The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-20
STRONG VIEWS ON
RAILROAD CONFLICT
President Habliston Urges Har-
mony for Welfare OF the
South.
IDEPLoREs CHEAP POLITICS 5
Richmond Banker Favors Judi
cious Control, But Without
Hostility.
DEPLoREs CHEAP POLITICS.

President William M. Habliston, of
the National Bank of Virginia. In ran
Interview withta representative of The
Times Dispatch yesterday, discussed
clearly the strained relations existing
between the States and the corpora
tions. and urged harmony that capital
might not be frightened away. Mr.
Habliston views the conflict from the
standpoint of g disinterested critic,
and his utterance will command at
tention. not only here. but in the mar
kets of the East. where financial eyes
are upon the South. FIe said:
"a conflict between any corporate
Interest and the State is to he de-
plored and none more than conflict
between the great railroad companies
and the State.
There could not be a more fnoppor-
tune time than the present, when the
financial resources of this country
have been strained by the great in
dustrial developments. Banks have
responded to the needs of the business
communities until the increase of their
loans have been out of all proportion
t to the increase In their reserve. Not
only is there a great demand In this
country for money. but abroad the
demand Is nearly as great, each coun-
try striving to build up its reserve.
"However much the conflict is to be
deplored 1t exists, and neither side has
shown the consideration that the other
deserves and what the present flnan-
cial conditions demand. To gain their
respective points most drastic steps
have been taken. On one side the rail-
roads proclaim in advance that they
cannot get justice ina State court;
on the other side 1t is thought to he. q
crime If an appeal Is made to the
laws Of the general country to pro-
tect corporatel interest the major
ity of which is owned by citizens CT
other States than the one legislating;
and. however unjust n rate may be. it
must be, put into operation at once
without any remedy except long aud
tedious law suits, first through State
courts. then by appeal to the United
States courts II the latter will even
be allowed without threats of ven-
geance In the way of adverse legisln-3
tion.
No One-Slded Conflict.
",This conflict has by no means bean
one-sided. 1t has been brought on TO
n great extent by the railroads: their
UNJUST system of rebates. their holding
up of Just claims. and the tedious de-
lay in payment of them; their arbitrary
rulings, and the lack OF courtesy by
many of the petty officials have done
much to bring about the antagonism
to the railroads,
"Many of the causes of complaint
have been removed. Few Of the rails
roads to-day grant rebates. Claims are
more promptly paid in almost every
instance. and all of the oifcialsiand em-s
ployes of the railroad that Ihave come
lin contact with for some time have
heen exceedingly courteous and ac-
Icommodating. To-day the State is more
drastic than ever. before, when i be-
Ilieve' an earnest effort is heing made
by the railroads to remedy the condi-
tions.
III. the railroads have done wrong
two wrongs do not make. a right, There
should be some legal way In which
1.-THE Justice. and equity of a rate could be
tested In advance Of the enforced re-
duction; The rate shonld not he .arbi-
ltrarily advanced or reduced,
"The Corporation Commissions are
needed. Our corporations should ,un-
lContlnued on SeYe0th Page,l