156 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Granger days, the same course of events that followed the days 

 when Larrabee was Governor, the same course of events my friend, 

 the railroad representative prophesied would occur. Don't deceive 

 yourselves with the idea that you can take additional steps with 

 ease ; they will be opposed and bitterly opposed by the very men who 

 you would naturally expect to oppose them — the industry of which 

 we are speaking. It is the most vast, the most complicated organi- 

 zation that ever existed on God 's footstool. These railroads build up 

 and tear down cities and states. At the time of the last census, the 

 gross value of the railroads and their equipment in this country 

 was greater than the combined value of all the live stock, all the 

 farm implements and machinery, all the manufacturing tools and 

 machinery, all the gold and silver bullion in this country, added to 

 the total capital of our national banks. In 1905 the gross earnings 

 and income above operating expenses of the railroads was greater 

 than all the gold and silver, corn, wheat, lead and copper produced 

 in the country. The gross earnings were four times greater than 

 the combined customs and internal revenue of the United States 

 government. It would take more gold than there is gold coin and 

 bullion in circulation, together with that in the national treasury 

 to pay the net earnings and income of the American railways for 

 one year — and this colossal industry has been built up within the 

 lives of many of those whom you pass on the streets. 



Our fathers who framed this government, never dreamed of this 

 vast industry. We have not been studying government regulation, 

 tariffs, banks and colonies for centuries and centuries. "We have 

 just began the study of the regulation of these railroads. This is 

 the greatest subject that you men of this generation have to deal 

 with. With this stupendous task, we are but babes and sucklings. 

 We have not learned the alphabet as yet, and there are many who 

 are determined we shall not learn this alphabet. 



The vast magnitude and importance of this railroad industry 

 justifies a department of our government second to none in the 

 nation. It should be supplied with a force as large or larger than 

 any other department of our government ; it should unquestionably 

 be represented in the cabinet ; it should have branch offices in every 

 large trade center in the United States. We have tax ferrets and 

 revenue collectors and bank examiners by the hundred, but our 

 freight bill is a greater tax to-day than all those put together. 



We should go at this railroad question, not like a mob, from time 

 to time, reducing rates because we can, but we should build up a 

 comprehensive, well organized system under which we can act 

 intelligently. Until such means are provided we shall have to 



