Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 126, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 May 1913 — What the Railroads Do. [ARTICLE]

What the Railroads Do.

It seems very simple to see the passenger trains run in and out of the station; to order the freight car and send the grain to market; to telegraph to the nearest large town for supplies, and in 24 to 48 hours have them delivered. But it is not so easy ansl simple as it seems, and there is danger today that the next great uplift in business in the United States will find the railroads, as a whole, sorely taxed to furnish the transportation needed for the commerce of the country. Why? Because a misdirected public opinion is demanding rates too low, taxes too high, wages too high, service too elaborate, and there was not cents enough to the dollar to meet all these obligations and still permit the business to be attractive enough so the man with the dollar will invest it. Our American railroads have done good work, and can do better, and it 1s to the farmers’ selfish Interest to see that they are so treated that they will be ready at all times v to handle business. To be ready requires constant expenditure.—Leslie’s.