Evening journal., 1915-12-09
cnntlnnod frnm Flrst Page.


get their ideas mainly from reading
snatches OF reports Of investigating
committees, commissions and courts.
why you might as well expect to get
a proper understanding Of the health
OF a city by the study OF the sick
brought into a hospital or proper
idea OF the morals OF a community by
a study Of divorce court proceedings
as TO try to get a correct knowledge
of the workings OF the railroads by
a cursory study OF the reports OF in
vestigating committees. OF course, in
yestigating committees can find rot
ten conditions on some railways Just
the same as they would find them
in any other line of business.
"These dcmagogues cry out against
the rich men who own the railroads,
and sometimes are quite convincing
that any injury that might come from
unwise legislation affects only few
rich men. But what are the facts.
The railroads securities OF this
country are not held by a few rich
men; they are largely held by say
ings banks with S,5O0000 depositors.
by life insurance companies with their
100000 policy holders. and in many
instances by small investors. The
Pennsylvania system alone has prac-
tically 100000 stockholders nearly
half OF whom are women-to say
nothing OF the thousands OF bond
holders.
"The railroads are now and have
been for the past few months enjoy
ing an era Of prosperity, but bear in
mind that this is due 10 abnormal con-
ditions. Previous TO this wave OF pros
perity which is nov sweeping the
country the railroads were suffering
from unwisc legislation, which pre-
vents the economy essential TO sue
cess. and when the European war has
ceased and we again live I'm normal
times. the same condition as before
will doubtless obtain. The railroads
are the arteries OF our commercial
fabric and essential to its health.
"The railroads have more employees
and are larger purchasers OF sup
plies than any other industry i'm this
country. During the last few years
the diminishing net revenues OF the
railroads have forced them to curtail
improvements OF all kinds and to limit
their purchases OF supplies TO the re-
quirements OF operating safety.
THE falling off in railroad buying
necessarily diminishes the production
of those industries directly supplying
the railroads. and forces a reduction
in the amount of labor employed by
them. which in turn affects the pur-
chasing power OF the entire com
munity. and thus curtails the produc-
tive power OF other industries which
are largely dependent upon that pur-
chasing power
"The intelligent and progressive
railroad man today is not opposed to
intelligent and enlightened regulation F;
he welcomes 1t. II protects him and
/ his railroad. as well as the public
from the hair Drained and irresponsi-
BILE. But he is I'm serious difficulty. He
I is not only up against Federal and
! State Commissions, but he Is un
against Federal and State laws and IL
is not an unusual occurrence that
there are conflicting orders and con-
flicting legislation between the States
themselves. and the States and Fed
eral Government.
III we had an unlimited treasury
our task would be comparatively sim
pie We could build additional tracks.
beautiful station buildings in all cities
and towns. automatic signals, straight
and level tracks. eliminate all grade
crossings, have ideal conditions about
which we all dream but know can
not be realized. We cannot do every
thing We should like, but we are try
ing TO please our patrons. the public.
1..N
iidence is the foundation OF our
business and the hope of our prosper
ity. We want the public to feel that
we are trying to serve them and in
doing so We are bringing to bear the
trained minds OF our officials, who
are conscientiously. earnestly and sim
cerely trying to work out the rail
roads problems for the greatest good
to the greatest number.
"ln the past mistakes have been
made and where they have been SER
ious. their recurrence should be pre-
] vented by all proper means. but we
are face to face with these serious
problems-which cannot be solved by
an ocean of indignation for previous
wrongs.
"i'he only way 20 my mind that thl
railroad problem-to sum it an ia one
can be solved is by a greater realiza
tion ON the. part OF the railroad and IN
q public that their interests are identi
!, cal. the life of one is SO intcrwoye
4 with the life of the other that soparat
4 existence is inconceivable.
"When both sides come to realize thi
, great fact, mutual confidence will gro,
81, public opinion will insist with all Il
: mighty force upon fair treatment ar
y win require Of an our various go,emir
bodies that they see 90 IL that the q
fects and influences of government
stimulating. that government bc oo
= structivc towards those lines of e.
n dcavor which are benefit to the cou
: try. aud only destructive 10 those viii
u are harmful
at this time when our national go
crnment is considering preparedncs-
e The country a. possibly paramount nj
cc-sity. u IL all the moro requisite ih
our laWs. ~ at present framed AMI L
l ministcrcd. should he as scrviccahle
they may be IN aiding the railroads
the country IN the vast services ih
p would be- called upon 10 render IN co
nection with any scheme Of prepare
> ness
There is another serious profile
confronting both the railroads and IL
, public that I should like 10 impress up'
you. for Il is a subject upon which mu'
4 statcsmanship must be expended m Il
{, : uo,.f fctt voara a. fha urnlletu IL "a