The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1906-11-15
-RAIL RoAn LonaY Ar INoaIs.


The Two cent ARE proposition
rilmbling nightly ID the distance and
the people are helping make the
\ noise, but that doesn't brighten our
esteemed friend and railroad lobbyist.
WHO has all along pleaded the cause
of the corporations, the editor Of the
Charleston News. He argues very
well on some points, but seems for
getful OF others. However in order
that we may take no advantage OF
him, we reproduce recent editorial
| in full and at the same time show
what the people will have to contend
against in the matter OF reduced rail
road rates. The Charleston paper
says:
'"rhe Wheeling News asserts that
large percentage Of the representa-
tives elect to the Legislature have
been pledged by their nominating con.
ventions to vote for bill limiting
the charges of transportation to two
cents mile. This may be true, 1t is
possible that our Wheeling contem.
porary, being enamored of the scheme,
as taken more careful note of the
proceedings OF nominating CONVEX
tons upon this matter than others
NrbO touV hn Iocc rnnOornol
at remains true. however, that the
movement is III considered. injudi.
cious and entirely without proper re-
gard for legislative proprEeties. 1t
ought to he taken for granted that the
railroads are possessed of some rights
which the public and its representa-
tives are bound to respect. And 1t
ought not to be anticipated that mem.
bers OF the Legislature will turn a
deaf ear to the claims Of the railroads
upon their respect and consideration.
"The railroads, through their repre-
senatives, will likely be able to pre-.
sent TO the Legislative committees
some arguments TO rebIt the sonic.
what popular notion that they are talk.
ing FROM their passage patrons some.
| thing without due process Of reason
ableness.
at is a ravorite argument of the
2-cent.a.mi}ers that other States have
SO legislated. and they point with
much gusto If not pride, to the @X-
ample of Ohio. where railroads have
been forced down to the favorite rate.
But this fact is not, by any means,
conclusive for West Virginia. The
railroad business in this State has
not reached the condition of perfec-
ton that exists across the border.
There. the business is at a top.notch
status. Railroad building and main.
tenance is not the source Of financial
drain upon the capital and surplus /
that 1t is in the mountainous country
Of West Virginia. The Ohio tracks are
constructed not through the noun
tainS, but through fiat and llnOb- I
structed country. There are not the
grades to pass over that we have here. I
And for the most part, in Ohio the (
roads are through trunk lines and
have great earning capacity, while in
West Virginia considerable, if not a .
major percentage Of the railroad /
mileage is comprised of short line ,
roads, entirely within the State. And .
we believe It is by no one commended
that these roads could subsist If re.
stricted in their charges of a two cent
mile basis.
"As we see it. the Legislature can
perform service to the people Of
more far-reaChing value than this.
The Legislature can, by proper enact.
ments compel the railroads, as pub
lie highways, to give more efficient
service to their home shippers. At
present the railroads do not do their
full duty. The whole State of West
Virginia might be made to abound
with the most astounding measure of
IAdistrial prosperity. Il the local ship
pers were properly served by the rail
roads In place of the two days per
week operations of the coal mines as
ut present, the market demands for
West Virginia coal call for full work.
The industrial success OF West Vir.
ginia depends In greatest measure up
on the successful operation Of the
coal mines.
"lr the legislature approaches its
duty in the wisest way. it will not seek
10 curail the business opportunities Of
The railroads. Those who ride most
frequently on the railroads are not
seriously of railroad
fares. The passenger service should