Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-02-26
The Necessity for Railroad Commission

To ne EdRor Of he D1sDa,ct:
Dear Sir,-1he recent communications
and publications in tho press of this city
touching the necessity for railroad COM
mission in the State of Virginia indicate
the profound interest felt by the public
upon this subject.
The Interstate Commerce Commission in
its deliberations and decisions has greatly
enlightened not only the general public,
but the railroad people themselves, o. to
the dangerous influence aud the evil re-
suits OF unlimited franchises and great
combinations handled by wealthy and am
bilious syndicates. These organizations,
consisting Of q few individuals operating
through their respective systems, employ
inc the best engineering, railroad. and legal
talent. completely dominate the sections
of country through which they respec-
lively operate, and not until the people are
aroused by distressing necessity 10 a
species Of revolution Is their absolute con-
troll Of the destines of communities IN any
wise restricted.
The interstate commerce law has placed
to some extent q check upon these evils
(Which had grown TO abnormal proportions
at the time that this law was passed. as TO
through traffic on trunk lines, but the COM
plement Of the remedy needed exists IN
the passage of proper and uniform state
| laws upon this question. We are stlll at
the mercy Of these vast corporations on oil
Of our interstate traffic, and the law and
its administrator Ill this State are entirely
inadequate 10 the exigencies Of the occa-
sion. In the terrible struggle of business
men, whether in the line of agriculture.
mining, manufacture, or Merchandise IN
the present day, 1t is not TO be sup
posed that they can yigilantly take
hold of or pursue any discrimlna-
ton that works against their interest,
and there is crying need for
some power to regulate these matters
Of freight and passenger service upon III
telligent and equitable principles. With
out proper state laws in this respect We
are as poorly of, comparatively speaking,
as we would he IN our government affairs
If we had a good Federal administration
and bad State administration, except
that in railroad matters we are at this adj
dit!Onal advantage, that State traffic IS
regulated from abroad. The resident off,
cals of the various roads in Virginia arc,
with few if any exceptions, entirely friend
" to cousidorate of and acceptable TO the
people of the State, but they are the ser
wants Of aliens and must carry out the
policy Of their supcTiors and implicitly
obey their dctums.
To appreciate the effect of the present
situation in railroad affairs III the State
of Virginia, 1t is only necessary TO
consider tho connections Of this city
with Southwest Virginia, Piedmont Viz
ginia, Page Valley, and the Valley Of Viz
gina proper. At one time Riehmond, was
the lAOst profitable market of all Of these
sections both for buying and selling.
They sent their grain, hay, and othtr
country produce here and obtained the best
prices. and in return purchased all sup
plies needed upon the most advantageous
terms. The people thus trading with each
other were cCngenial ana friendly IN sentl-
ment, and dealt with each other with the
utmost confidence and good viii, but
under the administration Of outside owners
Of these roads the fat of arbitrary
schedules. etc, went forth. and almost the
whole tide of trade. both in shipping pro
duce and purchasing supplies, has been d.
ycrted 10 northern markets.
These sections Of Virginia are yitaly in
terested in having free access for their pro-
ducts to the markets Of Virginia, which
are in many cases their best markets, and
no railroad arbitraries, determinations, or
refusals TO pro-rate or connect should be
allowed to hamper the people OF any por-
ton of Virginia in the selection Of the
highest market which their geographical
position and existing lines chartered by
this State render II practical tor them to
reach on q mileage basis. Ia this respect
the agricultural sections arc more largely
interested in the benefits 20 be derived
from a proper railroad commission than
are the cities.
In the ono matter Of wheat alone the
Richmond mills are capable OF grinding
nearly q, 00O. 900 bushelspcr anuum. and from
the peculiar character of the trade they en-
joyed with Brazil they much preferred
using Virginia wheat, and, indeed, they
have lost some Of the prestige their brands
enjoyed from being unable to get it, and
frequently il has been forced Oy arbitraries
- 20 10 Baltimore and other points North,
and was then brought around here in yes
sells. TINS taking something from the pro-
ceeds Of the farmer and adding something
TO the cost at which 1t was procured By the
miller.
Again, il is impossible without the keen
est Distress and the deepest concern on be-
half Of the rural districts Of Virginia 70
witness, as the most casual observer must
do, the gradual manner III which not only
a large part Of the cereals, meats, and
other farm products OF that character
raised by Virginia farmers are being gra-
dually forced out Of the markets OF Virginia.
but the same Is in great measure true of
even perishable fruits, vegetables, etc,
and the serious question prOpOunds itself.
How are the country people of this State
not merely to prosper but even to live
without the important income they
formerly derived from the sale of
such products The cities and towns
are no doubt vitality interested IL
the prosperity of the rural districts sur
rounding them. but it is possible for them
10 thrive upon their manufacturing enter
prises and by commerce with more distant
aud prosperous agricultural communities
outside of the State. But it is the depres-
sion. and in some cases the utter desola-
ton, of country sections of Virginia which
calls Imperatiyely for every legislative
remedy that can be applied to foster these
interests by lettering their transportation
facilities, and this, we take it, is the main
scope and object of the railroad bill now
pending before the Legislature.
The Chesapeake and Ohio railway. cross
ing ms il does the ranges of the Blue Ridge
and Allegheny mountains. loses, so to
speak, the fat Of the land, and the Vir-
ginia Midland. Shenandoah Valley, and the
III - - D.