The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-07-05
The Railroads and the Atlanta News
papers,

The Railroads and the Atlanta News
papers.
For q long time the Atlanta newspapers
have on occasion criticised the railroads
with great severity. We do not know how
far the railroads may have been in the wrong,
but 1t Is evident that the newspapers are
sometimes in the wrong, too. For Instance:
Last week an effort was made TO secure an ex.
ira passenger or excursion train from Allan
Ia. The railroads refused the request. Fhe
newspapers charged up the refusal to politi-
cal reasons, or to a hope of defeating Hoke
smith who may be appealing to the peoples
prejudice to elect him to office.
The Atlanta Journal shows temper which
detracts from the strength OF Its position.
We would remark: The Journals state
ment or assignment OF reasons for the rail-
roads refusal OF the excursion train. shows
wrong on the part or that most excellent;
newspap per.
AS every man In America not In the bust
ness, conld. print a better ne spaper than the
|~'greatest editor is now printing, so u little
country newspaper knows more abpu: the
railroad business than the men In charge OF
them.
IL lie TdllEOhU olh "oulu SOuoCht " IL
| prove their methods in various respects 1t il
quite certain that they would not antagonist
so large a per cent. OF the jurors who are call
| ed upon to settle claims.
| AS a rule, more civil and more respectful
treatment of 1.-THE people and less ostentation
on the part OF little railroad officials wonld
have a happy effect. Railroad folk with tact
do not needIessly offend or Antagonists peopl.
who wish to transact business with them
AS a rule, the people do not make unreasona-
Die requests, and even If they do ask favors
which cannot be granted, q refusal couched
lin polite or respectful language, seldom o.
never gives ofense.
In the passenger department we think thu
different officers as q rule are more polite and
exhibit more of the cour,esies and amenities
current among gentleman, than is 10 be
found In some Of the other departments. II
the gentlemen in the passenger department
refused 10 run extra trains, the fact Of the re-
fusal should not give offense. The railroad, II
prompted to refusal because Of political rea
sons did a foolish thing. II they 20 into poll.
tics they Will be beaten.
If the railroads antagonist people by
any supercilious manner, the people will
remember both the wrong and the insult.
Later on they or their friends may tax 1t W
when they are on the jury TO settle damage OF
other suits. Because Of the political coarse.
ness on the part oflittle officers who may thiL k
they can exercise authority more autocratlc
and more dictatorial than Gear of Russia
might assume, the railroads have suffered
severely.
Another matter, when the railroads make q
promise, they should willingly and cheerful.
ly fulfill the engagement. To promise and
then try TO wlggle out OF performance is not
quite the proper thing.
II we were TO make specific charge agains,
the railroads, we would say that their subor
dinate officers are not distinguished for pc.
likeness in their correspondence.
II we were to name the greatest error which
the roads commit we would say that IL Is In
needlessly exciting antagonism through the
lack OF civility. People Re remember a wrong
and cherish animosity for superciliousness on
the part of minor officials.
II we were asked how TO avoid their need.
less antagonisms, we would suggest, as CORES
pondence is of first importance, that all let
ters OF subordinate officers on business b.
submitten to the President or 10 other edu.
Gated gentlemen who by birth, education and
environment have become familiar with some
of the amenities current among gentlemen.
| Nobody should take ofense at q respectful
refusal to grant a favor. But all men are
sensitive to ooarseness and are ready when
the time comes. to resent q lack OF civil
ty. Politeness is cheap. But a disregard
OF the amenities has cost the railroads
thousands Of dollars.
And now Hoke Smith is making political
capital out OF Interpretations acts Of little OF
icers. 1t seems that the people may be
arrayed solidly sgainst the railroads. We
are sorry to see the Atlanta Journal en-.
ooursging this fight on the roads. And we are
sorry that the railroads should encourage
and fasten achism between themselves and
the people. Little officers may insult PEG.
pie who may want 10 deal with their roads,
but they may rest assured that there is a
day OF reckoning, when the people will be
the victors.