346 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



that it was impossible to secure any concentrated effort on any one 

 bill. Perhaps a dozen or more bills along the same line were intro- 

 duced, and every fellow thought his own the best, and none seemed to 

 be quite sure just what was needed. The declaration of war by this 

 country also made it very difficult to secure the consideration of out- 

 side measures, as all minds were deeply concerned about that momen- 

 tous question, and other matters were looked upon as merely side issues. 



Now, we should not get discouraged and lose heart, but should profit 

 by past experience and prepare to make a more determined effort than 

 ever to secure the passage of such measures as you may deem wise to 

 have presented to the next general assembly. 



The past ten months have witnessed the greatest activity on the 

 part of the railroads to secure rate advances. We are astounded at 

 the way in which they have tenaciously and almost doggedly pestered 

 and nagged (if you will permit me to use that expression) the Inter- 

 state Commerce Commission and the state railway commissions on this 

 subject. I am glad to inform you that so far these increases, as applied 

 to farm products and live stock, have been defeated. 



The ink had hardly dried on the decision handed down by the su- 

 preme court of the United States, declaring constitutional the Adamson 

 eight-hour law, which gave the train men ten hours' pay for eight hours' 

 work, when the railroad presidents and general managers from the 

 east, west, north and south, were down in Washington soliciting and 

 imploring the Interstate Commerce Commission for a horizontal in- 

 crease of 15 per cent in freight rates on all roads, to go into effect on 

 May 1st, without suspension or investigation. If this increase in rates 

 had been granted, it would have increased the freight bill of Iowa 

 shippers some six million dollars or more annually, and would have 

 placed an additional burden upon the citizens of this nation of some 

 three hundred million dollars annually — quite a snug little sum indeed. 



The situation grew steadily more alarming, as the presidents and 

 managers continued to visit Washington and importune the commission 

 for the advances. Finally a mass meeting composed of the officers 

 and representatives of the different organizations and individual ship- 

 pers was held in Chicago, April 13th, to consider the ways and means 

 of protecting the interests of the shippers in this important case. At 

 this meeting, your very able secretary was chosen permanent presi- 

 dent. A national organization was formed and plans perfected for de- 

 fense. A committee composed of four of our ablest rate attorneys, 

 headed by Clifford Thorne, the attorney for your association, had charge 

 of the case for the shippers, and Mr. Thorne directly represented the 

 Iowa farmers and stockmen. To his untiring efforts and the skill and 

 ability with which he prepared and prosecuted the case, we feel that 

 large credit should be given for the result. 



The investigations and hearings lasted some six weeks, and were 

 all held in Washington, thus entailing a heavy expense upon all the 

 organizations participating in the expense; but I am sure that you will 

 heartily endorse and approve of the action of your officers in spending 

 this money for the protection of your interests. 



