"Governor Larrabee came to Iowa before any railroad had reached the Mississippi. Engaging in manufacturing, the inconveniences which he suffered from want of transportation facilities instilled liberal opinions concerning railroads. He made private donations to new roads and he advocated public aid to them. As a legislator he introduced a bill authorizing a 5 per cent. tax in aid of railroad construction. He believed that the common law and competition could be relied upon to correct abuses and to solve the rate problem. It has not been until since these efforts were made that he has become convinced, as he says in his preface, that 'where combination is possible competition is impossible.' The object of this work is explained to be to set forth the objections which lie against the management of railroads as private property. They are used by their managers for speculative purposes. They cannot perform their proper functions so long as they are used only for the interests of their stockholders. In order to serve their real purpose, 'they must become in fact what they are in theory, highways to be controlled by the Government as thoroughly and effectively as the common road, the turnpike and the ferry, the post-office and the custom-house.'"—Council Bluffs Nonpareil.
"THE RAILROAD QUESTION"
may be ordered through any bookseller,
or will be sent by mail to any address,
on receipt of price, by the publishers.
The Schulte Publishing Company,
334 dearborn street,
chicago.