Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-02-11
THE COULTER BILL.
Views Of Railroad Men on The Pro-
posed Legislation,
Difficulties ia the Way Of State
Supervision.
Na.hrille Ameriean a.

Nashville American l9th.
An American representative had a
talk with various railroad officials yes
terday, relative to the proposed legis-
lative regulation Of railroads. taking
as a basis the bill introduced in the
house OF representatives, a fewdays
since by Mr.. Coulter, of Gibson, which
was published in the American yes
terday. This measure has Tor its oh
ject the regulation of railroad freight
and passenger tariff, and the appoint
ment of three commissioners, one of
whom shall possess legal experience in
railroad affairs, and the other being
cOngersant with the agricultural and
commercial interests of the state.
The commissioners are to make tariffs
which are to be observed by all rail-
road companies doing business in this
state, such rates to be equal, reasona-
Bile and just" The railroad men say
that if such a schedule of charges
could be arrived at, it woult be salts
factory, not only to the people, but also
10 the owners andoifcers of the rail-
roads. The task, however, to be i'm
posed on these three commissioners is
thought to be impracticable; for if the
rates are SO be equal it implies that
they are either to be the same upon all
classes of freight, irrespective Of their
y~alue-that is the same rate per
mile upon a ton of coal worth three
dollars as upon a ton Of merchandise
worth $3000-or the rates to be equal
must be the same upon all railroads
in the state for similar articles for like
distance; and, while a given rate
might be reasonable for a road so con-
structed that its engines could pull
twenty five loaded cars, the same rate
would be unreasonable upon a road
where its engines could only pull FIVE.
In this view, could any rates be equal
and at the same time be reasonable
and just? The very fact Of their be-
ing equal either as to different kinds
of merchandise or upon different roads
make them necessarily unreasonable
and unjust upon some classes of
freight or upon some roads.
There are about 1900 miles OF rail
roads within the limits Of the state Of
Tennessee, which cost. in the aggre-
gate, Sj0,000,00 0 nearly one half Of
which, in mileage, have become bank
rupt and the capital invested has been
lost so far as the original stockholders
are concerned. This would seem to
prove that the rates charged have not
been rempneratiye, but have been as
unsatisfactory to the stockholders as
to the public. The state assumed
control Of over One-f9urth OF
the railroad mileage in the
state and undertook to operate the
roads by its receivers, and there was
as much complaint against the rates
charged and facilities furnished by
the roads when under the direct con-
troll of these agents Of the state as
against those controlled By the officers
Of the roads. 1t seems, according to
the view Of the railroad officials, rath-
er unfortunate that, if the legisla-
ture should desire to undertake the
control OF the details Of railroad man
agement, it had not done so when SO
large a number Of the railroads were
under the immediate control Of Off
GERS appointed by the state, as, in the
event the rates were not remunera-
tive, the party fixing them would
then have had to furnish the capita.
TO make up the deficiency necessary
to operate. the roads. This, however
was not done, and it is now proposed
that the state, through its agenta,
board Of railroad commissioners, shall
fix the rates to be charged upoI
all railroads, and, if they are not re
m~uneratiye, then the railroad compa
MES are TO supply the deficiency re
quired to pay the operating expenses
In a business point Of view it is deem
ed rather Unfair that the state should
name the rates and other parties foo
the losses, if any; anditis hardly to b,
expected that those owning railroad.
will consent that $j0,0OO,000 capita.
be placed entirely at the disposal OF
lawyer, a merchant and a theoretica
railroad man.
The passage Of any bill giving afbi
trary powers TO commissioners to fl
rates will, it is predicted, put an en-,
, to all railroad extensions within thu
limits Of the state, and there are quit,
a number Of such extensions desire,
, by counties that are not now favored
: with railroad facilities, for it is hardl.
reasonable to expect that any oompan.
: will expend $4,000 per mile il
building railroads and then have
, commission fix therates Gn such roads
/. If a commission be advisable, would
not. the railroad men ask, be well &
! have their powers advisory only, {
hear any complaints made by the com
munity, advise the railroads, and. b.
negotiations, endeavor to cultivate
better feeling between the people AM
H. = IL L IL.