The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-12-30
WHAT RAILROADS | [
Do With INCOME
Some Reasons Why They Are consid-
cred the Great Business Ba-
romcter of the Nation.
BURNING CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS
That Farmers Have Very Vital and
Personal Interest in Situation
Apparent at Glance.
CANDLE At BOTH ENDS

That the per cent increase grant
| ed some days ago by the interstate
commerce commission to certain east
crn railroads has very much strength
ened the plea of the western lines for
an increase in rates is admitted upon
every hand. II the eastern lines,
where there is greater density Of
tonnage naturally are entitled to such
an advance--how much moro are the
western lines entitled to it?
In contemplating the crisis which
confronts the railroads at the present
time, and which was BRIEFLY explained
in last weeks article, it is important
for the reader to realize that the rail
roads and the public face each other
under radically changed conditions to-
day FROM those which prevailed few
years ago. The abuses and scandals
which have been aired before the in
terstate commerce commission during
recent months were perpetrated for
/ the most part under the old regime Of
a dozen or so years ago, and can new
er be repeated under the conditions
which now prevail. On the one hand,
tho interstate commerce commission
and the different states, either through
their public utility commissions, legis-
latures OF railway commissions say
what rates the railroads shall charge
for service. In addition to this, pro-
posal is now pending in congress to
give the government the right to in
vestigate all new interstate securities
before they can be placed upon the
market, while similar authority is al
ready being exercised within the states
by, the different public service commits
Sions. This means that the last vest
igc OF control over their finances will
have been taken away from the rail
roads and that hencefOrth their fate
will lie absolutely in the hollow OF the
peopes hands. In this connection, we
wish to again remind the reader that
the hundreds Of honest railroad Of
ficials throughout the couiltry-men
who have managed their properties
without a breath of scandal or public
criticism-should not be condemned
because OF the misdeeds of the few.
With an aronsed public conscience on
the one hand and scores OF railroad
officials throughout the country sim
cerely and actively cooperating with
the different public authorities on the.
other, we can safely let bygones be
bygones-wipe the slate, and, with u
square deal for the people. the investor
and the railroads alike, start all over
again."
Where Railroad Receipts Go.
In order that the reader may realize
what a tremendous factor the railroads
are in the everyday business life OF
the nation and what they mean to it's
prosperity, we wish to analyze briefly
what becomes OF an average years
railroad income. Just as the idea has
prevailed in the minds OF many that
the railroads are owned by few rich
men, sc tho thought has also found
deep root that they collect millions of
dollars from the public which go into
the Golfers of handful OF millionaires.
and which are permanently withdrawn
from the thrift and industry Of the
people.
At the close OF the fiscal year end
ing June 30, 1913, the records at Wash
ington show that the railroads OF tho
United tSates had collected gross
income from all branches of their sery-