The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-11

trol of its owners and into the hands of strange people, suffered none of the misfortunes. which had been so freely predicted as likely to befall all rail- road properties. On the contrary, 1t would seem that the particular prop erty APPRECIATED IN VALUE FROM THE DAY OF THE ORGANI- PATTON OF THE RAILROAD COM MISSION UNTIL THE FINAL COL LAPSE CAME under the tender min istrations of the giant railroad com bine crushed, squeezed and cast 1t away. The law authorizing sion shg was passed in 1879. WHEN THE STOCK OF THIS PARTICULAR CORPORATION WAS QUOTED AT 7s IN 1890, ELEVEN YEARS AFTER THE ORGANIZATION OF THE RAILROAD COMMlSS SSION AND TEN YEARS AFTER THE PROMULGA- TON OF ITS FIRST RULES AND ORDERS REGULATING RATES TO BE CHARGED FOR THE CARRIAGE OF PERSONS OR PROPERTY. THE SAME STOCK HAD INCREASED IN VALUE TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT IT WAS LISTED AT 121. Thus i, would seem that under the benef- cent operation of the Georgia Railroad Commission law" there had been no very marked depreciation fin the value of that particular property.
 Why the Control Failed.
 It may be inquired. then, why was it that this property ultimately fell i'm to the hands of a receiver? The answer IS easy, and may be given by asking another. How does the property of any man fall into the hands of a highwayman? In an evil hour 1t pass ed under the control of the Richnond Terminal Company. railroad coinbi- nation organized for the purpose of ab- sorbing other railroad properties gen. | erally. which, securing control Of | majority of the stock. wrecked 1t in order to rob the minority stockholders, | job performed, by the way. In | manner and by means. which would | have been disgrace to a professional highwayman. It is said that these gentry sometimes listen to the appeals | of widows and orphans and respect the rights of the helpless. but in the com mission of the robbery, to which have | referred, there was no circumstance to | commend it's conception, except its brutal impartiality This hfghwayman | was at least impartial, for he robbed | with an equal hand the infant at the | breast. stalwart young manhood, and | tottering, helpless old age, and strange ly enough, through all the years, that have passed with the memory of the wrongs they suffered, 1t was left to stranger in another State for the first time to impute the misfortunes of these people to the Railroad Commission of Georgia or to the "benefcent operation of the Railroad Commission law"
 Question: of Railroad Construction |.
 z by the enactment of this law? Let us see. In 1880 there were in Georgia 2S3 5miles of railroad track equipped and in operation. Eight years later this number increased to 4.2ss. An IN CREASE WITHIN THAT TIME OF 1.733 MILES. Four years later these figures had grown to 5.057 miles. AN LNCREASE OF 7ss MILES. The figures as increased by building for the present year are not yet at hand, but they may be safely placed at $500
 and thu under the benefcent opera
 ton of the Georgia Railroad Commis- sion law"
 Nor have the railroad compani& en- gagged in business in this State allow
 ed their properties to deteriorate in
 the matter either of track maintenance
 or equipment. As a matter of fact | lHcTc are Ho TdlliOduS HI lhC koOutAi
 which are better equipped, managed
 or operated, than ARE the roads IT
 Georgia. There is no State, in which
 the average net earnings are higher.
 There is no State, in which the public
 receives better service, or so good z
 service for as little money. Nor is
 there a State. in which there is less
 complaint upon the part of the public
 of it's carrier service. Nor yet z State. in which railroad companies act
 ing within their charter powers re-
 ceive fairer treatment or a fuller
 measure of justice.
 State Control a Fact.
 The State of Georgia recognized
 twenty years ago the fact that it had
 the power to control it's own creatures
 in the exercise of the charter power
 which it had conferred upon them. II
 recognized as well that the existence
 of this power imposed sovereign duty
 of exercising such control. duty
 which in justice to the public. it could not lightly put aside. The people
 moved in the matter. The result oi which was the present law of this
 State, authorizing the organization oi
 the Railroad Commission of Georgia
 The citizens of this State are satisfied
 with the result. They have no advice
 to offer to other States. They have set.
 tied their own problem in their owr , | way" Adv