Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 September 1909 — Farmers and Railroads Should Work In Harmony. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Farmers and Railroads Should Work In Harmony.

By BENJAMIN F. YOAKUM

Railroad President.

’ ■♦'HtitH-> jj]7 farmers and the railroads are natural partners, o Their interests are inseparably linked. The pros- • • *4 o perity and success of one depend upon the prospero ’ty and success of the other. Moreover, the PROSPERITY OF ALL BUSINESS IS DEPENDENT ♦<*♦♦*»♦♦♦ ON THE FARMER, for the farm is the basis of the nation’s credit and wealth. The THINGS MOST NEEDED BY THE FARMER AND THE RAILROAD, but which are neglected to the detriment of both, ARE A BETTER ACQUAINTANCE AND CLOSER WORKING RELATIONS. These mutual benefits can be attained through dealing directly with each other. Many controversies will arise before important questions can be settled, but they can better be thrashed out between the representatives of the two interests direct THAN THROUGH POLITICAL CHANNELS. We should not depend upon the professional politician, whose interest too often is to CREATE PREJUDICE AGAINST CORPORATIONS AND AGAINST ALL COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL ENTERPRISES, regardless of whether they are honestly or dishonestly conducted. This is a nation of organized interests, and UNDER PROPER MANAGEMENT THE COUNTRY IS BETTER OFF BECAUSE OF THEM. When your products leave you, they are taken by the railroads, which are organ ized. lhey then go to the manufacturers, who are organized, and when they reach you again as a finished product they come from mercantile organizations. THE PRODUCERS OF ALL THIS GREAT WEAL'IH represent the only link in the chain that is not strongly organized. WE SHOULD FIND A WAY THROUGH WHICH WE CAN WORK TOGETHER FOR THE MUTUAL BENEFIT OF THE PRODUCERS AND THE TRANSPORTERS. SUCCESS CAN BE ATTAINED ONLY THROUGH CO-OPERATION AND CO-OPERATION ONLY THROUGH SYSTEMATIC ORGANIZATION.