The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-03-12

GOAL AND The RAILROADS.

While this legislature has been dila-
tory about most of its business and has
consumed a good deal of time need
lessly, it has been conspicuous in its
refusal to enact unnecessary measures
or to heed demands for destructive leg
islstion In that much it is entitled to
considerable credit: and if it's closing
days. now at hand. shall show due re-
gard and discrimination as to what is
important and essential. 1t may pass
as fairly creditable session.
One of the proposed laws which has
aroused good deal of unnecessary mis-
statement and misunderstanding is the
one designed to permit railroads to own
and operate coal lands The opponents
of this bill declare that its passage
would mean the eternal obliteration Of
Independent companies, the monopoly
of all coal lands in the state by railroad
companies. the ultimate commercial de-
structiOn of the state and the slavery of
all its people. II view of the fact that
railroads have owned Utah coal lands
for a good many years and none of
these disasters have befanen. such wild
statements need not be discussed Sc
riously.
There is no question but that rail-
road companies in Utah have been re-
sponsible for good deal that was
wrong. Oppressive and calculated to in
wife retaliation. The railroad people
themselves acknowledge these facts
and are making such reparation as they
can Independent companies are getting
shipping facilities where they were for
merly denied: they are being encour-
aged instead of being stified capital
which was formerly unwilling to UNDER
take independent operations is now
going into the coal fields. No railroad
company in the present state of public
opinion would be foolish enough to per-
which have made so much sentiment
against them.
Conceding the wrongs that existed. il
is only fair to give credit for the rem
edies that have been applied. But this
particular measure is designed TO meet
condition that calls for action. The
fuel supply in Utah, both for domestic
and manufacturing use, is inadequate,
no matter who is responsible for that
situation II By any chance the rail-
road coal mines were shut down. every
smeiter in Salt Lake valley would have
to close. every manufacturer would
have. to suspend business. to say Moth
ing of the shortage that would ensue TO
domestic supplies. Unpleasant as such
prospect might seem. 1t would be ia
evitable because under the most urgent
effort the Independent supply for long
time would at best be only nominal. 1t
requires hundreds of thousands of dol
lars and months of time to open a coal
mine in this state Even under the best
conditions, a suspension OF coal opera
great disaster for the state. The iegis-
latsre is certainly not going to consider
seriously an alternative between COM
plete industrial shutdown or the con-
fiseation of railroad property which
would present Itself if this measure
failed of approval.
On the other hand. there is a good
deal of talk about developing the Iron
county coal and iron fields Familiari-
ty with the conditions there win con-
vince any disinterested observer that
private capita. alone could not well un-
dertake to open either the coal or iron
deposits and bring them TRANSPORTATION
Such an enterprise would call for the
investment of millions before any re-
turn on the capital could be possible
Refuse to permit railroad development