The Ordway new era., 1914-06-05

roads. but to the roads OF the United
States, it would add $100.000,00e a
year to their net revenues. This
would Immediately insure the stabil-
ity of railroad securities and enable
the roads to sell the securities on at
least a S per cent basis. Moreover.
an increase Of $100,000.000 In yearly
revenue would pay interest on $2,eee.-
OOO, 900 of new securities which they
could sell at par and put the money
into new equipment, bigger terminals
and double track. This money would
be put into circulation, two-thirds ottt
among workmen who could start at
once to manufacture material and put
the same into service. Improvements
to the roads on every right OF way
would give employment and reqaHe
produce to feed men and horses and
thus put money direct into local cpm-
munities. The turning OF an army, OF
half q million or more idle men. who
are now idle because OF the partial
suspension Of railroad activity, Into
an army Of half q million workers,
working full time, would make half q
million better consumers OF food, pro
duce and clothing, possibly five times
half q million. including their fani-
lies. Upon the instant that the Inter-
state Commerce Commission issues
its permission for this per cent n
crease in rates the business Of the
country will break from tho booas
which are now holding 1t In leash aid
we will see such prosperity IS the
most sanguine have never expected.
This IL the opinion at least of 999 men
out Of every thousand who have given
serious, sober, unbiased and enhght-
ened thought to this subject.
AS farmers. we have perhaps more
to gain through railroad prosperity
than any other class. It is true We
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
q 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 to cen
slider that the value OF farm land in
Montana has increased 80 per cent in
the last five years owing to the build
ing Of new railroads in that state7 I
know personally at this moment Of
one beautiful little valley where they
are raising 50 to 40 bushels Of winter
wheat to the acre, the finest hard
wheat that man ever ate. It II woyth
92c In Chicago. but they are feeding
1t to the hogs because there isn't
railroad within 20 miles. There ID one
surveyed, in fact half built; why ID 1t
not finished? Because there IL no
money available and the company can
not sell its bonds to advantage. When
that road is completed farm land in
that valley will be marked up leo
per cent. We farmers are "wised ~"
. bit, as they say out west. and doa't
believe now that the railroad Is the
worst pest in existence.
And the business man, too, had
second thought. 1t occurs to him now
that 1t is better to stand q per cent
cent increase in business. That Is why
the Chicago Association of Commerce,
as we'll as other similar bodies, is not
opposing the Increase, but are rather
favoring 1t. 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 large body Of ship
pers. July 16, 1912: II 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-
nation 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, l
inadequate facilities. think that to-
day It is just as much the duty Of the
Commission to see that the railroads
are given reasonable rates which will
yield to them q fair return as It Is to
see that no unreasonable rate IL
charged the shipper, and believe
this is in the highest interest Of the
shipper himself. What desire you to
remember is this. that If that time
comes 1t will be the duty of the Com
mission to permit that advance. That
would not only be an act of justice,
which you believers in the square
deal would approve, but which would
also conserve in the highest degree
your interest as shippers"
the case ID up to the Jury, before
rendering your verdict you will lift
your eye to read that danger signal
which flames against the sky above
our world Of business; It 10 the same
signal that stands at every railroad
crossing in the land:
STOP! LOOK!! LlSTEN!!!"
Tsoenty Years