The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1914-06-04

roads, but to the roa0s OF the United
States, il would add $100,000,000
year TO their net revenues. This
would Immediately insure the stabil-
ity of railroad securities and enable
the roads 10 sell the securities on at
least per cent basis. Moreover,
an increase of S100.000.000 in yearly
revenue would pay interest on $1,000
000. 600 OF new securities which they
could sell at par and put the moneX
into new equipment, bigger terminas
and double track This money would
be put into circulation, two-thirds of 1t
among workmen who could start at
once 10 manufacture material and put
the same into service. improvements
To the roads on every right of way
would give employment and require
produce TO feed men and horses and
thus put money direct into local COM
munities. The turning of an army of
half million or more idle men. who
are now idle because OF the partial
suspension of railroad activity. into
an army OF half a million workers.
working full time. would make half a
million better consumers OF food, pro
duce and clothing. possibly five times
half a million. including their fami-
lies. Upon the instant that the Inter
state Commerce Commission issues
its permission for this 5 per cent In
crease in rates the business OF the
country will break from the bonds
which are now holding IL In leash and
We will see such prosperity as the
most sanguine have never expected.
This is the opinion at least OF 99s men
out of every thousand who have given
serious. sober. unbiased and enlight-
ened thought to this subject.
AS farmers. we have perhaps more
TO gain through railroad prosperity
than any other class. II Is true We
have felt their heavy hand when they
took their toll of grain as We shipped
our annual harvest or when they have
taken their so pounds of flesh from
every carcass sent TO the yards. But
those heavy rates OF old which seemed
excessive were perhaps necessary in
pioneer days when population was
scattered and traffic was light. Those
days have passed II we still nurse
a grievance for ancient wrongs, let US
reflect on the gain in the value OF our
farms which they would not possess IL
they were not within hauling distance
to the steel road. DO we stop 10 con-
slider that the value of farm land in
Montana has increased SO per cent In
the last five years owing TO the build
ing OF new railroads in that state?
know personally at this moment OF
one beautiful little valley where they
are raising 30 10 40 bushels OF winter
wheat to the acre. the finest hard
wheat that man ever ate. IL Is worth
92c in Chicago. but they are feeding
II 10 the hogs because there isn't
railroad within 20 miles There Is one
surveyed. in fact half built. Why is IL
not finished Because there is no
money available and the company can.
not sell lis bonds TO advantage When
that road Is completed farm land in
that valley vii be marked UP leo
per cent We farmers are "Wised up
a bit. rs they say out west. and don't
believe now that the railroad Is the
worst pest in existence
And the business man. too. had
second thought Il occurs 10 him now
that II Is better 20 stand a 5 per ceHt
increase in freight than lose 50 per
cent increase IN business That Is why
the Chicago Association Of Commerce.
as we'll as other similar bodies. IL not
opposing the increase. but are rather
fayoring H. Honorable Charles A :
Prouty. who as long chairman OF the
Interstate Commerce Commission. has
rendered more decisions on rates ad.
verse TO the railroads than any other
man. said before a large body OF ship
pers. July l6. 1912 4 think. gentlemen.
that what We may term the danger
point In the railroad situation has very
radically changed Twenty-Five years
ago the danger point was the discrim-
ination between shippers Twenty-Five
years ago the danger point was the
unreasonable rate Today the danger
point. in my opinion Is neither OF
those The danger. point today.
think. Is the inadequate service aud
facilities I think that to-
day II Is just as much the duty of the
Commission TO see that the railroads
are given Reasonable rates which vii
Weld 10 them far retura as it il TO
see that no unreasonable rate l.
charged he shipper. and I believe
this Is In the hlrhest interest of the
shipper himself What | desire YOU TO
remember - this. that II that time
comes IL viii b. the duty OF the Con
mission Ia permit that advance That
would not ouly be an act % Justice.
which you believers In the square
deal would approve but which would
also conserve In the highest degree
your interest a shippers"
The case Is up 10 the jury. before 2
rendering your verdict YOU will iift
your eye to read that danger signal
which flames against the sky above
orr world az business. n L. tha nau.s.
signal that stands al every railroad
crossing in the land
STOP! LOOK. I15TEN!!t"