Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-07-10
TEXAS RAILROAD COMMISSION.
Howard say1 They Want an Expert Rail
road Man to Make Their
Organization Complete.

''What do you think about the Texas
railroad commissioner was the question put
TO John Howard by q GAZETTE representa-
tive last evening at the Pickwicl hotel
Il consider that Governor Horg made 4
ten strike in selecting the men he did for
that important work. They are all able.
honorable and conservative gentlemen, and
the people and railroad officials can't help
but resTect and have confidence in them
4 look for the commission TO do good
work both for the people of Texas and the
owners of the roads, continued Howard
but l would suggest to the commission
that they at once secure the services, re
gardleSs of salary, of frst-class,
thoroughly reliable and honorable railrc I'd
man. one who has had years of experience
both in passenger and freight business.
''Yes, sir: they will, l think. find it econ
omy TO have such man, regardless of
cost.
1T takes, as you know, fire to fight fire,
and they will find that 4 railroad man of ex-
parience and reputation for fair dealing
Will steer them clear Of many a 'snag,' and
save much valuable time and money for the
state.
~ am afraid said John, chat when
mistakes are made, which we must expect
there viii be, the public and railroad Off
Gals will show the commissioners very
little or no mercy, and the less errors made
the better it will be for all concerned. This
is why think 1t would be economy to have
4 man employed by the commission who
thoroughly understands the railroad bust
ness and will do both people and railroads
justice.
you are right, it is easier to criticise
than to create, and the commission is and
will be target for everybody to fire at.
Many say we want relief in the way of
rates, etc, but at the same time they are
ready to cenSure severely (the commission
should they make slight mistake in favor
Of or against the railroads.
YES, a great deal depends on the good
judgment of those in charge Of this i'm
portant work. The majority of our people
are heartily in favor of giving the roads a
good square deal, and should the commits
sion be tee severe on the roads, the people
would kick hard and long
And again. continued Howard, CHOSE
who oppose the commission woUld be only
too glad TO have the commission make Il Sc
rious mistake, so they could make capital
out of it.
I'VE have to bear in mind the fact that
railroads are well organized and pay well
for brains, while the people are not so well
organized ana do not favor paying high sal
aries. Had the commission an expert rail
road man in their employ who would favor |
neither people or railroads, but do justice |
to both, the railroad officials would waste |
no time in dealing with the commission |
While the commissioners are able men,
they could not be expected to know all |
about the railroad side of the question with |
out having actual railroad experience, and |
in my opinion they will be compelled to |
nave railroad expert connected with them |
before they are IN good shape to DO bust !
ness.
We'll, You asked me my opinion OF the |
commission and their work, and | have |
given 1t to you as l see it. II it don't suit |
You ! can help it. know it takes money |
to secure good men, and if you want rail |
road man-which, OF course the commission |
do-you don't want che up one. 4 good |
and competent man for that work is the !
cheapest in the end. and if they have not |
such man they had better get him.
Never you mind about Dublin and the
county of Erath, both town and county are
all right and will he heard from in due
time said John when asked about Dublin |
and the land sale to take place there next
month.
Don't mix up state affairs with local
matters. The people will think you are using
the state and the state officials to advertise
Dublin and Erath county. Have some limit
to your boom work, and when 1 talk to YOU
about the alien land law and our homestead
law and taxing large land owners, etc,
don't put in what tell you confdehtially
about Dublin and the Dublin land and i'm
provement company having hobby for sell
ing land and town property cheap at auc-
ton, At low rate Of interest and on easy
terms, etc.
That's all well enough in its place. said |
Howard, but when we want to advertise |
Dublin and our farm land and town lots, we
viii write up an ad and place it in The GA
zETTE at the usual rates per line.
speaking of the railroad commission. I
assure You II is great pleasure and salts
faction to NE to have lived in Texas long
enough to see 4 commission appointed and
At work, and look for good results, too,
from 1t.
"Yes, there is no man in Texas, care
not what interest he may have here. that
feels a greater interest in the work of our
railroad commission than I do, and some |
lay when have more time may tell you
why.
do I know E. o. Flood of Galvestou7
should say did. He is a bright Young
nan, sharp as tack, well up on railroad
business and thoroughly reliable. and since
rou have mentioned his name, 1 will saw
hat he would bea valuable man for the |
commission to have. Don't know that
hey could get him, but if they had such a
nan they would save heap of time and
money for the state. There are other good