The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-09
HENRY NJ. HOLLADAf,
Holjaday, Va, Jan. 6, 1900
rt4E1pauRo,p REVOLUTION.

In all the marvellous changes in Dust
ness methods and conditions CT "hlch
the last ten years have been SO pro!iiic.
it is probable that the greatest, at least
as regards its influence upon the whole
country, is the revolution which mas
been wrought in railroads affairs. II Is
not too much to say that the Old
po,icv of railroad management. winch
wrecked many great roads-the pohcy
of running a road for the benefit of It's
officials rather than for the joint Uene-
At of the stockholders and the public;
the policy which permitted the bribery
of politicians, forgetful of the day OF
retribution: the policy which paid more
attention TO stock rnanipulatlons IMAM
to the Improvement of roadbed ana
rolling stock-was a serious danger 10
our Institutions Under this system the
ownership of many roads was passing
into 1nscrupulous hands, and the PEG
pie at large were becoming embittered
against railroads TO a degree fhat 1ors-
boSed harm TO every business interest,"
Fortunately. there were some :onssr
vativeIy. honestly managed roads. ana
their success gradually created a cent?
ment in the railroad world when He-
manded the same policy OF all.
The Pennsylvania, with its maGni.i-
cenr record of steady advancement ss'ic
its unceasins: care for the travelling pubic:
the Vanderbilt lines, with the same wise
system, and others formed bass Tor
concentration OF the whole railroad
world AS one road after. another Gent
into bankruptcy strong n1en-T1en Of m
tegritv and ability-took hold OF fhelr
management. and now the IL ii3.e
universal rule is to run a railroad WIN
+, view TO rnainta.nins the highest poss.fie
efficiency to so improve the roadbed AMI
The rolling stock as to carry freight at the
minimum cost-in fact. at prices WHEN
ten years ago would have bankrupted any
railroad-and-to give 70 the puouc every
possible convenience and comfort iol
travel and transportation AS an eA
ample, contrast the difference petwesh
the Southern Railway OF to-day ana 'he
aisiointed. bankrupt lines OF ten years
400 which have been merged into one
compact organization. Then travel was
slow and uncomfortable. depots were a
nightmare and meals along the line were
something to shudder at Now tnrousi
trains of the fineStscars make IA 2id ulits.
attractive depotS are taking the place VI
the old lapidated sheds. and dining cars
have suppianted the railway res ll'
But these changes, so grateful 70 ess.s
traveller are but small part of the an
ference Then these broken-down roads
were Of little benefit in drawing tourists,
manufacturers of capital South *a,he
southern, with its weil-eauipped passen-
ger and Industrial departments, IS
power for the. upbuilding OF the south ssl
Millions Of money and thousands OF peo-
pie have come South by reason " ,es
great work along these lines. me SCUM
#erf road is a CONSPICUOUS example of this
$reyol.ltionizinS change. What IT has ass
eomplished under this new order OF
things is hardly understood or appreciates.
but gradually the public is learning Y
differentiate between the old methods OF
ten years ago and the broad and DUST isl
ness-like system of to-day-between9 tnes
policy of ignoring the public and INC Ap s,a-
icy which now prevails OF s,sill'
En,,i,Iit every possible convenience.
realizing. as its managers do. shat he
Enrosperity Of the people IS essentaa 10
{ the Ssssperitx of heirsrQad ana W. on y.