Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1914-12-24

shortage which IL already looming
big in the distance because the har-
vest fields Of the most fertile sec
lions OF Europe have been convert
ed into a shambles for the contend
ing armies. Exports Of breadstuffs
from the United States in November
we're valued at s40.26o,O00. or al
most four times as much as in No
vember OF last year, while meat and
cattle exports amounted to nearly
$4,000. 900, or a gain Of over 20
per cent over last year. and this
despite our miserable shipping ia
cilities on the high seas.
In the light OF these facts, was
there ever a time when the farmers
OF Kansas and other corn belt states
can view the future with as much
| assurance, or when they can 30
we'll afford to treat fairly every 9TH
er great industry In the nation As
now7
Putting It in the terms OF sound
business policy, was there ever
time when they should do their part
TO the end that American labor may
be profitably employed in all the
great channels of industry, and that
our transportation system may be
kept up to a high point of efficiency
so that It may adequately discharge
the heavy shipping burdens which
will undoubtedly descend upon It
in the not distant future?
No other single agency in the ma
ton has had more to do with the
advancement of land values than
have the railroads, and as evidence
of this fact, the proximity OF a
farm to the market almost invaria-
bly, fixes its selling value. Kansas
and every other central or western
state is still in dire need OF hun
dreds of miles of additional railroad
mileage, and these new lines VIII
not be built until American railroad
securities are re-established as
paying investment-and this, on the
basis of present railroad earnings, IS
out of the question. Nearly all our
present lines were built years ago,
when railroad investments were
looked upon with favor at home ana
abroad, and hence, II there is class
of citizens in the land who should
be vitality interested in rescuing the
railroads from the pitiable plight in
which they find themselves at the
present moment 1t is the farmer. AS
a matter of fact, were 1t not so
tremendously far reaching in Its Ell
feet. the controversy over a slight in
crease in railroad rates in any great
agricultural state would largely re-
semble a tempest in tea pot-a
matter which should be settled IN
the brief space of time required 20
apply the remedy. When a private
industry, great or small, advances
the price of its commodities ives take
It as a matter of course and say
nothing about it-and in the, past
we have opposed a square deal for
the railroads largely because the
people did not understand their I'M
portance to the nation, because they
we're angered at occasional abuses
which strict governmental regula-
ton has forever eliminated and be-
cause for some years designing po-
litical opportunists have found abuse
of the railroads an easy road to pub
lie preferment. That public senti-
ment, however, is changing rapidly
and that we will soon reach sane
understanding between the people
and the railroads, which are so vital
ly essential to the agricultural and
commercial progress of every COM
munity in the nation, is becoming
more and more apparent every day.
(Paid adv. To be continued.)
~