Arizona republican., 1922-01-08

ductions OF July 1, together with a
definite pledge that further reduc-
ton of rates should be made as fast
as operating costs decreased until the
advance of Aug. 26, 1920. was elimi-
mated.
1.-THE railroads stressed the neces-
sity Of taking care of dependent
stock and bond holders and the
dangers of their going into bank
ruptcy. My reply to them was that
we had heard for years of their
orphans and widows, and we sympa-
thized with them, but no more than
with the orphans and widows of
farmers who had been left destitute
because of a bad economic situation
which high freight rates had helped
create. l further told them that
many farmers and business men
were compelled to go through bank
ruptcy, and that il was no worse for
a railroad to go into the hands of a
receiver than for a farmer or a manu-
facturer. I added that | believed ii
would be a good thing for the public
If some of the railroad companies did
go into receivership in order that the
value of their property might be de-
termined by the public.
"After discussion these three ex-
ecutives agreed to submit the farm
ers' proposal for immediate rate re-
ductions, and subsequent reductions
as well, to the executive committee
Of the railroad executives. This they
did at meeting on Oct 8. We were
Informed that this executive COM
mittee approved the proposition with
10 per cent reduction, effective
Immediately. and subsequent reduc-
tions as requested. The matter, how
ever, was referred to a general meet
ing of railroad executives in Chicago
on Oct. IA. That meeting did not ap-
prove the immediate reductions. but
it pied ged further reductions as oper-
ating expenses decreased.
THE following day | met a small
group of railroad executives and ex-
pressed keen disappointment that
they had refused immediate reduc-
ton, stating that we would be COM
PEELED to make immediate application
for same through the interstate COM
merce commission. The American
Farm Bureau federation that very
day did file petition for immediate
reductions on all agricultural COM
modities of from 10 to 20 per cent,
with subsequent reductions as oper-
ating expenses were reduced.
"Other interviews during the next
two or three weeks were held be-
tween the American Farm Bureau
federation and the railroad execu-
tives, with the result that the rail-
20. I
the Interstate commerce commission
to approve a 10 per cent reduction
on agricultural commodities, effec-
tive Jan. /, 1922. for a period of six
months.
The reduction was not as much
as we should have liked and would
not have satisfied us had it not been
for the promise of future reductions.
The railroad executives treated us
with fairness and frankness. A full
statement Of this conference and its
results was given to the press by the
American Farm Bureau federation
several weeks ago and was widely
printed.
"a second conference was called
by the same agency that called the
first one in washington on Dec. 9.
| asked that a larger group of our
representatives might attend the sec
ond conference. This request was
granted, and in addition to the farm
bureau and the grange, the interna-
tional farm bureau congress was rep
resented.
The principal discussion at this
second conference had to do with the
o-called Capper bill, providing for
the repeal of section 15 of the Trans
portation act and defining the pow
ers of the various state commissions,
Every interest, except the farmers,
expressed themselves as being op-
posed to this measure. Without dis
cussing the details of the conference,
which was entirely informal but, as
l understand il, open to anybody who
might have cared to attend, the
farmers demand for the repeal of the
guaranty clauses of 15-A was in sub
stance acceded to, as was our con-
tention as to maintaining integrity
Of the state commissions. Many of
us were not sufficiently familiar with
this bill and other bills to commit
ourselves regarding any phraseolo-
gv. which was referred TO a commit
! tee consisting. as ] recall 1t. OF T. G.
Atkeson. Gray Silver, Washington
representative of the American Farm
Bureau federation, and James A.
Emery, secretary of the National
Manufacturers association. Mr.. Sill
Yer was instructed by me as presi-
dent of the American Farm Bureau
federation to consult with the prop
erly constituted attorney Of the state
| railroad commissioners in the formu-
lation of any suggested changes in
| the bill. 1 am informed that Mr.
| Silver has done SO, although no re-
port of the committee has been sub
mitted as vet TO the American Farm
Bureau federation office in Chicago.
"Other matters were briefly dis
cussed, particularly wages and the
status of the railroad labor board,
but no attempt was made TO reach
| any agreement. The cards We're all
on the table at all times.
4 regret that you were misin-
| formed regarding this meeting II
is unfortunate both for you as well