Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1885-02-23

cthera In the Union, nave tried legislation
and state commissions VOL ana thoroughly
for years. Tho result develops the fact that
the best thing TO do Is 90 let the railroads
manage tholr own business. This result, be.
ing The outcome OF many years OF practical
experience and experiment, IS true wisdom,
and should be the las everywhere. 1 800 In
the News, prominent merchant, In adver.
tising his goods, say &: especial Inducements
IN carload lots. Now what should be RaidoF
legislature which would pass law 1om.
Polling that merchant to sell, say, ono barrel
OF sugar ~ the same rate per pound at
which he sells car load or over, or, Il you
like It better, charge the same rice per
pound for carload lots he charges for single
barrel 2 Yet, this Ia practically what the
present law makes imperative on railroads,
and what would DO = hardship and tyran.
nous and ruinous TO tho merchant is equally
so 10 the railroad company. The laws OF
trade govern both. The interests OF the REQ.
pie OF Texas and the railroads are reciprocal.
Railroads develop resources, enhance the
value OF land, increase commerce and give
employment to Thousands. show me pros
porous railroad and I'll guarantee you o
prosperous country. The main tenance OF
roadbeds, building of stations, repairs and
construction OF equipment all give
employment end contribute to the prosperity
OF the community, but hamper and harass
railroads by hostile legislation, and true as
the law OF cause and effect, you drive Invest
mont from the state and impovsrish and
pauperi5s its people. Transportation is a
science requiring years OF experience and
study 20 thoroughly understand It's rim.
ciples, aud no legislative body can deal In.
diligently or competently with 10. No two
rsilroads-nay, in many instances, no Two
divisions OF one road, are subject 10 the same
conditlonsin regard 10 operation how then
are we to enact laws which will govern all
equitably? The local buslpets OF 3 road is
It's best paying business; but 10 make Il
yield good results II must be conducted
Complementary, intelligenuy and with
careful Discrimination. In Georgia
and Alabama the most stringent
laws in regard TO raj roads have been ernotod
and enforced and what Is the result? Total
failure and financial ruin. More than this:
President Raoul, q the Central Railroad and
Banking company OF Georgia, upon being
usged recently 10 extend a portion OF his
company's line, felt constrained to reply as
follows;
"You are correct In saying that the price OF
railroad building is now cheaper than it ever
was before, and agree with you that the
building OF this road win develop tho eoun.
try, enhance the value Of property ada
cent, and give moro trafic over tho origi.
nal limo Of the Mobile q Glrard railroad.
But what is traHic worth TO tho people
whose money Is all placed in the road, and
II forced 10 do work at rates that make an
Interest upon II impossible? SO Tar ns
my influences goes with the Mobile &
Girard Railroad company IN Alabama. and
so far ash controls with the Central railroad |
of Georgia, there shall be no money invested |
In lailroad properly, in branches or exton. |
sions, until this matter ofaggressive leglsIa. |
ton has settled down 10 some fixed recog. |
nized principle ofIuEtice. Tho policy of the |
state, and confidence of the stsbinty OF itg
laWs regarding all kinds OF property, must
be nrmly established before ENTERPRISE can |
develop. This countryis too extended and |
the held for capital and enterprise Is too large
TO hope that II will seek any stSto vhero |
laws arc unfayorsble to its security"
Ihis Is not pleasant state OF things, yet ~ |
Is the legitimate outcome OF II directed. hos. |
tile enaotments, aud Is precisely what NAV |
be expected in Texas unless the present laws |
are greatly modified. II not entirely sbol |
ishsd. The i'Iosd problem Is one that has |
engaged the attention u The creates, intel.
leots, both In this country and in Europe, for
years. and, although satisfactory solution
seems as far OF now as ever, 1t is sought 10
diaposo OF the whole Difficulty here In Texas
by legislative enactment. Better coll a stop |
TO this right now. Better let railroad men
manage railroad rates; the veteran is more
Than the theorIst, and the nrst
step In the right direction IS the abolition or
OF that portion OF tho law MAX
govern rates W. l..