Arizona republican., 1917-06-28

porations, automobile companies, and hundreds of others. The actual num- ber of railroad stockholders is even greater than the number of their em- ployes, and we all know that to be among the millions. These stock holders are as much entitled to the use of their money, ill a reasOna ble degree, as is the man who furnishes material, tools, supplies or labor The tabulated results. therefore, dem onstrates the necessity of more reve- nue. The employees and supply men are getting theirs-let the stockhold CT get his also.
 There is another feature of this interest and dividend propositions More railways must be built and inn provementss must be made, and no man will advance his money for such use unless he is very sure that he will get a reasonable considera tion for it's use. This may seem like bunk" to some. but it is fact. If the railroad companies keep up with the progress of the nation, they must pay an adequate sum to the man who is behind and first in all rail- road constructions. Employes and stores won't and cant keep the ma chine going alone.
 Ou Illdy lSel that IdllTOdu rates are burdensome exhorbitant, and call the railroad companies robbers, etc. The older ones among you will recall when years ago the average rate per ton mile Chat is, the unit measure), was as high as 20 mills, and in in stances greater. Now they are as low as ' mills, and some are as high as 10 mills, and again so low as 4 mills. Thus, you easily know what great reduction has been made in tariffs, much of it voluntarily, but some of it forced.
 Let us briefly see what the net re- suit of this proposed 15 per cent in crease means. We believe that it is by no means as serious as you think: that much of the apprehension con- corning it is entirely unnecessary: that it is largely a bad dream that will easily pass away. For the pur pose of making it more clear, and demonstrating the net results, as they compare with actual increase in cost of food and clothing supplies for the last year, note the following list:
 The cost of flour in the last one year has increased 109.5 per cent The Is per cent increase will add one-tenth of l per cent per pound, or 10 cents per hundred.
 The cost of canned ..orn, toma toes, etc, has increased 20 per cent. The 15 per cent increase will add one tenth of 1 per cent to d one- pound can on these goods.
 Coffee seems to stand without any increase. The 15 per cent increase will add two -tenths of 1 cent per pound.
 Sugar appears to have increased LILO per cent. The 15 per cent in crease means one-tenth of 1 cent per pound.
 The increase in hay, barley, etc, seems to be about 20 per cent. The 15 per cent increase means three tenths of 1 cent per pound, or , cents per hundred,
 Fresh meat seems to have increased 50 per cent. The increase of 15 per cent in freight means 5S-10O of a cent per pound. To arrive at this. I am figuing that your beef goes to Kansas City in stock cars and comes back in cold storage. Much of il | don't make this round trip, and the increase would be less.
 l find that the increase, because of 15 per cent, in hardware runs from wo-tenths of a cent per pound to four -tenths of a cent: that the in crease in the cost of clothing, be- cause of the proposed 15 per cent in crease. will be about cents on d suit of clothes. and about the same on a lady's full suit, from outside to inside. You will therefore, see that the proposed l5 per cent will make a non -appreciable actual increase in the cost of your goods, or rather it is unappreciated, when compared with the increase, which seems to have come in a natural way and which we do not give much thought. except to remark that better wages are neces sary thereof.
 Now, once and for all. let me ad- monish and ask you to give all of these things fair cOnSiderat tiOn-gpt