The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-11
Dollars and Sense.

4 COMMUNICATION appears In |
~ an esteemed contemporary |
4 ~ from respected citizen and |
taxpayer in which the |
thought is expressed that passionate |
outburst against the Scranton Rail-
way company, whether just or unjust,
may operate to the detriment of the
city by intimidating foreign capital
and preventing it from investing in
local enterprises. The point is worthy
of careful attention, for as that writer
we'll says, the city has reached turn
ing point when the question of safe
guarding its future must command
serious consideration. No true friend
of Scranton would wish to put Stun
bling blocks in the way of it's COM
mercial and industrial development.
but on the contrary there is high need
of increased public spirit directed to
the vigorous promotion of additional
enterprise.
There cannot be two opinions as to
the propriety and necessity of placing
about invested capital the full protec-
this constitutional obligation by a
public sentiment OF good feeling and
announcement so long as deserved.
For this reason the disorder and in
cipent anarchy prevalent during the
recent street car strike were proper
objects of criticism and rebuke. 1t will
be remembered that The Tribune con-
demned them unsparingly and called
upon all friends Of law and order to
suppress them. This demand was in
dorsed BY thousands of good citizens
who sympathized with the strikers but
who recognized that superior to any
temporary dispute between capital and
labor is the reputation of the city as
place where property rights receive
due respect and where the officers of
the law enforce the law without fear
or favor. 1t is fair to add that the
strikers themselves officially indorsed
this position.
But while up TO this point there can
not be reasonable dissent from the
views expressed by Mr.. W. f. Mates
In last evenings Truth in the letter
which we have taken the liberty TO
reprint it Is open to very pointed
question whether the best interests OF
the city are in the long run to be sub
served by tame acquiescence in i'm
position. The Scranton Railway COM
pany, Mr.. Mates tells us, had the
nerve to come in here and take risks
which local capitalists were unwilling
To continue. We concede it's nerve
We concede also that it's running
OF cars both over lines estab-
lished before its entry and along
lines since opened has contributed not
little to the convenience and de-
velopment of our city. But does that
constitute adequate warrant for it to
arbitrarily threaten to cancel one of
the conditions, certainly moral and
probably legal of its occupancy of our
streots-namey, the granting of trans
fcrs? Simply because incidentally to
its speculation in free franchises it has
done some good by facilitating subur-
ban growth and urban intercommuni-
cation. ought the community, which
has already given millions almost
without condition, now, at the COM
pany's demand. put hand in pocket
and give more?
BY all means let outside capital be
encouraged to come to Scranton If it
comes honestly and honorably, intend
Ing to deal fairly as it would be dealt
by. To this end. all forms Of mob vio-
lence must be frowned upon and sup
pressed; and respect for law and order
be inhexibly enforced. This is as nec-
essary to labor az to capital, so that
each may hold what is its due and re-
ceive the stable and impartial protec-
tion against outrage which is the
prime purpose of government But II
is also necessary in the public interest
to let allen holders of public franchises
know that the people, too. have rights.
If in the past they have been careless
In safeguarding their rights; If in con
sequence OF their carelessness they are
now involved in "a tangle of legal COM
plications and endorsements likely
to impose exemplary discipline and
correction; If, in short, the sowing OF
neglect is eliminating In a harvest OF
trouble-then all the more necessary
lis it that public opinion should be
saroused and allowed to ferment until
II reaches the level OF effective action
In the direction of justice and self.
protection.
Honest capital does not fear homes
discussion. on the contrary, wateret
investments resting in part on corrupt