Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-03-20
RAILROADS AND
THEIR RELATIONS
MIR. Finley Of the Southern Rail-
way Discusses Them in
Their Various Aspects.
THE TREND OF LEGISLATION.
NerTeves IL Threatens the Prosperity OF
The Roads and the Country
lie appeals for Justice-

Atlanta. Go. March 1e--At the an
nual dinner OF the Atlantic chamber OF
commerce tonight President w w Flh-
ley OF the Southern railway VINO was
one OF the principal speakers devoted
his remarks entirely 70 The relations be-
tween the railroads on The one hand ard
ahe people and The state and national
governments on the other band. Nit
Finley indicated his belief that the
present trend OF legislation endanscrs
the prosperity of the railroads and the
country alike
MI Finley said Il had always been
the desire of the railways TO maintain
cordial relations with the people along
their lines ana that the railways must
cultivate the good Nplll and cooperation
OF the people by the adoption and pro-
Jfulgation OF economically and CONNER
cially suund principles IN inc coruuci Oh
their bu sness.
III the railways are TO secure the
large ntnountH of new capital required
to enable thetn 90 meet the rapidly IN
creaslng demands Tor their SERVICES,
ne said 'sher credit must be such as TO
assure investors % q reasonable return
upon their money. The south now has
rates than enable southern producers
to market their products In widely sep
atased home and foreign markets on
such terms that they can compete suc-
scssfully with similar products from
other localities, but " has not the nlea ms
Of moving these products to market
as promptly az is desirable. Every ship
per wants lower rates Eut when rates
are SO low as 90 enable him TO reach
competitors, prompt and efficient SER
Vice becomes Df more Importance than
rate reduction, The imperative need of
the south today is Improved transporta-
lion service. ! am sure that the bust
ness mel Of this section VIII agree with
me that improved facilities are more
urgently needed than any reduction III
charges"
while approving The policy of Inn
proving rivers and harb0rs at PUBLIC
expense, Mr.. Finley contrasted the at
tittlde OF The public toward carriers by
water and by rail, polntlng out that
the former pays nothing for his higa-
way that II Is maintained and linz
proved at public expe nse- while the CAR
fieT by rail must construct his OWE
highway, pay heavy taxes and Is sub
jecteJ 90 increasing governmental SUI
perry sion and regulation. He urged a
popular understanding OF the facts that
rail transportation is more important
than water transportation. expressing
the belief that when the lnter-depen-
understood. the people VIII be as reluc-
tant to place obstacles IN the way OF
railway improvements as they would
be to oppose the Improvement OF water
ways.
Expressing the belief that there Is
danger that legislation intended To reg
ulaae railways may prove To be an OBJ
stacle to their eStension and develop
nent and may tend 10 make worse, in
stead OF better, the conditions sought
TO be reinedledT Mr.. Finley cited as an
iIsstration Legislation proposing TO itn-
pose penalties for failure to supply cars
or to perform other servicesf without
regard 10 whether such Failure Is the
result OF MiIfuI negligence. l1e declared
the present demand Tor cars Is beyond
the capacity 81 the railways and the
car builders 10 supply, and that the Inn
position OF car service penalties would
compel discrimination in favor of ship
nients wholly within the borders of the
state imposing the penalty,
II must be apparent, said he.
THAT the Inevitable result of this VIII
be TO bring about competition OF
greed and rivalry between the states
10 see which can impose the heaviest
penalty and secure the largest NUM-
Der of ears and the most prompt SER
vice. and that every penalty Imposed
for failure to do the impossible must
reduce the ability OF the road 10 Sc
cure fllOTc CARS H1t1 Ollltl llcruSu pUt-
tcrments 1t must be apparent that
such IL policy is in direct violation OF
the common law rule forbiddtng dis
elimination, which has been moor
porhted in the federal and state stat
uses- 1t cOmpels discrimination In
favor of transportation wholly within
the stale Imposing the heaviest pen-
atty against other states and against
Interstate TRAFFIC.
After referring to the radical diff
ference between the obligatiQp on the
shipper 20 pay demnrrage charges
when he wfthholds from Its proper
use property which does not belong to
him and the proposition 10 penatize
n railroad for failure TO perform SER
vices beyond its ability. Mr.. Finley
said:
I'm this matter and others which 1t
is proposed 10 regulate by legislation
II is for the best Interest OF all con-
cerned that the relations between the
railway and those buying trausporta-
ton from II shoud conform to the
we'll established business rules that
govern commercial TRANSACT ons Of all
kinds A railway corporation differs
from other corporations generally In
mat II requires a larger amount OF
capital for the construction ana opera
lion OF Its plant Ihan Is needed In mort
other lines OF business.
Its capital can only loo secured II
those seeking investments can bs
reasonably sure OF q fair return. and
It's business can only be conducted
successfully and It's facilities expanded
N It's income can be kept NO no the
point necessary 10 sustain It's credit
and enable 1t 10 secure new capital
when required for these PURPOSES.
THE transportation problem can
not be solved In prejudice or passion
or IN any misunderstanding Of tho con-
diStone that surround II. It's 1ust So
luton calls FOR m liberation and Justice