The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-09
HOKE SMITH ROASTS
ROADS FOR WRECKS
Speaks at Atlanta Freight Blu
reau Annual Dinner
NO EXCUSE CAR SHORTAGE
Proper Service and Just Rates Will
Never Be Secured Until National
Government and States Force
Them From Railroads.
NO EXCUSE CAR SHORTAGE

Atlanta, January Sat the annual din
ner of the Atlanta freight bureau tonight
Governor elect Hoke Smith spoke at some
length on the railroad problem. He said
in part:
1.-THE duties of a railroad company are
dual; first, to the public. and second, to
Its stockholders. The officers who man
age the railroad property are selected by
the stockholders and have in view pri-
marily the payment of large dividends.
Appalling Situation.
'',The public must look to the state and
to the nation to protect their rights. The
people generally are appalled, at the pres
cnt railroad situation Almost daily they
hear of some terrible catastrophe, due to
a railroad wreck. Trains are delayed I'M
til twenty-four hours late is not an I'M
heard of situation Men engaged in ship
ping understand how difficult it is to OBJ
tain cars and how paralyzng is the de-
lay in transportation even after goods
are shipped.
"They also understand that excessive
and discriminatory charges are made by
the railroads for carrying freight. 1t Is
useless to present the excuse that these
troubles are caused by excessive bus
mess. The wrecks have been largely the
result of employing inexperienced. under
paid men and then of overworking them.
The increase In business has not been a
sudden increase. 1t has been gradual and
the volume of such business long ago de-
manded equipments In excess of those
provided. The delay in shipments has
been due largely to indifference to the
rights of the public.
No Excuse.
1.-The lack of sufficient equipment is no
sufficient excuse. Railroads have had
ample money with which to meet their
obligations to the public. A proper use
of their immense incomes would have
enabled them easily to meet public de-
mands. These roads have issued enor-
nous quantities of watered stock and
bonds. They are straining their proper
ties to pay dividends on this excessive
stock and bonds issue For this purpose
the public is charged unreasonable rates.
This is no party question. l long to
see the leaders of both parties represent
the rights of the people. | give credit,
with pleasure to President Roosevelt for
what h has done, and although I am
democrat I hope that the progressive ele-
ment of the republican party; the element
disposed to protect popular rights, led by
President Roosevelt, will prevent the tools
of corporations and the reactionary ele-
ment of the republican party from coming
again into control of that party
Must coerce Roads.
Mr.. Smith declared that a proper serv-
ice at just rates will never be secured
until the national government and the
states, acting in response to popular de-
mand, force them from the railroads.
The use of corporation money at the
polls, the use of free passes and the in
fuence of the railroads eXerted through
political agents, he asserted, are the three
great influences that at present make the
profile mdifficult of solution. With these
abolished, he said, a surprising rapidity
would be seen in securing to the people
a proper and reasonable service from
railroad corporations, both in state and
| interstate commerce.