The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-01-24
Subscriptions $l.5O Per Year, in Advance.
THURSDAY, JANUARY u, 1907.
THE RAILROADS AND THE
PUBLIC.

W. W. Finley, the new president of
the Southern Railway Company, has
issued an open letter addressed To
the Public Served by the Southern
Railway Company, which, while it
Is in the nature of an excuse to the
public for the disastrous and numer-
Gus wrecks which have occurred on
that system recently. and which
have marred its otherwise splendid
service to Southern people and
Southern industries. is nevertheless
a splendid exposition of the diff
culties which have confronted the
system, and the advancement and
work accomplished in spite of them,
from the standpoint of the railroad
man. After setting out the immense
amounts of capital spent in perma-
nent improvements. amounting to
some S96,000,0O0. he points out
that the fact that the com
pany has undertaken all this
work notwithstanding the present |
high prices of labor and material is
conclusive evidence of its desire TO
serve the public almost regardless OF
its own interests. The company last
spring authorized the issue of 5000
100000 in development and general
mortgage bonds. OF this 100000
600 was sold and the proceeds are
being spent as fast as the work can
be done.
Details are given to show how ex-
penses have increased in the fare OF
the general proposition to decrease
rates.
Mr.. Finley closes with an appeal
against penalties for failure to fur
nish cars. a policy which. he SAYS, il
continued, will result in a race among
the States to determine which can
inhict the heaviest penalties and
thereby secure the better part Of the
cOmpany's facilities for their own
citizens. Such penalties. he argues.
will not build new track or supply
but does tend TO cause
discrimination between persons and
localities. He urges that with the
steady decrease in net earnings in
the face of greatly increased gross
earnings. the railroads are ham
Dered in their efforts to provide bet
-er facilities and to handle their
.raffic safely and quickly ,
The last two paragraphs OF his let
or are as follows:
The point is near where it may be
necessary for the public
o take the choice between better and
Iafer facilities, on the one hand, and D
over rates on the other. In the ma
ure OF things, it is impossible to e.
'rovide both.
"In view of the difficulty Of Injecting "
he just demands of the public for s.
anger facilities and greater safety, r
nth reduced revenues and increased oil
expenses, feel that am justified in q
aging before our patrons and the
ublic this plain statement OF condi-
IONS
President Finley voices the usual Il
ecent alarm noticed in railroad cir Tn
es. Simply because the people have
etermined to have a hand in fixing 'ol
ites does not mean that the rail no,
Dads are going to be put out Of bus vi
ess. The people know the value OF c
le railroads, and would no more No
,nsent to cOnfiscation OF their prop Ip5g
ties, even il the United States con- M,
tuition did not prohibit it, than Sol
Ie railroads themselves. There is F
middle ground between the de- alta
ands OF the railroad companies and ,be
e demands of a large number OF Nr.
ld-cat people, which will be fair to agc
9TH the railroads and the public, Pre-
I'd we have no doubt but that the larl
tie making powers will come pretty |"
ar reaching it.