New-York tribune., 1907-06-16
A RAILROAD FIGHT.
Can 1t BE Compelled to Protect
Passengers?
By Bowdre Phinizy.

There are many phases to the so-caed railroad
problem. The that interests most people. the
one that comes closest to every individual IN the
United States, the that Is looming larger and
getting each year, is the problem of safety
and service that the railroads are chartered to
render. The figures appalling:
In 1925 the railroads carried 2l3e51 passengers be-
fore they injured one
In 1903 the railroads could carry only S+,424 pas
sengers before they injured
In 1901 the railroads could carry only 7S.523 pas
sengers before they injured one.
In 1865 the railroads could carry only 7O656 pas
sengers before they had injure some one
This is bringing the question home in a way that
is getting mighty uncomfortable And the people
in many OF the states just now busying their
heads trying to get at the of the trouble and
compel remedy. The state of Georgia and its
Railroad Commission face to face with the
problem in petition filed with them 10 compel
service with safety OF the most important
lines of railway in the state, viz. the Georgia
Railroad. What makes the more interesting
is that this line of railway is owned by citizens Il
Georgia. pays II per cent upon its stock. but is
leased and operated by the Louisville & Nashville
and Atlantic Coast Line railway systems
The state of Georgia thus presents TO the world
unique railroad problem when the whole world
is interested in the railroad situation The Oldest
and up TO ten years ago the best railroad in
Georgia the main line of the Georgia Railroad
that runs from Atlanta to Augusta, with branches
touching Macon. Athens Washington, Monroe and
White Plains. Its stock sells for something Ike
$40 a share and II pays Il per cent dividends
Mrs. Hetty Green is the largest individual stock
holder. while the Phinizy family Of Georgia has
furnished the road two presidents and the fam
lis holdings Of this name IN the road are possibly
larger than those of any other interest Its stock
holders scattered all Georgia and its
board Of directors among the ablest and most
prominent citizens of the state Up to very re-
date the service of this road has been the
most satisfactory In the South. But In the two
or three years with its earnings mounting higher
treated TO the fact that this railroad longer
keep its trains the track on time An nves-
tgation begun by me before the Railroad Commits
sion Of the state clearly reveals the reason.
The Georgia Railroad. which in 1895 spent Is per
cent Of its gross earnings in maintenance OF ways
and structures. decreased it TO 1873 per 1863
1913 per cent in 1904 and liz per cent in 1906 In
other words. this railroad has starved track
roadbed of ties. rail, ballast bridge and
ton work IN order to up net earnings TO some
thing like 100000 a year. In doing this they
have marked nearly every mile of track with
recent wreck. until travel the Georgia Rail
road is neither safe expeditions required by
law The matter Is now before the Railroad Com
mission of the state in the form of a simple ques-
tion not the usual complaint that railroad rates
high and asking for a reduction. not charging
discrimination on the part of the carrier. not a
complaint against the railroad because It is MAX
ing a great deal of money. but the more important
question OF how much money must a railroad put
back in the peoples service and safety In the
nature things a railroad can't take II all. hut
in the case of the Georgia Railroad it is taking
very nearly all Of il, and as a result the public
safety and the public service suffering.
To put the question another way What can "A
state do TO p railroad whose clear duty IT
IS to renew l70025 crosstlos each year. and which
last year renewed only 5000? The Supreme