The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-28

WITHDRAWAL Of free transportation Under
the operation or recently enacted lave,
may be MI item worthy Of consideration
In tl,is connection
Tic commission Is Of opinion that u
maximum rate OF two cents per mile for
the transportation OF all intrastate pas
sehgers is not llnreasonnbly low for the
ronts enumerated, considering the pro-
portionnte value OF the property used by
them in lntrastate business and the char
hcter OF service rendered to ittrhstnte
passengers. }tfs3g3f1G,
THIS conclusion is bescd upon the bisi-
ness of the roads respectively. as shown
by the evidence in this case. and by tho
operating reports for the years 1905 and
1906
It is true that the net earnings Of The
several railroads enumerated in this
group are variable ns to amount, and the
presumption might arise that the roads
showing tho smaller earning power
should not be rlassed wit htfose showing
the larger We feel that this view IL
defeated by the fact that the lnrger enrn-
Ing roads, With one or two exceptions,
are using property of much greater value
per milo thai that used W the smaller
carners.
Earnings Increased.
ft has been urged by the carriers that
the prices of material and labor have
this investigation and arc continuing to
Increase since the evidence In the case
was taken. Examination shows. however,
that. IN practically all cases, the gross
earnings OF the roads are also increas-
ing. and that the most that can be shid
as to this claim, when properly analyzed,
is that the profits on increased gross
earnings are being absorbed by Increased
charges for labor and material, though
tho commission Is not prepared to find
that even this Is wholly true
In the case OF some Of the roads. such,
for instance, as the Southern. 1t Is found
that they are failing to accept and carry
much of tho intrastate Virginia traffic
originating on their lines, or tondered to
them by connecting lines. and which is
now making urgent demand upon them
for transportation. This failure to trans
port traffic rendered, and naturally trlb-
utory to them. is not found to exist on
those roads which are conducting the
largest amount OF business but on the
roads which are handling along their
tracks valume OF traffic below the ave-
rage.
II would appear from the evidence that
Il many of the roads which complain OF
lack OF revenue would utilize fully. MS
they should, tho improved facilities now
owned by them, both OF power and equip
n,ent. in the transportation of traffic nl-
ready offered to them, tho profit arising
from Increased business would soon take
care of any Increase in the cost OF ma
tcrial and labor.
The State OF Virginia and the whole
South is throbblng with energy and enter
prise. and teemng with traffic as never
before. The field of opportunity for rail-
road companies has widened and continues
to widen beyond the most sanguine ex-
recitation OF their official heads and adj
mittedly far beyond their present state
OF preparedness.
We have shown that the net profit aris-
ms from the handling Of this greatly In
creased and increasing traffic, even un-
der the reduction herein ordered. will be
equal to. II not greater than that en-
joyed by other standard and legitimate
business In the country.
1t is inconceivable that the carriers
should. under these conditions, find thems
selves unable to command the financial
credit necessary to the performance OF
their public duties and to the provision of
such increased facilities In the nature Of
track. terminals and equipment as may
DO necessary to keep pace with tho ex-
ponsion Of traffic of which they are to be.
come the beneflciaries.