Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1907-01-31
THE RAILROADS AND NEW LEG
ISlATlON.


As was anticipated. the so-called
railroad rate bill, passed at the recent
legislative session. which goes into
effect February first next, Is attracting
q good deal OF attention, especially
from the parties most directly con-
cerned, the railroad companies. The
attitude of these latter, and the course
they have taken, indicates, on their
part, more or less agitation, apprehen-
sion, trepidation and, we regret to say,
a grain OF resentment and disposition
to pay the state back Tor enacting such
legislation.
We are not the first to note an APP
parent purpose on the part of the rail-
rJads to do certain things inimical
- the public welfare or to
the interests OF certain persons or
classes, justifying their course by the
alleged restrictions imposed upon
t II under this act, which, they say
requires them, much against their will,
TO discontinue certain favors or conces-
sions hitherto granted.
To a "man IRON the road this looks
like petulance unworthy of those con-
trolling the destinies of our great cor
porations; also it appears like an or
gInized effort to prejudice the law be-
fore the people as one entailing useless
burdens, veXatious restrictions and
unwarranted curtailment OF privileges
that must be handed on to their pa
irons, to the equal dissatisfaction OF
the latter.
A street railway magnate denounces
the act as lone of the poorest ever
made for the benefit OF the public,
evincing n concern Tor the latter quite
new to him. The company of which
he is director has cut off the re-
duced fare concession given to school
children and workingmen, alleging
that the rate law forbids discrimina-
ton. A steam company declines to
issue passes that it is bound to provide,
under legal contract entered into years
before this law was enacted, alleging
its inability to perform its obligation.
All the leading steam railroads Joined
in prayer to the board of railroad
commissioners to stretch its authority,
given by the act to modify the require
ment for the posting of rates in depots
and stations under certain conditions
so as to nullity the whole purpose OF
the reqnirement--a petition that was
Immediately turned down by board
that knows its own business. TIE
publication OF railroad timetables in
newspapers, hitherto paid tor IL regu-
lar mileage at regular advertising
rates, has been discontinued on the
ground that the interstate law forbids
it. As the anti-pass prov ision in the
Vermont law is almost identical with
that of the federal statute, the same
Interpretation would apply, of course
These and other things indicate the
sta Of mind under which the railroads
labor at present.
1t is true that the railroad interests
met with new experience al Mont.
pelier last fall. Hitherto they hat
been able to do much that they wanted
I d me, and TO prevent the doing o
much that they did not want done
by those methods OF persuasion anC
influence so well known throughout tn,
union. The result was that, i'm th,
opinion of the majority of the members
OF both houses, the legislature OF 1906
if it did its full duty, had a good dea
OF somewhat radical railroad legisla-
ton to put through. 1t did, or triet
to do, that duty. Certainly, what it die
was done without fear or favor on tn
one hand, or spite or prejadiee on tn,
other Among acts OF especial import
ance affecting railroads were those in
creasing the rate of taxation of tn,
larger companies, providing for Ia,
gradual abolition of dangerous grad,
crossings, reconstituting The board o
railroad commissioners and adding to it
powers, and the enactment OF a law /,
regulate and equalize the charges b,
railroad, exp ress, parlor and sleepin,
car companies Tor transportation an
services. All OF these bills were or
posed to greater or less degree b
| REPRESENTATIVES, of Tho railroads ~. :,