Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-01-13
The Railroad Commission.
(COurier J0urnal.)

Courier Journal)
The Governor suggests certain
changes in the Railroad Commission
which affect only it's executive eifl-
cheney. Concerning the changes the
CoURIER-JoURNAL has nothing to say.
But as TO the wisdom OF further en-
largiDg the power ofthe commission
we are very clearly of the opinion
that there is nothing in our expe-
rleuce which calls for this action.
The Governor says:
sit is suggested that the powers OF
the Commissioners are made
Quste, properly, to protect the inter-
osts of the public. 1t is submitted to
your consideration that tho asses
ment of the property ofthe railroads
should be but an incident IN the line
oftholr duties, and they should have
authority to require that proper de-
pot accommodations be furnished by
the railroad companies; that the ser
vics Of trains be regulated so as to
give reasonable accommodations TO
the people that tho tracks and
bridges be kept in a condition OF
safety; that the ratcs for freight and
passengers shall not become extor-
tionate in the absence of water compe-
tition, aud that legislation should
place them in harmony with the
United States Board of Railroad Com
missioners. While you will enter
tain no purpose of enactiDg laws
which may be harassing or injurious
to the pro er interests Ofourrailways,
which contribute SO greatly TO COM
mercial prosperity, You will, l feel
assured, take caro- that these vast cor
porations, which are tho creatures OF
legislation, shall not be permitted 10
become the oppressors Of the people"
These changes would give practi-
cal control of tho operation of 1900
miles of railroad into the hands OF
one man, usually without and pracG-
cal knowledge OF such affairs. To
regulate the service of trains; to zee
to the safety of bridges and tracks
10 Ak the charges for freight aud pas
sengsrs, is not what can be done with
satisfaction even to the public, either
bv Legislative Committee or by Il
Railroad Commissioner Commits
sioners arc generally chosen because
they are free from railroad influence,
and generally FREQ from special know
ledge of the details Of railroad man
agement. There is no railroad Off
cial, there is no railroad company
which regulates all these things.
The power of rivalry and COMPETE
ton comes in to compel them to study
to meet public requirements.
Concerning train service and safety
of bridges and tracks, this can best be
regulated under the operations of
general laws which infict punish
ment. 1t might be wise if VIC ~Nr['
10 have the State invite accidents;
Igt are exceedingly costly, and az
ia standard of railroad management
improves, as railroad materials chea-
en-, accidents will be fewer. Rail-
Dad managers are sometimes slow,
nd sometimes poor, and sometimes
Incompetent, but, simply under the
Doctrine of chances, if railroads are
ED to strict accountability for as.j
idents, they will be NOR, allie to
e' anu NeoPgfcompetent servants
nah IN State would be to get
who could perform
tho service which these changes
would demand.
Concerning the regulation of rates
all that can be done is to stimulate,
instead of restrict, competition. The
extension of old lines, and the build
ing of new ones will result more
promptly in reduction of local raise
Than any legislative action, and as
evidence oft we point to the fact
that no railroad is to-day charging
The maximum rates allowed by its
charter.
Tho purpose of these recommends
lions is admirable 80 take care that
these vast corporations do not become
the oppressors Of the people," but we
believe they are more effectively re-
strained by competition, by rigid in
Fiction of legal penalties, and by an
intelligent public opinion formulated
by commission of advisory powers
only.