railroad system of the country,—a system which, on the whole, is one of the most wonderful things ever produced by human energy. The performing of all this work has required many men, much money, making of great mistakes, wasting of money before obtaining the present roads, learning by experience, training of men to administer the business, evolution of methods; and the wonder is, not that there are some abuses and failures in the conduct of the business, but that there are not more.
The railroads of the United States are today in an unfinished condition, and need to attract capital, administrative talent, and the wage-earner. The country wants, in the railroads, the same things that are being furnished in older and smaller countries like England, France, and Germany; that is to say, better road, track, and bridges, faster trains, greater safety, more beautiful station facilities, all of which means an enormous investment of capital and a considerable period of time, the training of many men, and the least interference possible with the development of the
