The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-20

of the railways and the car builders to
supply and that the imposition of car
service penalties would compel disefimina-
ton in favor Of shipments wholly within
the boards of the state imposing the pen
atty. 1T must be apparent, said he
that the inevitable result of this will be
to bring about a competition of greed
and rivalry between the States TO see
which can impose the heaviest penalties
and secure the largest supply of ears and
the most prompt service, and that every
penalty imposed for failure to do the I'M
possible must reduce the ability OF the
road to secure more cars and other need
ed betterments. 1t must also be apparent
that such a policy is in direct violation
of the common law rule forbidding dis
elimination, which has been Incorporated
in the federal and state statutes. 1t conf
pels discrimination in favor of transport
tation wholly within the state imposing
the heaviest penalty against other states
and against interstate traffic.
After referring to the radical difference
between the obligation upon the shipper
to pay demurage charges when he with
holds from its proper use property which
does not belong to him and the PROPOSE
ton TO penalize a railroad for failure TO
perform services beyond its ability, Mr..
Finley said: In this matter and others
which 1t is proposed TO regulate by leg
islatou it is for the best interest of all
concerned that the relations between the
railway and those buying transportation
from it should conform to the well es-
tablished rules that govern commercial
transactions OF all kinds. There seems
to be an idea in the minds of some that
the business of transportation by rail Is
so different from all other forms of hui
man activity and that the railway cor
poration is SO different from all other
business concerns that they should be
hedged about with restrictions Which
would be recognized as being fatal To
the success of an individual or corpora
ton engaged in any other business.
railway corporation is an organization
engaged in the production and selling OF
transportation and differs from other cor
porations generally in that it requires a
larger amount Of capital fer the creation
and operation of its plant than is need
ed in most other lines of business. EN-
actly like any other business enterprise
it's capital can only be secured IL those
seeking investments can he reasonably
sure of a fair return, and It's business
can only be conducted successfully ana
its facilities expanded If its income can
be kept up to the point necessary to sus-
tain it's credit and enable it to secure
new capital when required for these pof-
poses
Study Public interests.
Mr. FINLEY spoke at some length on
the Importance of railways and their en-
ployes studying the interests OF the pub
lie depending on them for transportation
and treating all members Of the pubic
] with courtesy and consideration, SAYING
| that he was determined to have this
policy observed on the lines OF the South
ern railway. He reviewed the great work
| that has been done by the land and IN
dustrial department of the Southern raj
way in assistir~ in the developments o.
the south AM only secondar!iy to the
road by the aerelopslent Of localities
along its lineg. II conclusion he SAID:
"--1,- toadeneifs in some loeallue5
are toward undertaking to regulate All
- u--a4.a oi the business OF tfahspor-
tstion by rail by statute law, regard
less of whether or not the statutes come
| into conflict with the immutable laws
Of economies and of trade. his Is moi
! a new proposition and lessons as To lhe
futility of attempting It may be learned
from the history of the past. Ever since
the day when King Canute stood upon
the coasts of Britain and forbade the
tide TO rise there have been men who
/ have believed that the laws of nature
and OF economics could be repealed OF
modified by legislative acts. Attempts
have been made to fix by law the prices
of commodities and the wages OF laboi
and TO prescribe Impossible conditions
for the conduct of business, but every
such attempt has ended IN failure ahe
the failure has generally been attended
...,.d consequences more disastrous thar
the wete'.7- 1.-The Royal robes that FOL
lowed King Canute's mandate 10 thu
tide.
transportation Problem.
THE transportation problem cannot o'
solved in prejudice or passion or i'll any
misunderstanding of the conditions tina
surround it, Its just solution c2lls To-
moderation and justice on the part o.
the people and a full understanding
and cooperation between our state ant
national governments and the railroads
In such an effort to work out success
fully the problem of the times and which
can only be solved on principles of con
struction and not destruction, and II
full recognition of the high and jus
purposes of both sides, may God speed
the railroads and the people of the grea
s." Of Georgia.
"One word in conclusion. 1t has be-
CHE popular to discredit the purposes
of the railroad manager whenever n
announces a policy intended TO improve
the relations between the carriers ant
lust principles. there are those who ques
ton his sincerity. An effort is made It
make of him thing apart from the geo
and patriotic men of the community.
appeal against such a sentiment TO thf
sense of right and justice of the Amerl
can people. We. who are striving TO I'M
prove conditions and to perform wei
our public duties, must be admitted Il
your confidence and upheld by your en-
coura cement. The task at best IS haNd
The conditions that surround us are mos
trying. We can only succeed If the sin
certify and honesty of our purposes arr
recognized by the people and we are up
held by their generous favor and co
operation"
Georuia BUILDING VIII Be Ready.
Atlanta, March 19.-(Special o-Presiden'
Mitchell of the Georgia jamestown eX
position commission returned from trir
he SSi