Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 1, Number 14, DeMotte, Jasper County, 27 October 1932 — EDITORIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

EDITORIAL

IS A RAILROAD A GOOD CITIZEN?. One of the best examples of what a railroad really means to any community is given by calling attention to the taxes paid by the Monon Railroad Co. This railroad spent $38,623.67 with Jasper County this year and is the most dependable citizen in the entire community. The Monon is never a delinquent tax-payer. Most of us never think of it as a citizen of Jasper county. Few of us realize what a part it has in keeping things going hereabouts. It helps pay for our schools roads and bridges, and takes care of our needy. It discharges all the duties of citizenship on the paying end with little complaint. We can well afford to be most patient with all of our railroads and to give them our whole-hearted They face conditions of change that are not yet fully or clearly developed. In them mean, in a community sense, is perhaps best expressed for popular appreciation in a check for $38,623.67. That will go a long way toward keeping schools open and cash in the treasury to pay the salaries. Thousands of American communities depend upon these railroad tax checks. What would happen to the small taxpayer if railroads were government-owned and tax exempt. His taxes would probably be so high that he could not pay them. The next time you purchase a bus ticket just think of this and use the railroad instead. The Monon Route offers Rensselaer the best of transportation service at prices in keeping with safe operation and it has a personnel second to none ready to serve you. Let’s be loyal to our neighbor citizen.