The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-06
THY uArtuo. LEGISLATION WE SfEp

WE NEED
The refusal of the House comm'''ee On
Roads. by a vote of nine to three' " i'Pv'.
,bo xant Railroad bill indicates tnas 'na'
,ressurs will not meet tie spproYai Oh .ho
T.I.1o.rra No subject has been more July
~nnx;orstv discussed in our Legislature
icons vears-tho debt question always
awooo,ad-tban this railroad bill. IT has
o.rsad a variable campaign OF education
md has elected arguments, pro and con.
rom unexpected sources and Of marked
ability. IL is gratifying to oil lovers
Of popular government to SEQ a subject Oh
such great importance. touching 30 many III
terests. ~arousing so many prejudices and dark
ened BY 50 much ignorance. considered a.
calmly and intelligently os this has been
Still. in order 10 satisfy tho reasonable de-
mands Of those who allege that in the man
agenent Of railroads the public suffer grieV-
ances, we believe it TO be OF once 10 the
interest of the railroads. a. well as OF the
public. that the following provisions should De
incorporated in our railroad law. the extern
Of which. as it is now found in or statutes
is much greater than is supposed.
We insist: First. That charges Tor the
transportation Of passengers or property
shall DO reasonable and just and that every
unjust and unreasonable charge should DO
prohibited and declared to be unlawful.
Secondly. That there shall be no unjust
determinations, in any way. against any peg
sons for a like or contemporaneous service.
Third. That there shall be no undue OF IN
reasonable preference OF advantage gwen 20
any particular person or place.
Fourth. That il should be made unlawful
for any railroad to receive greater coinpensa-
ton for services, under substantially the same
circumstances and conditions, for a shorter
than for a longer distance over the same line
andin the sam direction; the shorter beng
included within the longer distance.
Fifth. That the same penalties winch are
made applicable to a commOn carrier Tor vlo-
lation Of any provision Of the railroad law
shall be equally applicable to any one VINO
shall aid or abet any such violation. 1hat no
false billing. either by the railroad. or by any
one who delivers property for transportation
shall be permitted, and any one who shall H.
induce common carriers 10 discriminate un-
Justly shall be punished as a common Garner
or its agent. would be.
Sixth. That in order to carry out the pro-
visions of the railroad law and to enforce
obedience to them, section 1909 OF the Code
of Virginia should be so amended as TO per-
nit the Railroad Commissioner to apply at
once. in the name Of the Commonwealth. to
the circuit court of the county where the ylo-
lation occurred for an injunction to restrain
the company or person complained Of, from iur-
Their continuing TO violate the law, and that
the Commemorative attorney should be re-
ouired to represent the Commissioner
Seventh. That an increased appropriation
should be made so as TO enable the hailrosd
Commissioner to more efficiently discharge
the functions of his Office. and for publishing
his reports SO as to make them accessible to
to the general public.
As TO interfering with tbs physical manage
ment of the railroads We think that can be
demonstrated to be not only unreasonable
but unnecessary.
If reasonable rates, without discrimination
and ready access to the courts for redress and
efficient means for publicity are made distinct
features of the law. cause for a Just complaint
will either have been removed or will be
speedily remedied, and the continuous dis
cussion and restless agitation Of the railroad
question will be "A thing of the past, and the
energies Of our legislators may be devoted TO
other subjects.
We commend these suggestions not less in
the interest of the shipper than of the railroad.