The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-01-09
RAILROAD PROBLEM
HOKE SMITH DISCUSSES PHASES OF
 QUESTION.
People VIII Never Get Rights From Corporations, He Says, Unless Government Uses Force to
 Compel Them.

Atlanta, Ga, Jan. S.-The annual dinner of the Atlanta Freight Bureau tonight, Governor Hoke Smith spoke at some length on the railroad problem. He said in part:
 'The duties of railroad company are dual; first to the public. and sec ond, to its stockholders. The officers who manage the railroad property are selected by the stockholders and have In view primarily, the payment of large dividends The public must look to the State and to the nation to protect their rights. The people generally are appalled, at the present railroad situa- tion.
 Almost daily they hear of some ter rible catastrophe due to railroad wreck. Trains are delayed until twen- ty-four hours late Is not an unheard of situation. Men engaged in chipping understand how difficult 1t is to obtaIn cars and how paralyzing Is the delay in transportation even after 6oods are shipped. They also understand that excessive and discriminatory charges are made by the railroads for carrying freight.
 Tt Is useless to present the excuse that these troubles are caused by ex- cessive business. The wreck have been largely the result of employing inexperienced, unpaid men and then of overworking them. The increase in business has not been a sudden in- crease. It has been gradual Ind the volume of such business long ago de- manded equipments in excess of those provided. The delay in shipments has been due largely to indifference to the rights of the public.
 "The lack of sufficient ~quipment Is no sufficient excuse. Railroads have had ample money with which to meet their obligations to the public. A proper use of their immense incomes would have enabled them eAs!ly to meet public demands. These roads have is- sued enormous quantities of watered stocks and bonds. They are straining their properties to pay dividends on this excessive stock and bond issues For this purpose the public Is charged unreasonable rStes.
 This Is no party question. I long to see the leaders of both parties rep resent the rights of the people. I give credit, with pleasure, to President Roosevelt for what he has done, and although I am Democrat I hope that the progressive element of the Repub- lican party the element disposed to protect popular rights. led by Presi- dent Roosevelt will prevent the tools of corporations and the reactionary ele- ment of the Republican party, from coming again Into control of that party"
 MT. Smith declared that a proper |. service at just rates will never be se- cured until the national government and the States acting in response to popular demand, force them from the railroads. The use of corporation money at the polls, the use of ire. passes and the influence of the railroads exerted through political agents, he as- serted. are the three great influences that at present make the problem difi- cult of solution. With these abolished, he said, surprising rapidity would be seen in securing to the people proper and reasonable service from railroad corporations. both in State and inter state commerce.