The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-12-26

utterly weak and inefficient. Steps
were at once taken to make the best of
the situation and to repair as speedily
as possible our neglected shipping facil-
tiles upon the high seas-and that the
handicap has already cost the American
people millions of dollars during the last
few months is so patent that It requires
no extended comment. 1t is one thing
to have markets in all parts of the world
which have heretofore been supplied by
the great warning nations begging for
American goods and foOdstuffs-but It
is quite another thing to have American
ships in which to deliver these cargoes.
VIII we now add TO the neglect of an
adequate merchant marine the further
folly of permitting our railroads to get
into such weakened physical condition
that they will break down under the
strain of delivering the products of the
farmer and the manufacturer at cur
ocean ports and thus largely waste the
great opportunity for profit which the
foreign war viii unquestionably bring
to US? This is phase of the present
situation which commands the serious
thought of every farmer in Kansas ana
the Corn Belt generally-fOr here IS
where the lions share of the nations
foodstuffs are produced and here IS
where farmers cannot afford to be ham
pered by inadequate transportation ia
cilities if they are to make the most Of
favorable market opportunities
There is not single manager of q
Central or Western railroad who viii
not admit that the present supply of
frst-class freight locomotives and box
cars could not successfully meet the re-
quirements of several bountiful crop
years and yet they haven't the funds
with which to supply this equipment
and thus be prepared for the emergency
when it comes-as it undoubtedly will.
FARMERS WILL PROFIT.
In this connection, it is opportune to
say that the American farmer is certain
to reap larger profit from the chaotic
conditions which exist in Europe than
any other class of tradesmen or citizen.
So far as our manufacturers are con-
cerned, while new markets are undoubt-
eddy reckoning to the United States, !
yet on the other hand, for several years
to come, the splendid trade which we
enjoyed in Germany, England, France, |
Austria and Russia on our manufacture /
ed products is certain to remain demon
thus we will be fortunate if /
we do not lose more than we can hope
10 gain in new fields, with whose needs
We are not yet familiar, and to which it
S certain to require some years to ad-
ust ourselves.
1t is the American farmer, however,
Who has no complications ahead of him,
md whose -four, pork, beef, mutton and
,ther foodstuffs must be depended upon
o make up the shortage which Is al
eady looming big in the distance be
ause the harvest fields of the most fe1-
lie sections of Europe have been cor
-erted into shambles for the contend
ng armies. Exports Of breadstufs
rom the United States in November
we're valued at SAC, 25O, 900, or almost
our times as mnch as in November of
asst year, while meat and cattle exports
mounted to nearly S14, 900, 900, or q
ain of over 20 per cent over last year,
nd this despite our miserable shipping
ABILITIES on the high seas.
In the light of these facts, was there
yer time when the farmers of Kan
as and other Corn Belt states can view
he future with as much assurance, or
7hen they can so well afford to treat
airly every other great industry in the
alton as now?
Putting it in the terms of sound bust
ess policy, was there ever time when
hey should do their part to the end that
.merican labor may be proftably en-
loyed in all the great channels of in
ustry, and that our transportation
ystem may be kept up to high point
efficiency; so that it may adequately
ischarge the heavy shipping burdens
-hich will undoubtedly descend upon it
the not distant future?
No other single agency in the nation
as had more to do with the advance
tent of land values than have the rail 7
,ads, and as evidence of this fact, the ;
roximity of farm to the market al
lost invariably fixes its selling value.
ansas and every other Central or
Testern state is still in dire need Of
lndreds of miles of additional railroad
ileage and these new lines viii not be
1ilt until American railroad securities
re re-established as a paying invest
ent-and this, on the basis of present
abroad earnings, is out of the question.
early all our present lines were built
ears ago, when railroad investments
ere looked upon with favor at home
nd abroad, and hence, if there is a
ass of citizens in the land who should
e vitality interested in rescuing the rail-
Dads from the pitiable plight in which
hey find themselves at the present mo-
lent it is the farmer. As a matter of
act, were it not so tremendously far
eaching in its effect, the controversy