The Mena weekly star., 1921-12-29
By c. H. MARKHAM

Nv l. H. MAhhiAftM
 Editors Note-C. II. Markham l' uresident of one of the greatest rail road systems in the world. He speaks with the voice of absolute authority and knowledge. His opinions are ac' cepted and hailed by railroad execu. lives turnout the United States anc
 because of his close touch to the executives of other railroads what ne savs may well be considered voicing nf fhe sentiment of the American railroads entertained by their gov erning heads.
 For twenty years the American pub lie has withheld sympathy for the problems of the railroad, problems that are vital to the welfare of the public.
 For twenty years the American rail road has proven too often to be the football of peanut politics, the "hor- rible example, for the pointing finger of demagogues and the sounding board for the-more or less-silvef tongues of spellbinders.
 Constructive legislation has beenI hindered rather than helped by this attitude for in their desire to please suspicious public even fair minded legislators have leaned so far toward | oppressive legislation that the con structive sort has been lost and en- tangled in the maze of restrictive red 4anp of the former.
 A better service to the nation at large. a wider scope of production to the city and a lessening of cost to the farm producer who must move his product would have resulted long ago if the railroads, often as unseeing as the public that frowned upon them, had been met half way in friendly spirit and problems that were real and tangible been thrashed from varying angles that neither solved the prob fem or tended toward the creation of mutual benefin.
 Both Sides Blamed,
 In thus placing h.ame upon the pulp lie, dc not wish to give the impress sion that 1 believe. railway men al- ways have followed the blameleeA course; in fact, 1 hold them jointly 1 re. Asible for the mistakes of this dara period. 1 believe they erred in not pursuing at all times a policy of taking the public into their complete confidence and telling the public frankly what their problems were and what was being done, or should be done, to solve them. Railway men have largely pursued policy of re- ticence where their own actions were involved, seemingly proceeding upon the theory that the public did not need their counsels. Recent railway his tory has proved that their attitude was wrong.
 But. regardless of where the blame is to be placed, the fact remains that the impression gained popularity that the railroads needed no protection. That, in fact, they were entitled to no protection, and that the public well fare could best be served by attacking 1, railway management, embarrassing it and putting every hindrance in its way. Every action undertaken by the railroads looking toward an improve ment in their capacity for rendering service was viciously attacked every
  vide revenues sufficient for operating expenses, fixed charges and a return which would be attractive to the capi- tai needed for financing extensions, improvements and betterments was bitterly fought; hampering legislation and restrictions were adopted trans portations without increasing the ca- pacity for it. Batting the railroads became popular political sport The public grew to look upon the critics of the railroads as being always worthy of belief, and the defenders of the railroads as being always in the wrong.
 Roads in Future.
 My optimism for the future of the railway situation is based upon be- lief that this deleterious period is passing. One finds it still cropping out in some quarters, but it is on the wane. We as people seem to have learned the lesson the last few years have taught us; namely, that the fu- ture of our country is tied up with the well being of transportation, and that the two must develop together.
 But, even tho 1 entertain an optimis- tic belief in the future of America's second largest industry-second only to agrieulture-I believe there still remains a great and pressing need for further public education on railway questions. The public must be con stantly reminded of what it has at stake in a solution of railway prob lems. Our efforts must not lag.
 One of the most important steps. l believe, in creating a wholesome pub lie sentiment which will assure pro- gress in transportation is inspiring public confidence in the men who stand | at the head of America's great trans portation systems. l have been in railway work a great many years and | 1 know the calibre of the men who | hold positions of trust in the railway | industry. l know them to be honest, |