The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-17
FRIDAY, MAY II. 1907.
1t is better to suffer wrong than
to do 1t. and happier to be somc-
times cheated than not to trust
DR.. Johnson.
LABOR AND THE RAILROADS.

LABOR AND THE RAILROADS.
In another column we publish
sensible letter from q Richmond cor
respondent on the railroad situation.
It Is the more Interesting because 1t
comes from the pen of prominent
representative of organized labor. The
question is one that is OF vital con-
Germ to the laboring man. The rail
roads of the United States have L.
large patrons, and in some cases eX-
elusive patrons, of various industries
which also give employment to skilled
labor. Cut down the patronage of the
railroads and many worllmen employed
in these industries will lose their job.
are dependent on the railroads, and
when transportation is impaired, all
must feel it.
Our correspondent says that tho aEi-
tation in labor organizations against
railroads is prompted for the most
part by the socialist clement, who ~
pose all vested rights in property.
We believe it. We cannot think that
intelligent workingmen are in sympathy
with this senseless crusade, and sooner
or later they will be heard from.
Demagogues who try to ride into pop
ularity on this wave Of railroad agi-
tation may yet find themselves wreck
ed in the breakers. Workingmen, like
all good citizens, are in favor Of reg
u,ating the railroads in such a way
ms to prevent rebates discrimination
and all other abuses; but they are not
willing to see them crippled. The let
ter Of our correspondent is doubtless
fair expression of the sentiment of
labor unions generally, and demagogues
will do we'll to take note of it.
But our correspondent is wrong on
one point. 1T seems to me-" says he,
that company of gentlemen have
Just as much right to build railroad
and make their own tariff Of charges,
and give the public the option of using
their road or not, as II company has
to build houses, fix the rent charge
and give the public the option of rent
ing them or not"
Railroads. occupy peculiar posi-
ton. They. are'built by permission of
the government. and they have some
rights not enjoyed by other corpora
items Under the right OF eminent
domain. as it is called, they can con-
denim land upon which to lay their
tracks. They may run through a mans
premises, whether he consents or not,
provided they pay damages. Moreover.
the railroads are natural monopolies.
In many instances citizens living along
their lines have no option. They are
compelled TO use the road, for they
have no other means of transportation
for themselves and their goods With
such powers railroads could make
their rates ruinous; they could enrich
one man and destroy another; they
could build up ono community at the
expense of another, II the law did no,
restrain them. In point OF fact, they
have abused their powers. They have
given rebates; they have Disseminated
against some communities in favor o.
others, and they have committed many
high handed acts which the public vii
not stand for. They must and Will b
regulated by law; but they must no
Handicapped and crippled as to pre-
vent them from giving good service
Nor must their earnings &c SO Unite,
by law as to make railroad invest
ments Improbable. These are purel:
practical questions which speak 70
themselves.
But there is 2 higher question In
volved. AS a people we can no NOR
AFFORD TO do injustice TO a railroa
corporation than to an individual. j
fact every unjust act done to q rail-
road corporation is an injustice TO in
dIyiduals; for the railroads are owne
by individuals. In this land Of libert
,.e can never afford to enact and en-
count we cannot afford 1T, for an &C
Of injustice always recoils on him VIII
commits It, One unjust law on on
statute books Is Ike the fly IN tn
ointment. Every unjust law create
dlsrespect for law and debases an
weakens the system.
The railroads of Virginia arc no,
taking their cause into court, and
viii soon be ascertained and declare
what their rights are. and what is the
+ ,ybnl.l n nj " IN tla public.
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COUTILYOIss ASPIRATIONS.
The report from Washington an