Page:The truth about the railroads (IA truthaboutrailro00elli).pdf/249

Rh money, he will not invest, and in such case not only will no new railways be built but existing railways will not be able to repair the waste, the wear and tear, to which they are subject, and will not be able to make needed improvements. All governmental action, whether by legislature or the executive, should be conditioned upon keeping in view this fact.”

And again, referring to the advance in rates requested by some of the Eastern lines, he says: “In the concrete case before us it is for the Commission to determine with strict justice to all parties how the relative and often conflicting demands of the shareholders, the wage-workers, the shippers, and the general public can properly be met. I am not discussing—I have not the knowledge which would warrant my discussing—whether the yates should be raised. If the facts do not warrant a raise, then the raise should not be permitted; but if justice and the interest of our people as a whole demand a raise in rates, then that raise in rates should unhesitatingly be authorized.” Rh