New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-20
DEFENDS RAILROADS.
TRUESDALES REPORT.
Lacbascaraa's Head Says 1ttitude
Of Pablo Is Unjust.

In his annual report 70 the stockholders Of the
Delaware. Lackawanna & Western Railroad Com
many submitted at their annual meeting Yesterday
president Truesdale uses plain and forcible Ian
suaFe ir discussing the. attitude Of the Dublic oP
state legislatures and Of Congress toward the rail-
roads. He says in part:
me present outlook for business Of a,,ar,- L,,d
continues most promising, and so far as can now
+ ohaT han tRs{ the ln96 6ageI 59r the coming
lTosDe ny 81 the year 1905 will be duplicated in 1901
ms company Is IN position 10 enjoy its fun share
~ oIntrv ana its railroads m nave , m store Tor
TIE most serious aspect Of the present situation
as SEQ from the railroad standpoint is tho mi,
.sersal and pronounced feeling Of hostiijty- Which
exists toward the railroads and those co5troIIiGp
and managing them. and the alleged attitude Of
Indifference or unooncern Of the latter as to the
character. efficiency and safety of the service rem
deTed ~ ne TallWa!s 70 the travelling and ship
.0T this feeling. On the other hand there Is little
as had universal as claimed hut that t5eye
have been eXaggorated and distorted very consid-
beng aroused and bitterness engendered which
IS likely 70 Worh great wrong and injustice 10 the
injuTe its general business interests without Sc
and practices which no doubt do exist and which
need prompt ana lnleIlgent action 10 correct
LEGISLATION by Congress snd by many Of the
states IS being actively pressed as universal
Ianaoe9 l2- al, me DELAYS; troubles losses or en-
at the door ~ the railroads and which undertakes
egement. or seeks 10 place in the hands Of gov
eminent otncials. wholly without knowledge or ex-
control over them which, If made effective and on
forced. would hamper and emharrasS the trans
poTtauon interests Of the country beyond measure
This feeling Of hostility and r1raf,5iro ,ov.sr5
the railroads has already resulted i'm laws befrg
passed which viii work much Injustice ana hard
ship some or these measures have changed tho
basis ~ KING railroad property. resulting large
Increases IN taxes levied The effect ON This COM
PAW n certain Of these measures is starf1i7r
notably IN New Jersey. The taxes Of this COM
pany for the last wear have been increa sed nv tesa
ehsnges IN me Tax laws by the sum OF S572,915.
BIS per cent The taxes levied I'm New Jersey Tor
19@ amount 70 S--7 per Of the gross earnings
over 30 Per cent IF the earnings Of the COM
pany on its entire business Of every kind through
assertion that business or enterprise Of any
kind doing business In New Jersey begins 10 nav
such a large percentage Of its gross earnings for
taxes as this company Is called Upon to pay under
Efforts are being made through appeals 10 the
10 secure more equitable treatment Of rail
way interests Of New Jersey on taxation matters
Referring 10 the recent amendment Of the Inter
state Commerce act. making II unlawful for com
mon carrier 10 transport in interstate commerce
any commodity such as coal mined or purchased by
st. or in which Il had any interest excepting such
coaI or other commodity IS for lis own use Presi-
cent TTuesdale says
The management is advised by its legal represen-
tatlyeS that this company cannot he required 10 dis
possess itself Of its coal properties by the action Of
Congress under the EuiSe Of regulating commerce
between the states especially by The terms Of
its cnarter one Of the early granted by Penn
sylvana, II has the undouhted right 70 mine. pur-
chase. transport and merchandise coal.
The stockholders elected William II Moore
member Of the board Of managers IN place Of the
late Henry Graves. Mr.. Moore is one Of the con-
trolling interests in the Rock Island company.