The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-12
FRIDAY, APRIL u, 1907.
Little things that are not III meant
may produce much lI.-Chares Lamb.
Railroads and the People.

For twenty years the railroads as
class were as arrogant as the sra'u
dukes Of Russia and as intractable as
tho Bourbons. They sowed the seeds Oh
II deep popular resentment far and VIDE.
and to-day the whole country is rcaping
the bitter harvest Of that sowing me
railroads are confronted by a desperate
situation, which is not becoming easier.
All classes Of railroad employees are de-
manding greatly increased wages, and IN
many cases, Notwithstanding the increase,
are giving less efficient work per day
than five years ago. Material for rail-
road construction and operation has like
wise advanced enormously in cost. and
shows no sign of early recession. On the
pther hand, increased business in all
branches demands immediate extension OF
transportation facilities, which the rail-
roads are not able to grant. Ordinarily,
with manufacturing and agriculture and
mining at the full tide Of prosperity the
railroads would welcome the chance for
growth, and would borrow the capital
necessary for new cks and new equip
uient. Like any other boom, this expan-
ron might be oyerdone. and that fear
might lessen the willingness OF bankers
10 advance very large sums for such pro-
iat.is. In this rase no SUCH fear exists.
~ ms drsaas oss-- building Of railroads
:, os's,-sai1giy Of cars and engines. The
nr.r danse- lies IL the fart that the gem
s-pi :iasiaass VII t,e damaged because
~ -ai,:pzaas ranpot supply adequate
t-s.l.sit.tEt;Ftae5au tar4tit5es- surf a oondi-
Linz LIS gseyEa. ex5stes before il this
rqniz--E w5clau1 u q-ssa causing q great
-zlg. n -a;5tta2 2tl9 ,siErosd Development
.e-EEgs aeVey1ts.. though t:a4 aeea is ap-
1sa-e,s azla LIZ ratstai abundant, the in
7tsEFs:,zlst.as are NJ. alads because Of the
ssptsiss s2.aslss. AIS ssllTs4ad proper TICS,
ST.. szt= Gf.sid so- investors Twenty
sslEstlt s-ztas are, by legislatures ana
esza.rsssHlzs.ss reducing passenger fares
ss1a tEe2sisE -atas-Qfien with no jus, re-
gsr5 - surrounding condttions--as. for
eraaple. Arkansas. when. with one
sentn the pa.senger traffic Of New Eng
izEd, is.,.1efs.andihg The game passenger
~a-a. In addition TO this, the railroads
are being SO penalzsd for delays in sched-
uIe and service. and so restricted as to
freight rates, that there arc serious
grounds for fearing real ccnfiscatlon OF
railroad property under the guisc Of rea-
sonable regulation.
The Times-D Dispatch has warned tho
railroads for years Of the hostility their
course was arouslng, and now that the
expected has happened we offer to the
harassed managers and terrified investors
our profound conviction that no conGs-
cation. is Intended or impending. Too
many people are interested in the rail-
roads, and too much is Mt stake 10
allow them to be destroyed BY ill-consld-
cred retaliation. And what is more the
common sense and honesty Of this peo.
pie are stil unbemished and intact. Nc
piratical onslaught is meant. and nc
coiliiscation WIN ultimately be permitted
III the meantime the whole country i
suffering by reason OF loss Of conldcnc,
IN the stability Of railroad values n.
restore this confidence and to rc-establlsl
these values on a just. basis should b
me effort of all allke-both railroad man
aver, statesman. shipper and manufac
'uref' Let the railroads tell the peopl
more fully the troubles and dncultle
'sat they encounter. and lei the fair
minded people ponder more deeply o
the fact that the prosperity OF the conn
try cannot continue If the value Of raj!
road securities is to be permanently an
uniustly impaired