Page:The truth about the railroads (IA truthaboutrailro00elli).pdf/67

Rh of business.” Here is set forth very clearly the idea that the distribution of things is business just as much as is the production of them. One of our troubles in this country is the result of the fact that we have wandered away from the common-sense view that railroading is business. Naturally there always has been, and always will be, a difference of opinion between the buyers and the sellers as to quality and price of articles traded in, and only when there are reasonable and fair men in business and reasonable and fair rules governing business will men continue in business.

There are four great primary forms of business: agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, and mining. As these grow, prosper, and interweave, conditions are created that produce the many other forms of business that have been so successful in this country,&thinsp;—&thinsp;merchandising, banking, insurance, etc.,&thinsp;—&thinsp;all essential to progress, but none of which can prosper unless the four great primary occupations prosper, and this they cannot do unless Rh