Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-05-03
The Railroads and the San Francisco
Calamity.

/ III 'hC vast WI n VI no
victims of the great earthquake which
| wrought such terrible disaster to San
Francisco and vicinity. the railroad
and express companies have borne
conspicuous and honorable part. NOT
only have they carried and are stlii
carrying thousands Of refugees from
the scene OF disaster free Of charge;
but they are also giving free service IN
the forwarding Of the relief supplies
that are being hurried to the stricken
communities from all parts oil the
country. This free service must rep
resent a vast aggregate of expendi-
ture; but it has been given promptly
and cheerfully.
In these days when the man with the
mud rake Is working over time the
railroads have been made the targets
for a large amount Of hostile criticism.
Undoubtedly grave abuses have &C.
CURED in some quarters, but this does
not change the fact that the great
majority of the railroad properties in
this country are honestly and ably
managed The men charged with their
management are big hearted and big
Drained. They know thoroughly the
resources and the needs of the commu-
the fact that in building up those COM
munities by encouraging their
development along the lines of their
natural advantages they are, at the
same time. promoting the welfare of
the important interests they represent.
There are many blatant agitaters
inveighing against the railroads who
never pause long enough to think how
closely connected our systems of
communication are with our national
prosperity, or to what IN ex-
tent in promoting their own interests.
they promote at the same time the
interests of the public at large.
No state in the Union owes more to
its railroads than the State of Maine.
Largely through their advertising there
has been built up great and growing
summer resort business which means
the annual distribution of millions of
dollars among our citizens. They have
made our State a sportsmen's paradise.
They have enlarged the markets for
no.
vastly stimulated the development of
our big forests. our splendid quarries.
and our varied manufacturing in
dustries. When calamity comes. as it
came to san Francisco and vicinity
they are always prompt to lend help
| ing hand.
1t is well for thoughtful citizens 10
bear these facts in mind. Criticism is
cheap, and the clrpinG kind of
criticism often founded on personal
| malice, which sometimes becomes
| chronic with men of large conceit aud
| small mental calibre is cheaper still.
1t is our opinion that criticism Of this
kind does not long deceive or niislead
an intelligent people.
Abuses Of railroads should be cor
rect a. Occupying rs they do Il peculiar
relation to The public through the
special rights granted them for the
good Of all the people, it is peculiarly
| incumbent upon them to see that every
citizen is accorded fair and equal rights
| in their administration. The fact. how
ever. that a few roads have been guilty
| Of unjust determinations. is a very
| slim foundation upon which T." frame
all indictment of the railroads IN
| general-the great majority of which
| are fairly. honestly and ably managed,
ami whose able officials represent
| the best type of American citizenship
a fact which is always brought int
special relief in times Of great
emergency.
L