The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-11-13
Cause Of Scarcity Of Money.

Cause of Scarcity Of Money.
All sorts OF reasons have been assigned for
the existing scare about money, but we think
nobody has more forcibly expressed our OWL,
opinion thai did Mr.. r. NJ. Hill one day
last week. He thinks, and we thoroughly
agree with him, that the idiotic and foolish
warfare'ou railroads and other great corpo-
ratiops may have something 10 do with the
present financial trouble.
But whether 1t has or has not anything to
do. with present conditions, We hope that the
Washington government may protect the
railroads from the confiscating designs oil
little politicians who in1ame the minds OF the
people against the oountry's greatest bene.
factors. .
We think. too, that the railroads should
respect the rights and the feelings OF the pee
pie.
There is no good reason why every man
who seeks a favor, or who may claim Justice
should be made an enemy of the road.
OF course editors can do wonders at a dis-
tanee. For this. reason we would suggest
that the general officers Of the railroads print
instructions 10 petitioners, and nail them
up III every btdIlOuS WuoESiu luOoC
citizens who may desire to make their wish
es known can do SO, without giving ofense 10
anybody, and without the risk OF coming To
the conclusion that railroad officials lach
civility.
civility ia inexpensive. but the lack of
that desirable quality is costly.
The general officers, as q rule, are the most
polite men in the country. Then let them
for mulate plans Of procedure whereby the
citizen may not needlessly become an en-
envy to the road because Of lack OF clvlllty
on the part OF subordinate officers. :
Because of the citizens lack OF knowledge
that he should crawl IN his stomach 10 In
ferior officers, he generally goes to head.
qua rters: The matter is sent down the line
and somebody feels that his official dignity
has met offense. He writes q letter that
makes an enemy TO the road. That enemy
In many instances expresses itself In excess.
I've verdiets. And the assessment for tax.
alton is but another public demand for pun
ishment OF the railroads.
"a case In point. Some twenty years ago the
feeling OF the people of this town was almost
solidly against the SoutheSn. When Mr.. CID,
Brown was appointed station agent, he very
soon began 10 regain friends to the road, and
In the course oftime he Secured for the South
ern the lions share OF the. business Of this
town. Instead Of losing claims against the
road, and instead OF deferrlng settlement
until possibly suit was threatened. he. made
prompt and equitable settlements. In other
respects the people we're well treated, and
people generally respond 10 good treatment
But business between the people and the
road, was not confined TO Mr.. Brown. Other
officers have rubbed the hair the wrong way.
with the result that this State is q fsvorite
State for bringing suits against the road
And we believe 1t ls q fact that some of our
people are not opposed TO giving the citizen
all the da mage he sustains.
Not 80 long ago President Finley Of the
Southern mad some good speeches IN the
necessity Of good feeling toward the. railroads
And all that he said was true. He lacked
only one thing, and hat was. the knowledge
that he possessed In his own official station
the power to annul or disarm the whole op.
position.
1.-The, or other general officer would print
the instructions showing how a man should
willie or address hisl Petitions, the
trouble would mi II the general officer would
require the sub-oficer to be as polite as Is the
custom OF the general officer.
II Is not necessarily the refusal of a favor
that makes enemies to the road. 1t Ia more
generally the manner and the reasons as
signed. A request may be refused in such a
manner as to cause no ofense at all, while
the granting ola favor may be done so as to
excite a dIspleasure.
Mr.. Finley In one or more Of his speeches
last summer said that the cost OF running
q train was about the same whether hlled
with passengers or empty. Recognizing this
fact. 1t Ia not clear 10 as. why picnic parties
Sunday schools, or others seeking an outing
should not be accommodated.
Not 80 long ago, q Sunday school superin-
tendant at this place desired to take his
classes on an outing. The road agreed to
give some concession In rates on condition
that a number, in excess Of his ability 10 sell
was sold. The numbe OF required tickets be
ing possibly more than could be easily accom-.
modated, except by putting on an extra coach
II The condition had been thai the number Of
tickets should not exceed the capacity Of The
ordinary trains to accommodate the road
wouldhave gained to the amountoft tickets sold
n all would have been pleased. But thu
excessive e1action put a bad taste In some
bodys mouth.