Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 January 1915 — A Little From the Other Side On the Fare Question. [ARTICLE]

A Little From the Other Side On the Fare Question.

I had hot intended to have any : thing to say in this railroad rate matter, but the figures given in The Republican last night seem to call for some consideration from he other side. Mr. Cockrell, according to the article published last night claims that “Seventeen of the principal railroads operating In and through the state of Indiana had invested in their properties during the last fiscal year $875,609,735.” This, I assume, means for improvements reuired by law, because the article is dealing with the extra burdens imposed by legislative enactments and asking for our support to secure a repeal of some of these enactments.* He says further, “The operating expenses, taxes and interest were $175,417,706.” This added to the $875,609,755 make a grand total of expenditure of $1,051,027,441. To offset this tremendous outlay he that there were gross receipts of only $163,190,337, which would leave a total deficit of $887,837,104. This sum divided equally between the seventeen roads alluded to would mean a net loss to each of $52,223,947. That is a tremendous loss for one year’s smrk. But let us look at ,the figures once more. The gross receipts are said to be $163,190,337 for these same seventeen roads; while, the operating expenses, taxes and interest amount to $175,417,706. According to those figures the receipts did- not cover the operating expenses by $12,227,369. I do not want to question the veracity of Mr. Cockrell, yet I feel sure that there is something wrong with those figures, otherwise those seventeen roads ought to he in the hands of receivers. If it is true that the railroads of, the country are suffering financial losses that run up into millions annually and that those losses are due to legislation enacted by Indiana and a few other states, then surely those states ought to come to their relief by enacting more equitable laws. The laws on the subject as we have them are the result of public demand and for that demand the railroads themselves are largely responsible. The sharp competition between rival roads led to a great many abuses. Cut rates between common terminal

points and extortionate rates between points where there was no competition, until the public demanded uniform rates. Then, too, the roads themselves are responsible for the two cent rate. The New York Central voluntarily reduced its 'ate to 2 cents, the Pennsylvania system followed, as did the Lehigh Valley and others. The low excursion rates to pleasure resorts, the vast number of free passes issued and. reduced rates on 1000 mile tickets led the public to believe that the fellow who paid more than 2 cents per mile was being cheated, or compelled to pay the traveling expense of some railroad dead-head. If the roads will play fair with the public I know the public will play fair with them. The interstate commerce commission was appointed because the roads would not play fair and the laws against which the. roads now complain were enacted because the roads play fair. Let us have the facts and fair play.

J. P. GREEN.

Mis. Hattie Pierson returned to Chicago today after a short visit with Emmet Phljins and family. The Delphi high school basketball team is playing the locals at the high school gymnasium this afternoon. Coach Parker has his proteges in fine fettle for the game and confidence reigns in the camp of the locals* and followers of the team are pulling for a large score over the Cerrollites. The locals lineup with their .second team, Rhoades, Healy, Warren, Carl Eigelsbaeh and Worland starting the game, and the first team, consisting of Will Eigelsbaeh, Curnick, English, Babcock and Walker will go in whenever it seems timely. The subs will be allowed to go through the first half if it looks as though they are able to make a good ac<*ount of themselves, the regulars taking the last half.

Bloomington seems at last-to have solved' their water problem, whiclj' has caused a great deal of inconvenience to the people for several years. Until the last few days the water has been available ’only every other day. The people were forced to get a supply on days that the water could-be had to last them for two days. A new $60,,p00 dam has been" built. The dam has collected a large amount of water and seems to be holding it very satisfactorily, and the supply has been getting constantly larger. Members of the geological department of Indiana University have inspected the dam and estimate that the springs are running about 800,000 gallons a day, Bloomington citizen ts are rejoicing that the waj&r situation has adjusted itself in such a satisfactory, manner. The talk of merging Indiana University and Purdue and placing the state Lafayette will probably be dropped now that the water supply is better at Bloomington.