Arizona republican., 1920-05-13
The Railroads and the Valley

with by the railroads in their refusal grant sonable freight for the county highway program. The program will cost nearly two hundred thousand dollars than it would cost under reasonable rate; and nearly s1O0OOO more than it would cost under the Tucson rate and Tucson imposes a longer haul Salt River Valley points Naturally the taxpayers that in making this greater of the highways in consequence of the exorbitant rate they not putting their money into good roads. but paying it in the of tribute to the railroads.
 The county highway commission has done a large amount good work determined effort to obtain just freight rate for the great road building pro- gram of Maricopa county-a program which, when carried out will bring about remarkable develop of this section. which development bound large increase of lucrative business for the railroads.
 Experts. on behalf of the highway commission the chamber of commerce and other public bodies have studied this question of rate cement and have agreed that of s4O0 from Califor- or Texas points shipment will show good profit to the carrier The present abnormally high rate is ss4O per Col. Epes Randolph stated he would recommend a $500 rate. Groups conserva- tive business representing all elements of this community have presented to the railroad officials convincing for the rate reduction asked for and have made very plain this is asked in the interests of great public improvement, and not for commercial purposes. But, in the face all facts the representatives of the railroads have recently informed the highway commission that reduction in the present rate will be granted.
 the expenditure of the s4OOOooO of the peoples money voted for highway construction in system award Twohy Brothers their bid there will be used s45.1sS o cement. which the weight per barrel of s76 pounds will mean cement tonnage of GA, ,392. On this tonnage the difference between the existing abnormal1y high rate $6.4O and the reasonable rate of $40O asked for is $40 ton or the whole program is the immense sum of $l54560So. It is this that the taxpayers of Maricopa county insist the railroads shall not justly fasten upon then they do not propose to allow this matter to drop, but to demand the right kind cooperation from the railroads shape of reduced
 The people are reminded that the railways have always generous citizens Of this section To of the roads given subsidy of s2OooOO the time this county small and struggling. and to the other railway, freedom from taxation for a period of ten years given 3 period when farmers were denying themselves the comforts of life money for their taxes.
 This is all the roads have received. They nave reaped generously from the increment of the valley which the energy of people and the fertility the soil have contributed.
 We are aware that the railroads have their own troubles limitations they have assumed such an attitude toward the community that the misun- derstandngs the public have been allowed to crystalline into grievances and hostility has gendered where there ought to be cooperation.
 Railroads have learned bitter lesson in the past as a result this spirit cooperation. They have brought upon themselves unjust op- pressive legislation and that is always likely result when what may be understanding is allowed translate itself a grievance.
 We may speak of the depot structures which in spire a feeling unfriendness, if not of contempt whenever they come within view a citizen He regards them sign of the general attitude of the roads towards the community. the almost impossible railway crossing two of principal streets looked upon symptom of the supreme disregard by the roads of the public convenience.
 And now. we have this freight cement which touches pockets citizens through the popular avenue of taxation. lower not asked for for commercial purposes. Tucson has a much all purposes. It requested by only aid great and costly public improvement from which the railways will greatly benefit. The roads are asked to make sacrifice; only for time to relinquish part their profits for public pose whose fufi1ment return them many times over as much they give.
 We believe the roads afford to make this concession in exchange for the good will it will bring them; the lack the desired cooperation will growing unfriendliness at time when the railways need friends
 The Republican is not and never will be, a cor poratfon batter It is of sympathy with the men who unreasonaby cry out against these institutions which are so much needed by all But it would fail in it's duty to the roads and the public if it should neglect to urge both the need of CO., o3eration-of forBearance the part of the public with the railroads laboring under handicaps which the public may understand, and of reciprocal freat1eht by te roads of the community from which tb., have received so much from which much more is to be expected
 ,rhs is no time for pickering and greed but for
 +.., oo-operation and mutual fair dealing, and we 9rn,end to the good Judgment of those responsible
 3 oifcfes of the railroads reconsideration of
 n,aiter which if given will. we are confi-