The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-01-09

are largely invested In railroad bonds
as well as the railroad themselves
this is the fear which is gripping humid
reds of financiers, and students of econ
mic conditions in the present hour-men
many of whom heretofore have never
seriously concerned themselves over
the troubles of American railroads. In
the present instance, therefore, the
railroad crisis is OF tremendous impor-
lance because In it is involved the still
greater problem of the integrity and
safety of the whole superstructure OF
American business. That we cannot
shove it aside by a broadside of dem
agogic platitudes or minimize it by en-
ploying the strategy of an ostrich is ap-
parent to all thinking citizens who are
seriously concerned in their own and
their country future welfare.
UP TO PEOPLE OF KANSAS.
In no other commonwealth have the
railroads had larger share in progress
and development than in Kansas. They
in the early days when its broad prairies
were the habitat of rowing herds of
buffalo and savage Indians-and from
that hour to this they have played their
part in a drama of thrift and enterprise
which is without parallel in the his
tory of the Republic-a wondrous story
of progress which has travelled upon
the four winds to the ends of the earth
and which swells with pride the breast
of every true Kansan.
And yet, marvellous as have been
our accomplishments in the past, is not
Kansas today merely standing upon the
threshold of her true destiny? Have
we not ample room for thousands of
additional tillers of our fertile soil, and
do not our Splendid inland cities plead
for factories in order that we may our
selves produce some of the finished
products for which Kansas people spend
scores of millions every year? Do we
not need hundreds of miles of additional
railroad mileage before we can make
the most of our agriculture and COM
merce-and will the millions of outside
capital necessary to the construction of
these additional facilities be forthcom-
ing if the people of Kansas do not treat
fairly the millions already invested
within their midst? In short, have not
the people of Kansas splendid oppor-
tunity to set the pace for the rest of
the country over these troubled corpor-
ate problems by saying to investors
everywhere that Kansas-first convinc-
ed of square deal for herself-de-
mands that from this time forward
every dollar honestly invested in her
enterprises shall be permitted to earn a
fair return for its owner? And, should
she proclaim such a sensible doctrine,
would not half the people between the
two oceans and hundreds OF newspapers
instantly exclaim, That's just like
Kansas-the home of sanity and pro-
gress?"
It is because Kansas railroads believe
that Kansas people win be generously
fair-once they know the truth about
this great question-that has persuaded
them to make this appeal through the
public press. In doing so they have
tried to state their side of the story
fairly. They have made no attack up
on anyone or sought to appeal to pre-
judice-and that the reader may accord
to them the same credit for sincerity
which he claims for himself-that he
may be willing to raise his voice in de-
Tense of their rights as he would ex-
pect others to do in his behalf under
similar circumstances-th is all the
railroads of Kansas ask. paid Adv