The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-01-12
Passen. Employ. Other

iSVl $50. -cS S,OiO o,fJo S,lb0
1902 .345 1860 5,2T4 S,5SS
1908 s55 1906 5,S7s $50
1904 ......44l 1862 1913 1O,O4G
1905 .5S7 3,261
1906 ....41S 3,SO7
For 1906 three.fourths of the year
only is given.
There is reason to believe that the
death list Is larger even than the fig
ures above would Indicate, as 1t is
likely that many accidents are not re-
ported at all. Many deaths occur
from persons walking on the tracks of
railroads. In England, where they
have abolished grade crossings, and
have fenced their tracks, such tres.
passing is violation of law. which is
strictly enforced. Something ought to
be done in this country to reduce the
alarming fatality from this particular
cause. II the railroad tracks were
all enclosed and proper safeguards
made at crossings, and foot walks for
pedestrians placed on bridges and high
tresties, then 1t would be proper to
prohibit respassing on railroad tracks
except at crossings.
Railroad Commission.
There cannot be any doubt about
the necessity OF the creation of a
commission to supervise the opera.
ton OF railroads. This subject was
50 exhaustiveiy and so well discussed
by Governor White in his last mes
sage. and public attention has been
so much directed to the same ques-
ton since that time. by the discus.
sions growing out of legislation in
Congress, that I cannot think II nee.
essary to go into the matter with
much detail. At the outset, however,
I desire to submit that legislation upon
this subject should be efficient, and
should be accompanied by the proper
means for its enforcement. or nothing
at all should be done. The people
should not be deceived with pretence,
nor disappointed with a sham. They
are looking to you Tor a remedy for
many abuses. While the federal laws
have been greatly improved by the
enactment OF the responsibilities
law and the Strengthening OF the In
tcrstate Commerce Commission. yet
that commission has no Jurisdiction
over purely State matters. While the
new laws Of Congress may have les
sened the need of State regulation,
because 1t provides better regulation
of Interstate commerce by public car.
Tiers. yet the growth in the develop.
ment Of the State ami the consequent
ramilcations OF business. increase the
demand on the other hand. We need
a commission with ample POWER to in
NestiSate all phases of the subject,
ana all complaints of shippers ana the
pablo generally. ami clothed with
power after such investif alton and
hsar:u;; as 1t proper to he given. to
provide the remaGy, ine.udiuG the fix.
ing of maximu'a rates Railroads
sl:":ld u. given the right o: appeal TO
the courts. and of speedy hearing
on such appeal, but the decision of the
commission should stand until re-
versed by the judiciary. The com.
mission should consist of three men.
one lawyer. one a railroad man of ex-
perience. and one business man.
They should be of the best talent that
the State can engage: and TO this end
IL IS necessary TO provide proper com.
pensation. The public cannot hire
the talent that it ought to have 20
serve 1t in this capacity without pay.
ing n fair price. and unless It IS will.
ing to pay that price and secure that
talent, It is better to do nothing. Lit
tie men cannot I'LL such positions. and
big men cannot be had unless you
pay them. Not only the public inter.
est. but Justice to the railroads also
impeIatIvely demand that the per-
sonnet OF the railroad commission
should be Of the highest order There
have been many complaints against
the railroads of this State in the
last few years, and the most of these
complaints have been not of high
charges. but of discrimination; and
this discrimination has taken the form
largely of a refusal to furnish cars.
Railroads have been indicted. and
suits for damages have been brought
against them on these accounts. I'm.
fortunately. there is great deal of