The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-15
ROADS NOT EQUAL
TO PRESENT NEEDS
Vast Extensions Necessary if the
Business Of the Country Is
Well Handled.
MEN NOT WILLING TO BUILD
Popular Sentiment Against Pub
r.,
MEN NOT WILLING TO BUILD
Popular Sentiment Against Pub
lie Service Corporations De-
clared to Be Responsible.

ST. PAUL. MINI, January 14.-Johr
A. Johnston to-day received letter
from James j. Fill, president OF the Grea,
Northern Railroad. declaring that 1t woult
require permane nt investment OF 81, 100,
100000 year for five years to provide
the railroads with means to handle prop
erly the business already In sight, and
not allowing for future growth.
Tho letter says, In part: THE bust.
ness OF the United States is to-day SC
congested that from every portion OF the
country arises clanor for relief. The
railroads everywhere arc taxed beyond
their power. The people OF the United
States, therefore. are face to face with
the greatest business problem that has
ever threatened tho nation.
Doubled in Ten Years.
within the last ten years the volume
OF railroad business In this country has
increased over 10 per cent. Meanwhile.
the railroads have endeavored to meet
It. Railroad equipment has been In-
creased as fast as capital and labor can
do 1t. There are not cars enough to carry
moved. but engines and cars must have
tracks upon which they may run.
"A striking tale Is told by the statistics
of railroad building In the United States.
Not only Is 1t true that there has been
In the ten years ending 1908, an increase
OF but twenty-one per cent In mileage.
but the most impressive fact is that rail-
road building has within generation
fallen off Just as the demand upon track
age has increased. At this moment when
the demand Is greatest and the whole
country Is clamoring for relief. 1t is tho
smallest in years.
The best Judgment OF many conser-
vative railroad men in the country Is
that an Immediate addition of not less
than five per cent per annum to the
railroad trackage of tho country for say
five years, should be made to relieve the
situation.
What Is Needed.
Suppose that IS per cent. additional
trackage. with necessary terminals and
equipment. making 80 per cent. were 10
be built during the next five years; or
say. in round numbers, 1900 miles of
track as the requirement for the country
to meet immediate needs. No practical
man would furnish the facilities required,
including additional equipment and ter
minal facilities for less than $1,000 a
mile The new work would amount to
S. 500 co., COO in round numbers. or a yearly
average of s1,loo,o0o.0o0. That Is the sum
which should be spent before the COM
merce of the country can be moved prop
erly
1T Is not by accident that railroad
has declined to Its lowest with
in generation. at the very time when
all other forms OF activity have been
growing most rapidly. The investor de-
clines to put his money into enterprises
under ban OF unpopulayity and even
threatened by individuals and political
parties with confscation or transfer to
the State. This feeling must be re-
moved and greater confidence be mutual
" established. If an considerable portion
Of the vast sum necessary is to be availa-
BILE for the work.