Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-02-15
HOW 1T WORKS
A Georgia Railroad Commits
sioner interviewed.
AN APPOlNTIVE COMMISSION
Satisfactory to the People : Railroad
Building Has Not Been Retarded-The
Business of the Roads Increased.
An Alliance Demand.
A Georgia Commissioner,

A Georgia Commissioner.
Special to the Gazette
AUSTIN, TEX, Feb. 14-Judge Allen Fort
of Americas, Ga, a member of the Georgia
railroad commission, being in the city on
business yesterday l interviewed him on
the workings Of the commission law in his
state The Judge is apparently forty-ive
years OLD, OF very urbane manners ana con-
sentative in speech, as all men of>inteli-
gence and ability are. He is unquestion-
ably man of ability, who resigned dis
trlct IudgShlp to accept an appointment on
the railroad commission. He talked very
freely but cautiously on the subject of rail
way regulation, with which ne evidently
has very wide acquaintance and consid-
cradle experience. He told of the manner
in which the commission law originated IL
his state, and of the cause that melted the
first attempt in 1877 10 pass such alaw. II
grew, he said, out of the arrogance and
donineer1ng manner, to say nothing of the
unfair determinations of the roads, and of
one road IN particular whose traffic manager
replied TO the complaints of his patrons in
a certain town TO the effect that he was
under no obligations to treat them other
wise, and might, If he chose to do so, take
up his road aud run around the town alto
gether. This arrogant speech had its
effect. 1t fell into the ears of a sleeping
lion. and the gentleman who made it lived
to regret it. 1t resulted in a speedy effort
to pass a law that would restrain the exer-
else of such unlimited power. The first eff
fort failed in 1877. Two years later 1t
succeeded, and ever since, Georgia has had
a commission. Her success in establishing
it was due in great measure, said Judge
Fort, to the powerful aid given it by Bob
Toombs, who espoused the cause, with his
well-known energy and enthusiasm. He
spoke and wrote in its favor and was a
tower of strength in the ranks of its
friends.
asked Judge Fort. ''Was there any diff
Guilty is securing the establishment of a
railroad commission in Georgian
Yes; Georgia had great difficulty in es-
tablishing it. The bill passed the lower
house, after hard fight, by a bare consti-
tutional majority. When it became law
the railroads fought it in the state and
Federal courts. but lost their cases in both,
the supreme court of the United States up
holding the constitutionality of the-law."
did that end the fight on the commits
sion2"
mo sir. A stubborn fight was next
made before the legislature to practically
destroy the powers of the commission by
emasculating it under the guise of improv-
ing 1t. These efforts Were of a very insid-
ious character, but ultimately failed. Since
that time there has been no further trou-
BILE. The law is now generally acquiesced
in and approved, and the tendency of recent
legislation has been to extend the powers
of the commission, and aid it in every way
to carry out the great purpose of the law. "
WAS raiIroad building in your state ar
rested by the establishment of 4 commits
sion2''
.saNo, sir; although it was loudly pro-
claimed that the commission act would ar
rest railroad building in the state, and
would deprecate railroad stocks and bonds
and put an end to future railroad coustruc-
ton AL that was said and written with
great energy and partinacity, but the re
verse proved 10 be the case. There was
more railroad construction after than ever
before the commission. The mileage has
been very greatly increased, so much so, in
fact that Georgia now stands leader
among the states in this respect. Railway
stocks and bonds advanced rapidly. Some
of the stocks that before the act were far
below par, brought premium, and 1 know
of none that deprecated under the opera
ton of the law
Have freight and passenger rates been
increased or reduced by the commission"
'.Passengerrates were reduced from to
8 cents a mile, and on one road TO 2l5 cents.
Freight rates were correspondingly re-
duced.'
w lldb WdS Vic CIlGCb VI biAC AOOlShAOh O4
the tonnage and receipts of the roadsl"
sit increased the businessoof the roads,
ana as hardly any road works to its full
the increase of traffic enabled
them to pay dividends, gave employment to
more people and generally benefited the
foads and the people. Rate wars that had
so often produced unjust determinations,
ceased, aud there has been more uniformity
and stability in the rates, and less cause
~, Tho fXpd inst
and reasonable. The stocks of some of the
roads that made the loudest complaint
against the law, appreciated most. While
! would not say that this result was pro-
duced by the commission, I do say that the
regulation which was quite thorough and
efficient, did not prevent it. In my opinion
it promoted it'
is your commission appointed or
elected?''
'.Appointed always. We have had up to
the present incumbents-of whom do not
care to speak especially, for business rea-
sIas-very able commissions that have adj
ministered the law with wisdom, justice
and moderation and to the satisfaction Of
the people. The first commissioners were
Ex-Governor ]. 4. Smith, Hon. Campbell
Wallace and Hon. Mr.. Barnett. Succeed
ing MIR. Barnett, whose health failed, came
our present chairman, Hon, L. n. Tram
well. He is one of our most distinguished
men, possessed of remarkable ability and
devoted to the cause of railway regu-
lation. He has been most useful
in the wise administration of this
law A just commission that will fear
lessly discharge its duty, compelling the
roads to do justice, and not wrongfully op-
pressing them, can render great service TO
the state. You have an exceptionally able
commission in Texas, and one that is widely
known for its capacity, fairness and i'm
partiality; one whose good work, l have no
doubt, will prove the wisdom of the law
creating it, and of its selection"
''Judge, we have some very ardent friends
of the dear people who contend that the
commission should be elected instead of
appointed. What do you think of itl''
:, swell, consider it fortunate that your
mode OF choosing the commission takes it
out of politics. To elect the commissioners
by the people simply invites, if 1t does not
force, the railroads into the political arena,
for they cannot afferd to, and therefore
will not, neglect their own interests. The
result is generally very likely TO be disas-
trOus TO the railroads or the people. The
inevitable tendency would be to select ex-
treme men, either for the railroads or the
people, the issue depending on whichever
party succeeded. If the roads, which are
thoroughly organized and command unlim-
tied capital, succeed in electing their men
the law will of course be operated in their
favor On the other hand, If the people
succeed in putting in their men the roads
are apt to be oppressed There is,