During our last trip, people were understandably concerned that building a railroad would involve the use of eminent domain, whereby the railroad would basically send a notice and confiscate land for pennies on the dollar. It is not unreasonable for people to assume the worst, because that has too often been the experience in the past. Railroads and other entities with this legal tool have had a sad and, in my view, foolish history of using the law in an unreasonable and short-sighted way. It is not the way this railroad will do business. We take a considerable amount of pride in doing things differently than many larger railroads.
Eminent domain is a law for unreasonable parties.
That has, frankly, been an all too common method of other railroads. Other railroads may use the law simply because it is considered easier or cheaper. Whatever the reason, clearly, in the history of railroads, this law has been invoked unreasonably in a harsh and offensive manner. It is in my view a foolish and short-sighted approach. I see no reason why this law should have to be used on this project.