The gold leaf., 1898-02-10
(NewS and Observer


In the hearing Of the rate question
before the Railroad Commission Vice
President +. 81. Ohm, OF the Seaboard
Air Line system, read the following
answer to the rule commanding him
to show cause why the passenger rates
over his road should not be reduced.
1t IS most able and carefully prepar-
ed argument, and aside from its bear
ing upon the rate question, is of much
vaiue and interest to the people Of
North Carolina. Mr.. ST. John said:
Mr.. ChairMan ami Gentlemen
As vice president of the Seaboard
Air Line and the representative Of
President Hoffman and other owners
OF railroads comprising that system,
and operated within your State,
desire to enter most respectful pro-
test against reduction, at this time,
OF passenger rates, by your honorable
board.
can but think that such action
would seriously affect not only the in
terests which have the honor to rep
resent, but the interest also of many,
if not all railroads traversing the State
Of North Carolina, and in submitting
any protest, may | not present for
your careful! and kindly consideration
few statements, easily demonstrated
TO be facts?
The passenger business of a railroad
is, IN very large sense-whatever its
earnings may be--the most important
business it is called upon to transact,
IN that it deals with the travelling
public, requiring at the hands of every
official and emplOye such careful
and exaCtng observance of rules, pro-
mulgated for the movement Of all
trains, as shall enforce to the greatest
extent possible, every precaution adj
opted for the safety, comfort and con-
venlence Of It's every patron. Negll
gence, however Slight, is resented, and
| often times results in damages which
the railroad must pay, and cases can, |
think, be cited where awards in con
tested cases have at least seemed ex-
CcsSIve.
The perhaps popular idea that it
costs less to carry passengers IN certain
States-North Carolina included
than ii did some years ago, is tallacy.
The Cost has increased. Passenger
coaches have been improved, and cost
more than they did in former years;
wages have by no means perceptlbly
decreased, but on the other hand the
educated or skilled labor required to
manipulate the various devices used
| upon passenger trains, exact, and nat
urally SO, a higher rate of compensa-
ton. The laws of Congress and of
most States demand the application of
safety appliances to all equipments,
freight and passenger, costing thous-
ands upon thousands of dollars. Com
mssioners Of railroads sometimes order,
we think, when the real requirements
might be delayed little without in
| jnry to people or railroad, improved
station accommodations; the demand
for added and improved train service,
with an increased number of stops,
and faster time, Is constantly pressed
upon all managers of railways. Tni5
necessitateS heavier engines, heavier
rails, constant expenditures for ballast
and other Improvements upon the road
ways, the reduction of grades, the
| Filing of trestles, the elimination OF
| dangerous curves. steel bridges in
place of wooden ones, and heavier and
stronger coaches, in order that the
greatest speed consistent with safety
and comfort may be secured and the
desired end accomplished. Are not
these Improvements, pressed upon us
SO strenuously and costing such an
enormous outlay of money, of the
very greatest importance, and IS It not
true that the securing OF them adds tC
the insurance against accident, and, il
so, is it not true that railroads IN the
South, requiring SO much to bring
them up to anything like the standard
of railroads in other sections, should
be carefully dealt with, until a yer,
much higher excellence in their phys.
ical condition is obtained, and should
not the people contribute thereto by
paying reasonable rates for tranporta
ton. in order that these deired result:
may be accomplished ; On nearly
every railroad the passenger tram:
have been increased to meet a public
demand for rapid transportation, witt
little promise or hope OF increased
business. TO meet this demand fOl
increased speed necessltates shorter
trains and fewer stops, which IN turr
frequently neCessltates added tram:
for local travel, which in the yer,
nature of conditions does not and can
not be expected to pay, until such
time as the population shall have very
materially increased.
North Carolina is magnlhCen
State, and unquestionably has grea
future, but, as yet, while embracing
within her territory almost everything