Page:The truth about the railroads (IA truthaboutrailro00elli).pdf/79

and who are inclined to think that these great instruments of commerce are all wrong because of their size and that they should be regulated, controlled, and managed in detail by the Government. The exploitation of the natural resources of the United States and the really marvelous growth of the country have resulted in some large fortunes which catch the public attention, but they have also resulted in countless small accumulations of property all over the country, as shown by the deposits in the banks and by the amount of life insurance carried. In 1850 there were 251,354 depositors in the savings banks of the country, with $43,431,130 to their credit, an average of $172.79; and in 1909, 8,831,863 depositors, with $3,713,405,710, an average of $420.46. In 1880 the individual deposits in all banks were $2,134,234,861, and in 1909, $14,108,039,477. In 1850 there were 29,407 life-insurance policies for $68,614,189, and in 1908, 25,852,405 policies for $14,518,952,277. Every one of these depositors and every holder of a life-insurance policy has a personal interest