The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-27

iHB the railroad commissioners Oh THIS
state elected by the people. Whatever
may be the grievances of the communi-
ties and individuals against railroad COM
panies, do not believe that the enact
ment of law making the commissioners
elective by the people would accomplish
the desired results in satisfactory man
ner. A law Of this kind would open a
new field for the demagogue, and would
cause many to seek the position Of rail-
road commissioners relying on the per-
sonal popularity and their ability to ex-
cite prejudice against railroads in par
ticular, and corporations in general
without being qualified in any particular
for so important a position.
The office of railroad commissioner is
attractive to some by reason Of the lib
eral salary paid and to others on account
of salary and authority conferred by the
office, and hence in a general election
there would be a promiscuous scramble
for these places, which would be sought
probably by a hundred aspirants.
The office of railroad commissioner is
very important one as the interests of
the interests and prosperity Of very
large property interest, which is intimate
ly connected with the prosperity and de-
velopment of the state, and which some
people seem to desire to have the state,
through It's agents, to absolutely control
The men who fill the offices of railroad
commissioner should be Of large business
experience judicial mind and broad views
on public questions; men who are success
full in their respective avocatlons ana
who would be able to comprehend the
needs of the people and be just to all In
the execution of the laws pertaining TO
their office. Can men of such qualihca-
tons be best selected by nomination at
the primaries, or in. conventions, and be
elected by the people? Are the people
at large prepared to select and judge or
the capabilities of the candidates as Wen
as the Governor and senate, who are now
empowered to select them! 1t may be
said that the appointees have not at all
tinles been satisfactory. Is that any rea-
son that the law is defective2 Are not
the Governor and senate chosen by the
people-are they not more competent
Are they not better qualified to select
competent men than the people in the
heat of a political canvass, as they would
be in q position to calmly and thoroughly
consider the qualification of any candi-
date that might seek the office under the
present law? These agencies OF the state
governor and senate) should be held re-
sponsible for the selection of competent
cd of appointment
The present salaries paid are none too
large for competent men, but IL is Well-
known fact many members of the leSls-
lature elected from time to time regard
salary of $1,e00 as sufficient compensa-
ton for any man, and have serious
doubts as to whether man can non
estly make mere than that amount In
one year. Such legislators will clamor
for reform by reduction of salaries, and
If insufficient compensation should be Oh
fered, men will seek the office OF rail-
road commissioner who fit the salary
Doubtless many appointees to this office
enter upon its duties expecting to make
great reforms and right prejudiced
wrongs, but they are appalled, by the
magnitude of the questions to be con-
sidered, and shrink from the undertake
ing, or attempt to handle questlons when
they cannot understand, and probably
cause changes which bring more evil than
| good.
| think that people generally fail to APP
preciate the fact that in these days the
making and adjusting of railroad rates
has become a science and that 1t requires
years of training, with liberal natural
| endowments for a man to become cap
able railroad traffic manager. The com
plioations as to the adjustment OF rates
are so intricate that at many times
the change, or readjustment at one point
causes confusion and great disturbance
at other places. How then can man
who knows nothing whatever of the man
agement of railroads. handle properly
and arbitrarily adjust rates with fairness
and Justice to all? Should commission
ers then, selected in most haphazard
way be given unrestrained authority in
adjusting complaints? l have always
thought that the law should require at
least one of the commissioners to be
sklned in railroad trafflc business with
fair understanding of operating rail-
road Railroads, therefore, very natur-
ally resist the enactment and enforce
ment of laws that put their property un-
der control of inexperienced and incom-
petent men; in fact the owners of such
| rrcperty are inclined to regard 1t as one
! form of confiscation. No one denies that
! railroads and other corporations derive
| their existence and powers from the au-
thority of the people and should be under
proper and reasonable restraint but 1t is
! hardly right and fair to offer inducements
at one period to capitalists to invest their
money in railroad property, which prac-
! tically cannot be moved, whatever cond-
1 lions may exist, and have burdens inn
posed later that are onerous ana unreas-
enable.
II Is a well-known fact, that within the
mast twenty years the reduction In the
rates of freight have been greater than
! the most optimistic person could have
| anticipated This mas been brought about
| by consolidation of short lines into sys-
| TENS improved management and suffi-
cheney of capital to enable the road, as to
its physical condition and equipment, to
! increase largely the tonnage to the car
! and the number of cars in a train. This
/ Improvement will go on from time to
time and the public will likely receive its
share of the benefits derived therefrom.
! While believe that laws should be enact
/ cd that would prevent excessive rates and
unjust discrimination, /, at the same
time believe that the railroad authori-
| ties should be allowed the management
property in such a way as to give the
| best results and to give to the stockhold-
! er a fair and reasonable return on his
| investment.
| No one will deny the fact that tine rail-
roads in this state, under able manage
ment have been the greatest factors in
cur development. This is especially true
with our section, but, at the same time,
all trade centers and other communities
of the state have received correspond
ing advantages. Some communities and
individuals have grievances that are just.
We all, perhaps. desire to have certain
changes made with reference to rates, or
some other service to be performed by
the railroad companies Many doubtless,
are reasonable and some unreasonable
A great many complaints are based on
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the individual desires
some advantage over his competitor or
some community or town desires advant-