Arizona state miner., 1926-08-14
A FINE MlssouRIAN
Hon. Amos A. Belts

that contained in a recent article in
the Missouri Farmer, one of the Iarg-
est farm papers of the middle west
with circulation of 10000, concern
ing the service rendered by Corpora
ton Commissioner Amos A Belts,
commissioners, in the western freight
rate case which came to an end a
short time ago when the railroads
were denied permission to increase
rates approximately $1O0,0OO,0OOO0 in
the western district.
The article follows:
The above is good likeness of
Amos A. Belts, chairman of the Ari-
zona corporation commission, who
some so years ago was born on a
farm near Laddonia, Missouri, and
whose climb to distinction is full of
the inspiration that characterizes
the lives of SO many Americans who
fight their way up from obscurity
and poverty. When the published of
The Missouri Farmer first learned
to know Mr.. Belts he was station
agent for the Chicago and Alton
railroad at Rush Hill, Missouri-and
often we dreamed the day dreams of
youth together, he eager to learn
the transportation business and thus
to merit advancement, while the
publishers ambition was to become
great lawyer and, as such, to
win fame and glory. And the former
realized his dreams years ago, while
the latter-well, he never became a
great lawyer nor has he won fame
and glory. And yet as the publisher
of farm paper and as a sort of
next friend to agriculture, he hopes
his humble efforts will prove of
some slight value to those whom, as
best he know how, he is trying to
serve.
And why has Mr.. Belts climbed to
distinction? Well, it is the DID, old
stOry-a poor boy full of ambition to
succeed, a fiend for work, scrupu-
lously honest and courteous and
kindly to those with whom he came
in daily contact. Everybody in the
little town Of Rush Hill liked the
young station agent years ago-jou
just couldn't help but like him, for
he wore his heart upon his sleeve
and was happiest when he was doing
someone favor. AS time passed, we
occasionally heard of his success
out west and rejoiced in it, But last
winter when the big railroad rate
case was being heard in Kansas City
and when as chairman of the corn
belt committee we were combatant
for agriculture in the cockpit Of
those proceedings, we were surprised
and delighted to see Mr.. eBtts sit |
ting as an associate of Chairman Ait |
Gibson of the interstate commerce
commission, high compliment to
his ability and enviable standing in
the great field of Transportation. 1t {
was a rather far cry from station |
agent in the little village of Rush |
Hill years ago o recognition by one |
of the nations greatest tribunals
and yet in such premises is not truth
always stranger than fiction?"
Some days ago the interstate com
81
the carriers for a $50 advance in I
freight rates and we cannot help I
but believe that the participation of |
Mr. Belts in the proceedings was
responsible in part at least, for this
decision which Will save millions to
the shippers of the west.
We have just recently learned that
Mr. Belts is a candidate for congress |
in Arizona-and without knowing
who his opponent or opponents may
be, we nevertheless commend him .
most cordially to the voters of his /
district We could not do less and re-
main true to friendship whose frag
rance reaches back through the mists
of more than 35 years. In this hour
when agriculture is fighting with its
back to the WALL as never before,
we feel sure that the farmers Of his !
district will never regret reposing |
confidence in this erstwhile Missouri |
farmer boy. And with equal assur-
ance we commend him to the busi-
ness men and workingmen of his
district-they can't go wrong in sup
porting man who spelled his way
up from the foot of the class" who
is honest to the core and whose ex-
perience in public service 50 eminent
t. f:+s hir f>l tAc = " he snake
One of the big, troubled questions
that is constantly claiming the atten-
ton Of congress is the transporta-
ton question-and he long experience