Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-04-07
WISDOM FOR WEST VIRGINIA
LEGISLATORS.

IL would De wei LOT tnOsc Wno arc
studying the railroad problem, in West
Virginia, to acquaint themselves with
the system Of regulations in operation
in Massachusetts,.
This is the one State OF the Union
that is apparently relieved from all
share ia the agitation Of the railroad
ouestion, so far as local transportation
interests are concerned. For the peo-
nile of that State the railroad question
seems to be settled, and much to the sat-
isisction Of every interest.
Massachusetts, has had, for the last
twelve years, Board OF Railroad Com
missioners. The laws of the State SIM
DIV forbid railroad companies from max
ing unjust Determinations, or from
charging unreasonable rates for service.
It's language is that railroad corporations
shall ''give to all persons or companies
reasonable and equal terms, facilities
and accommodations for the transporta-
ton of themselves, their agents and ser
wants, aud of any merchandise and other
property" &c.
The enforcement OF the spirit and pur-
poses of this law is then simply COM
mitted to the Board OF Commissioners.
The Commission apparently finds no
difficulty in securing its enforcement in
way that amply protects the citizens
without any injury to the railroads, and
with such results as appear to be per
fectly satisfactory to ali concerned.
The twelfth annual report OF the Com
missioners has just been published, from
which we have extracts and statistics
showing the scope and character OF the
supervision exercised by the Board. The
report undertakes to show the exact
condition OF every company in the State,
the results OF its years business, and
the general aspect OF the transportation
interests OF the State. Every accident
was carefully investigated, its causes as
certained, and information obtained
which might be used for the prevention
of such casualties in future. An exami-
nation was made into the con-
dition OF roadways and appliances,
and where defects were found
remedy was required. Few
cases OF violation OF law were brought
10 the attention OF the commission be-
cause its very existence operates as a
check upon violations Of law. Any
grievance against corporation may be
speedily brought before the commission
Jv petition, and is sure to be investi-
gated. Where it proves to be we'll
founded, no difficulty is found in OBJ
tanning redress, and where it is shown
to be without foundation, complaint is
effectually stopped by the decision OF
the Commissioners.
Several cases are reported in which
the Commissioners were called upon to
act. In one of these the Boston and
Albany Railroad Company had agreed
with a firm of milers in the interior OF
the State to bring them grain from the
West at the Boston through rate, ard re-
forward the flour and meal after it was
ground, to various intermediate points
at SD ecial figures much below the local
tariff. The petition for an investi-
CATION game from Boston, and
was based on an allegation OF
discrimination which enabled the fav-
ored firm to uIdersell the merchants OF
| that city. IL was found on thorough
inquiry that the terms given to this par
ticular firm were virtually secret, and
we're not allowed to others similarly sit.
usted. This was decided to be in viola
ton of law, anu the result was, not the
withdrawal OF the terms previously EN-
joyed by the one establishment with
which the agreement had been made,
but their extension TO all alike. In other
cases of complaint investigation resulted
in a prompt rectifcation OF the wrong
without resort to legal proceedings.
We cannot help but recognize the
practical wisdom of such a system OF
dealing with the railroads OF = State.
It's direct effect is TO free the minds OF
the people from the angry agitation OF
these unsettled and complicated rail-
road questions, and to open court, as
it We're, where all complaints may DO
made and intelligently, calmly and
promptly considered, without the cost
and delay OF litigation, and with far
greater chances OF justice to all parties
than could be expected from jury OF
inexperienced men actuated more or
less, by prejudice.
Beside this, whatever new regulations
may be needed fron time to time, such
Commission is in position to find
ont aud to recommend. 1t is a plan,
which like all others, is open to abuse.
but seems to be as near an approach to
a solution Of the difficulties as it is pos,
sible to reach. We suggest that the
members OF our Legislature, who wres.
tied 80 bravely with the railroad prob
lem last winter, could not do better
than to send for q copy of this report
and study it.
THERE was scarcely anything left to be
said when Senator SkcK had explained
the situation in the Senate in the follow