The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-03-29

ing of farmers in California the
Plumb plan for the management
of railroads was presented and
discussed. The following is the
gist OF what happened. But first
let us Introduce the speaker
He represented the railroad
workers and Vas Z efoeky, well
built man, with the railroad engi-
neer type Of face re-
sponsible and reserved. A special
ist in his own lire who is posi-
live and unfaltering is the man
10 carry conviction.
Boiling down his address
which is not a new one-so a few
words, he told US that the actual
value of the railroads of tae
United States was 1000. 900, 600,
but that the stock issued amount
ed TO $1s zoe. on. 600 The $1,000
900. 900 represented fictitious
value. or "watered stock"
Now. the Plumb plan" he said,
proposes that the United States
government acquire the entire
railroad system of the country at
its actual value by the right or
eminent domain. and 10 admins
ter ii az = government depart
ment-not for profit, but for the
service of the people"
The administrative board is to
consist Of fifteen men-five
chosen from the working force
of railroad employees, i've from
the management and five TO be
appointed by the president of
the United States Thus is CAPT
talistic control of our greatest
public service to be eliminated
and private ownership will van
ish. Then our engineer friend
sat down, with a sigh and far
away look, as one who was fated
TO expound for the hundredth
time to the benighted multitude q
siUple solution of our transpor-
tafion difficulties which was
surely unansWerabie and should
therefore be accepted without
demur.
An elderly farmer rose to his
feet and said: well, sir, the
Plumb plan appeals to meso
far rs 1t goes. 1t is as good a
plan as know OF and I'll say
right here that I'm for tiff
properly carried out. But
would like to ask the gentleman
one question: Where does the
farmer get on?
AS understand 1t, the farm
ing interest, in its various de-
partments. represents rather
more than half the population or
the United States. / may be
wrong, hut that is my impression.
Then possibly so per cent. Of
railroad freight transportation
comprises farmers produce or
farmers' needs. Yet the Plumb
plan says nothing about the
farmer having a voice on the
board and no representation to
air his requirements. This is not
said in spirit Of criticism, but
for the sake of information"
The Plumb man rose slowly,
wearing a rather tired anc com
passionate smile, and said: my
friend. would you rather have
your goods transported to mar
ket and leave few capitalists
gobble the profits from high
rates, or would you rather have
them carried AZ cosby the
people and for the people?"
sFfap-doodle!" we heard some
one whisper.
You haven't answered NV
question yet" said the elderly
farmer.
The lecturer again responded
with words generalities which
included such things as liberty,
equality and fraternity" but
which did not answer the ques-
ton. As matter OF fact, the
railroad employees interest in the
farmer or any body OF men out
side his own calling is about as
soiicitous as that felt by-say, a
for the success Of an
ice cream vender.> In matters OF
public interest which affect the
nation at large. liberty, equality
and fraternity" mean something.
But in matters OF daily business
we feel neither very uneasy nor
interested in other
peoples affairs whose calling is
different from ours. 1t is natural.
we even resent a solicitous in
terest IN. our private doings.
This is by the way.
Another farmer was granted
the door, who said; MY sisters
and ] have a little money invested
In railroad securities, az have
probably millions of other small
investors. | wonder If our stock