The age-herald., 1899-09-19

ham, and it is decidedly to the interest of these several railroads that each and every one of these towns and cities shall be pros porous. Their interests are mutual What injures one will bring a corresponding in- jury to the other. This statement is not applicable, however, to the several towns and cities in their relation to each other. There is no gain without a corresponding loss In the rivalry between these cities and towns, it is not unusual for one to at tempt to invade the territory claimed by another. Each one Is looking out for its own interest, while, under the law, the railroads must render like services to all, where the conditions are the same.
 Tt is fact which cannot be denied that the railroad facilities of Alabama, when we take into consideration the volume of traffic moved. the mileage of the railroads, and the population of the country, are equal to or superior to the railroad facili- ties afforded in any other portion of the globe. By this mean not only the facili- ties afforded for the safe and speedy transportation of men and things but l mean to say that. considering these things, the rates charged for such transportation are as low. or lower. than the rates charg ed elsewhere.
 There Is more money invested in Ala bama railroads than in any other one ir dustry The railroads of Alabama furnish employment ito more men than any other industry. The railroads pay one-ffth of the taxes of the state of Alabama, and they are doing more for the material well fare of the state, from day to day. than any other business or enterprise within the state. They are the commercial arteries upon which the commerce of the country is in a large measure, dependent for life and existence. To cripple them In any way, therefore, is to cripple the entire business of the state The men constituting rthe management of the different railroads in Alabama are aaw-abiding citizens. The af- fairs of the several railroads are conducted strictly in accordance with the laws of the land. The statutes governing the business of the railroads are already burdensome- incomparaby more severe and exactng than the statutes relating to any other class of business. Still. no one will deny that the railroads at all times act abso- lutely within the law.
 ''The present railroad commission law of Alal5ama was framed by some of the wisest
 
 Governor Seay and Colonel Daniel S. Troy, and men of like character and learning These men were of the opinion that a commission law so framed would bring about better feeling and more harmonious relations between the carrier and the ship Der than law modelled after the Georgia commission law. They were right. The reports of the railroad commission of Ala bama will show that hundreds and hun dreds of differences have been adjusted in a fair and equitable manner, satisfactory to the shipper and to the carrier bringing about an era of good feeling between the railroads and the people. The result is that much more good has been accomplished under the railroad commission law of Ala bana than 1t would have been possible to have accomplished under the law of Geor- gia Under tfle Georgia law the manage ment of the railroad properties is practi- caIly taken out of the hands of the men Who own the railroads and whose duty it is to serve the public. Experience shows that in Georgia and other states where there is a mandatory commission law the railroads spend just as little money in bet terments, etc., as possible; while in this state it is a well-known fact that larger percentage of the earnings of the railroads is spent for betterments and improving their tracks and equipment than probably in any other state, until today we can boast of having as good railroads with as good equipment, as almost any other state in the union.
 Tn this connection, attention is called to the following language embodied in the last annual report of the railroad commission or Alabama, in regard to Che physical con- dition of the railroads in this state:
 The commercial rivalry between com- peting lines of railway in Alabama has be- come so marked and active, and further general and permanent reduction of trans- portation rates so hazardous that railway companies are seeking 10 control passengar and freight traffic by devoting more time. care and a larger expenditure of capital to the maintenance of way and structures, the utilization of safety appliances of recog- nized and tested merits, the employment of the very best men to be procured to ill all the positions in the operating depart- ment, demanding capacity, efficiency and fidelity and the bringing into requisiti0n of superior equipment in cars and motive power, in order to promote quicker and safer transit for both passengers and freight
 As the logical result, therefore, of such competition. the. continuous improvement of the physical condition of lhe several rail- roads has become a necessity, especially on the trunk lines which make their gross earnings pay heavy tribute to these ob- jects. in order to achieve physical super iority as a condition precedent to securing the resulting benefits of increased traffic, as a source of increased revenue. The short lines. with a revenue contingent in d large degree upon an uncertain local traf- fife, are to he commended for the manner in which they have maintained their road, and the condition in which they have kept their equipment, with the limited resources at their command. Some of them, doubtless over sanguine iii .he possibilities of ulti- mate extension and the consequent enjoy ment nf largar and moro remllnnra five fields