The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-24

railroad executives so soon as the
necessary data can be assembled.
TT is unquestionably the purpose"
he said, "to contribute wherever pos
sible to any deyelopme nt, the growth
of which has been proven to have been
retarded by the influence of the freight
rate, to the extent of making such re-
adjustment of the rate as may be es-
sentiaI to a revival of development
But shippers should not overlook the
fact that the vital importance of
transportation must be recognized. It's
successful continuance can only be
accomplished thru an adequate of re-
turn. This the railroads up to this
time have not been permitted to en-
joy. No one who has money invested
in railroad stocks can claim to have
received prior to, during or since the
war, a return upon his dollar equiva-
lent to the average of the returns re-
ceived on outside investments. AIDE
quate service can be continued only
with an adequate return"
Hit at Utilities Commission.
Mr.. Koontz made a reference to the
Kansas utilities commission, or rather,
one member of it who, he said. almost
morning and evening told the public
thru the newspapers that there would
not be enough cars to handle the
wheat crop.
You may be interested in knowing
what has happened, 'Soontz said.
From July 1 to September IS, in
elusive, the Santa Fe handled 43,977
cars of Kansas wheat, or 21,566 in eX-
cess of the number handled during the
corresponding period a year ago. Other
railroads took care of the needs of
their respective communities. There
were enough cars to go around
CopeIand's Address.
1.-THE American citizen is an opti-
mistic individual and is endowed with
certain faculties which enable him to
| look the situation squarely in the face
and then roll up his sleeves, put on
, his rubber boots to prevent an electric
shock should he step upon live wire
| in his effort to readjust an economic
formula and then go ahead and do
the work to solve the problems of the
day. said Copeland.
President Harding's economic pro-
gram includes revised taxes. embargo
on government spending money, tariff
solution, refunding the foreign loan
| assist the farmers and pay the rail-
| roads. We are interested more in the
two latter numbers on the program
than possibly all the others. We want
a proper market for our products so
that the farmer will receive a price
which will make a profit to farming
and produce good crops We have
/ been producing more than we could
! consume, consequently we must export
| our surplus and we must have a per
manent organization to maintain this
foreign trade with an established mar
ket. The railroads need the money
that the government owes them-be-
| tween five and six hundred millions
| With that money they could start the
industries Of the country at a faster
pace. AS to the money which the
roads owe the government for add
tons and betterments made during
federal control, that amount Should
be carried as a long time loan as i
is customary for the railroads to issue
bonds and stocks for the money which
is put into capitalization.
THE railroads Of the country were
turned over to their owners by the
federal administration in rather 6
depleted condition and at time
when the volume of business of the
country was very heavy. The rail
road managers endeavOred to take care
of the business, reinstate the condi
ton of the roads and plan for thu
future to the best of their ability.
was necessary for them to purchas,
equipment, material and supplies ever
tho the prices were higher than eve
before. They fully endeavored to ge
the. railroads back into normal condi
ton and at the same time give thu
service necessary.
"A Had To Cut Expenses.
THE first of the year the volum,
of business was depleted, and for TIT