The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-01-28

roads, in North Carolina, are by M
means completed railroads; in fact
there are few, if any, in this country
that may be said to be complete. TbOsoI
In your State are far from tia perfect
and complete railroad would comma
bend for safety, comfort and speed. n
double track, a we'll ballasted roadway
for its entire length, steel bridges. re-
duction of grades, the elimination of
dangerous curves, the filling of trpStlps
where possible, comfortable depOts for
the accommodation of passengers, etc.
etc, but the present population hardly
admits of the thought, for it barely
meets in revenue received, the neceSsi
ties, without serious thought of the
luXuries.
Some persons conceive the idea
which is erroneous, that because
two thousand mile tickets are sold at
the rate of two cents per mile, the same
can be made for all. This rate is for
non-transferable tickets-is a wholesale
rate and open to all. 1t is made on the
same basis that a merchant would make
a less rate for the sale of a thousand
barrels of flour for cash than he would
for hundred; in fact the same princi-
pies govern largely or should govern in
the management Of railroads, and in the
making of just and reasonable rates.
that pertain with legitimate and prom
erly conducted mercantile or CONNER
cial houses. No business is more sub-
ject to times of depression, resulting
from unfavOrable crops, storms, acct
dents, etc, etc, and the reductions in
rates ordered today, under seemingly
favorable conditions, may sweep n cor
poration into bankruptcy tomorrow.
when the conditions are unfavorable.
Now, it is generally known, | think,
that rates ordered by Legislative enact
ment or by Railroad Commissions are
not always Obtainable. The long line
must meet the rates of the short line il
it would secure that portion of the bust
ness to which it is entitled, and this
reduces in measure the rate per mile.
In many Western States the laws CLASH
fly railroads, for passenger rate pur-
poses, according to their passenger earn
ings per mile, and when this classical
ton is based upon reason it undOubted-
ly is the most equitable basis to be
found.
The average rate per mile per passen-
ger received by all roads in the United
States, for the year ending June Both,
1896, was .02 019-1,00 cent, and the
average revenue received by railroads
operated by the Seaboard Air Line in
North Carolina for the same year, end
ing June Both, 1896, was, per passenger,
as follows:
Seaboard and Roanoke, .01 7J1-1 900
cent; Raleigh and Castor Railroad, Oh
915-1 900 cent; Raleigh and Augusta
Air Line Railroad, OF 776-1 900 cent;
Durham and Northern Railroad, .02 GIT
1000 cent; Carolina Central Railroad,
.02 Obj 900 cent; Lessees Georgia,
Carolina and Northern Railway, 01
1921 900 cent; or less average rate
per mile. per passenger, than is shown
by many railroads operating in States
where the population is very much
greater per square mile than that of
North Carolina.
The Seaboard Air Line is now and
has been for some years past, engaged
in the work of improving the railroad
property within it's control, and not only
so. it has extended. as it ever desires to
do, the hand of welcome 10 the
strangers who come to assist in the
development of your acres, as we'll as
those of the ''manor born" 1t is work
ing constantly and with no small ex-
pense to improve not only our, but your
every condition; to bring TO your cites
and towns added industries, and fac
tories of every kind. that your land may
become more prOfitable-your people
prosperous-your homes more comfortas
BILE, and that your children may have
added advantage, and to the accomplish
ment of these ends we ask you to unite
with ours, your very best efforts.
Finally, to compel a railroad to carry
freight or passengers, or both combined,
ut less that reasonable and just rate,
is to take its property for public use,
without just compensation" and to take
from it the right to receive Il reasOna-
BILE and just revenue, for the service
performed is to deprive it of its proper
ty without due process of law"
You take my home, when you take the
prop,
That doth sustain my house; you take
nay life
When you take the means whereby
live"
The right to reasonable and just
compensation is a property right, and
one that / feel you recognize, and
recognizing it, rs you must, We repose in
your final Judgment, concerning the mat
ter you have invited us to discuss with
you, the fullest confidence i'll the con-
illusions to he finally reached.
Thanking You sincerely for your at
tention, l beg to subscribe myself,
Your 0bedient Servant,
e. ST. JOHN.