is the function of our
state commissions to represent the
shippers before this tribunal. This
is established and required by stat
ute. There Is not the slightest spirit
OF hostility in our attitude toward the
railroads. We fully appreciate their
vast Importance in the commercial
life of the nation. So is the prosper
ity of the farmer basic and funda-
mental to the welfare OF the nation.
Likewise, the welfare OF the laboring
man is of tremendous Importance TO
the prosperity of the country. A gen
eral advance OF 10 per cent In wages
during this period of depression, ac-
cording to the pleasing logic we have
been listening TO during the last few
days. would put that much more
money into circulation.
The Third Attempt.
This Is the third time American
railroads have sought to force a gen
eral advance in freight rates. In 1910
they claimed a crisis existed. Instead
OF a crisis. the commission found that
TO be the most prosperous year in the
whole history OF American railroads
In the original five per cent case. bas-
ing their claim on the year 1918. the
claim OF a crisis was again made.
81 fu
crisis in the condition OF the railroads
In official classification territory,
taken as a whole Now. for the third
time the railroads claim there IL a
crisis. Today they have some found
alton for their claim. But this emer-
gency. upon which the carriers are
relying today affects practically all
of US in the same manner. II Is fol-
lowing a period OF marked depression
in business for about a year. subse-
quent 20 the Balkan wars. disturb
ances In Europe and the short crops
OF last year
ut Is Just as hard for the manu-
facturer. the farmer. the laborer. the
telephone company or the beef trust
10 borrow money as u Is for the rail-
roads 10 do 80.
THE railroads are asking for a sort
OF war tax. they are asking the gov
eminent TO .lifi the burden OFF a part
onto the shoulders Of others Tnry
ask the wage Garner. who has lost MA
lob or had his wages reduced. the
cotton planter who cannot sell his
cotton. and the manufacturer who has
been compelled 20 close his shop or
reduce his force. they ask these men
10 carry the burden Of the railroad.
I'm addition 10 their own
Ask Government Aid
"if 10 On right for the government
90 shield the railroads from the Of
fleets n the war. n 10 d. right for the
government 10 lake good the losses
81 people In different induatrics.I am
going 90 propose measure that viii
require every hen In Iowa TO lay an
eRE every day and when she fails 10
DO go. that the government shall make
up 90 the owner OF that hen tho value
~ the eggs she did not lay This viii
enable Tho farmers 10 have more
money with which 90 buy machinery.
This. In turn. VIII make the factories
circulation. and make the crops big
ger and better And why not tar
everybody for The benefit Of every.
body else. aud thereby make every.
body richer How perfectly splendid
Freirht rates are not the cause ~