The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-27
MAKING RAILROAD RATES
HAS BECOME A SCIENCE

have them rectified, and who thought
over and nursed their wrongs until they
allowed themselves to be prejudiced
agains. railroads and all other corpora
lions. l do not consider railroad mana
gers and employees perfect by any means
they make mistakes as other people,
and some of them, for the good of the
railroads and the public, should be en-
gagged In some other business. Sometimes
the ticket agent in a village assumes the
air of large ownership, and some sub
ordinate officials readily take on the au-
thority an dignity of the president.
These short comings should be attributed
to the weakness of human nature. It
should be remembered that discourtesies
of employees and errors committed by
railroad men seldom become known to
the management. 1t is only just to the
managers of railroads that the parties
who have these grievances should bring
them to their attention; besides IL is as
difficult for railroad companies at all
tines to find efficient and satisfactory
employees as in other lines of business.
Their business has enlarged and extend
ed, but the supply of competent men
has not increased in proportion.
One very important question to be con-
sidered, is whether or not the railroad
companies will consider the election of
commissioners by the people so menacing
to their interests as to constrain them
Il
road companies have large influence ma
turally, and a large number of employees,
and to enter into politics on one question
would likely lead to their taking an ac-
tive part in other political question.
do not believe that railroad companies in
this state, up to this time, have ever
made any organized effort to bring about
any particular legislation in their inter-
est through their attorneys or authorized
! agents, they have attempted to prevent
the enactment of laws that they believed
damaging to their properties. This is
perfectly legitimate, and individuals.
communities ard other corporations feel
at liberty to do the same. With my
knowledge of and acquaintance with the
railroad managers in this state, L do not
believe they desire to enter into a politi-
cal scramble, and therefore, l believe 1t
all the more important that no steps
should be taken leading them to adopt
such a policy. 1 believe as I have said
that the governor and the senate, are
thoroughly capable of selecting the most
available men as railroad commissioners
and the legislature is without limit in its
power to enact laws enabling the COM
mission to be effective and to properly
guard the interests of the people. Those
who have the appointing power can be
held strictly responsible for selecting
competent ard suitable men.
1t is well-known to many that those
dissatisfied with the present methods of
adjusting differ ences with the railroad
companies, have desired nothing better
than to have a railroad commission pro-
vided and opeI ated as exists under the
laws of the state of Georgia. 1t is well
known that the Georgia commissioners
are appointed by the governor, and
believe are considered today the ablest
board of commissioners in the South
They appear to give entire satisfaction
to the people, and 1 think reasonable sat
isfaction to the railroad companies. The
same is the case in Virginia The con-
vention in that state, which recently adj
journed end remained in session far long
er than any other state convention has
ever done, discussed this question in all
It's phases and left the power of appoint
ment IN the hands of the governor.
Reference has been made as to the COM
missioners in this state beirg paid by the
railroad companies. 1t is true That the
railroad companies are assessed a privi-
leGe tax, which probe bly, in the aggregate
amounts to the salaries of the abroad
commissioners, and the expenses of their
/ office, but this money goes into the state
treasury as revenue as from any other
source and is not applied directly to the
payment of the commissioners, who draw
their salaries from the state treasury.
| The school teacher, or any official of the
state, Is as likely to receive the railroad
money as the commissioners. 1 am sat
isfied that this assessment of the railroad
companies has no effect whatever upon
the action Of the commissioners 1t
would be ridiculous to think nc.
1t has been conceded by all the legis-
| lature, which is to convene next winter,
will have grave and important questions
| to consider and that there is demand
| for the lest and ncst conservative men
| who can be induced to accept the posi-
! tion of legislator. Many provisions Of the
nCw Constitution will have to be put into
force and effect by law. hence the need
of wise and experienced men. Can it be
! pos sibls then, under such circumstances,
that any Of our citizens should think that
| the votirg for the election of railroad
commissioners by the people should be the
chief qualification of a legislator. Are
| they willing to choose the men who sim
ply promise to vote for a bill providing
| for election of commissioners by The peo-
pie in preference to candidates who are
qualified to cor slider all kind of important
questions, but prefer to attend the legis-
lature with their hands united, or be-
| lteXe it is best for the people that the
commissioners should not be elected.
| wish it clearly understood that l have
not written this communication to cham
| ri6n the railroad interest but l have taxi
en- this position in the interest of the pco-
pie, as well as the railroad companies,
| believing TINT one cannot prosper without
The other. l believe, therefore, however
sincere the business men who have or
| ganized in the interests Of electing the
commissioners by the people may be,
they are making mistake.
have presented this question in
this way so as to cause think
l have been In the past, in the active
| iEg people to consider 1T without passion
or prejudice. 1 believe 1t is useless to
Undertake to pass any law that will
please everybody, but we certainly desire
to have laws that will bring the greatest
good to the greatest number. / have nc
personal interest to serve in this matter
1 have been in the past, in theactfv:
management of railroad property, which
enables me to better see both sides OF
the question. My interests lie as a patron
of the railroad companies, as owner OF
! farm lands, merchant and shipper OF
| manufactured products. II has been SUI
| gested that the iron people in this dis
| trict have held before them the fear OF
| the rates on iron and coal being advanc-
| ed II other rates should be reduced. I
| do not think that the iron and coal peo-
| pie entertain any such fears. They have
| troubles enough of their own and they
! do not expect to be ladened with the bur-
dens of others.
| have not written this with view or
desire to controversy into any newspaper,
but l submit the question in form that
the hope that the people will reflect care
fully and advocate only such measures
as will be best for all interests.
| Yours very truly.
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