The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-03-03

In the absence OF direct political issue the value
of the Florida Railroad Commission is fast becom
ing live topic with many of the State newspapers
The Ocala Banner leads the way in condemnation
of the Commission, while the Madison Recorder whose
owner is secretary of the Commission, is the most
staunch defender Of the body and its works.
weak spot in the position of the defenders is
lack of information stating the value of the Commits
sion in dollars and cents Generaties are abundant
but no definite figures of saving to the people are
announced. The statement is made that in many in
stances the freight rates have been reduced and with
that declaration the public mind is supposed to be
quoted.
Nor does the Commission itself present anything
satisfactory. Like alleged philanthropist is
reported to be doing good by stealth, is the Rail
road Commission reticent concerning its acts of bene
cence, trusting to establish reputation for uphold
ing the public welfare without disclosing the manner
of means or the net result of its efforts.
At present the members of the Commission are
extremely busy 1t is noticeable that industry always
prevails in that department of the State government
previous to an election All members are present at
Tallahassee and very active.
Railways being fined for failure to bulletin
belated trains, new depots ordered and matters
of like nature deliberately considered
The newspapers duly record this activity of the
Commission, and the people remember that there is
such a bureau in existence.
Sometimes the railways obey these orders. Again,
they do not Obedience depends upon the viewpoint
of the railway management A case occurred at Lake
City, where union depot was ordered by the Com
mission some years ago. The lines affected were the
s. A. L., the G. S. and F., andthe A. G. L., or Plant
System, as the latter was then known.
The Seaboard was going to build station to re-
place one that had burned, and had so made agree
ment with the G. and F. for joint construction and
occupancy. The Plant System demurred at the pro-
posed site which was at the junction of the other
roads, and refused to build with them unless the
station placed adjacent to its tracks. When this
refusal was brought to the notice of the Commits
sion of the members moved that action in case
of the Plant System "be deferred" No more orders
were issued The S. A. L. and G. S. and l.. built the
station the site that suited them and the Plant
System ocked by ITSELF while the new structure was
dubbed union depot, built by order of the Railroad
Commission.
Comment relative to the value of the Commission
has been aroused by the statement that the salaries
and expenses of the bureau for the past year were
nearly $l3,OOO causing inquiry to what benefit the
people have received for such expenditure.
The Palatka Times Herald thinks "when one con-
sders the immense amount saved the shippers of the
State through the efforts of this body this item of
expense is not heavy" The Times Herald, however,
confesses its ignorance of the saving 1t "imagines'
that it must be Hundreds of thousands Of dollars
judging from the Language of the newspapers"
Imagination, therefore, appears to be the varnish
that to shine the of popular belief in
the AVAILABILITY Of the Railroad Commission to be
other than an instrument of public welfare.
The Ocala Banner is also among the list of inquir
ers who are anxious to learn how much year the
Commission has saved to the people of the State,
and the DeLand News, in reply, does not seem able
to give answer concerning freight rates. but warns
up in discussion of the reduction of passenger fare
and points out that the great saving to travellers be-
tween Jacksonville and Orlando would pay the cost
Of the Commission to the whole State.