The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1907-02-26

Every railroad magnate who ppear
ed before the legislative committee
declared that nobody desired reduction
of passenger rates, but that lower
freight rates and better service was
the chief demand. They are right in
saying hat better service is the chief
demand and fair freight rates that do
not discriminate are demanded. What
are they doing to meet these two de-
mands that they say are paramount?
The bill to reduce freight rates is
hung up and no railroad lawyer or
official has helped in its passage: on
the contrary, they are trying to Kill
it by picking flaws in the we'll drawn
bill SO that no freight reductions can
be had. AS to better service, what
are they doing to better the present
eXecrable service? Only on Friday
Mr.. James II. Pou, attorney of the
Atlantic Coast Line, went before the
Public Service Corporation Commit
tee and what Legislation do YOU sup
pose he proposed to give better SER
vice? The very same proposed by
Mr.. Finley, Mr.. Cannon, Judge Watts,
President Henry Page, INC the other
railroad officials, to-wit: Reduce the
penalties imposed for long delays in
delivering freight. He said that hun
dreds Of suits are being brought
against the railroads for penalties and
he made "a call for help for the rail
roads. If the railroads do not deliver
freight promptly under present penal
ties, giving adequate and too long time
to transport it, would business men
ever get their freight if no penalty was
provided?
We advise Mr. Pou to write to his
client and tell them q Very simple
and easy way to avoid paying q single
dollar of penalty under present laws.
It is: Deliver freight With fair
prOmptncss. No penalty is provided
unless there are long delays. Inc
railroads can absolutely defeat n
penalty suit by simply dom" promptly
the service for which they are given
the right of eminent domain and made
public highways. IL the Atlantic Coast
Line tells its attorney that it has not
the money to buy adequate equipment
anu IL SIiodSAA an " 49, $500
service, Mr.. Pou should advise them
to quit paying dividends on Watereo
stock and bonds representing no IN
vestment for just one year and they
can equip their system SO that no pen
atty law al have any terror for them
Only last year the Atlantic Coast Line,
after paying dividends or several hun
dred dollars of water declared an ad-
ditional dividend of twenty-five pei
cent Of accumulated earnings. IL that
extra dividend had been put in i'm
provements and double tracking. the
Atlantic Coast Line would be today
in such q position to serve its patrons
promptly that it would not need to
employ u lawyer in Raleigh to ask
the Legislature to repeal the penalty
law. The truth is that, even With pen
atty laws, it is hard to get freight If
at any reasonable time: abolish these
laws, n business men and manu-
f~acturers would have to wait indefinite
ly for the goods they need.
The railroads should help them.
selves by giving good service.
The compulsory educational bill i:
So moderate, tentative. and admirabl,
adapted q measure for ~educationa
progress that its passage would dc
more for the education OF the cllildre
than anything since the adoption of tn,
suffrage amendment.
The 'God-blcsScd Macs saved in,
day in the House and the psoplc al
o,,c, tJ,, StnfA NO., =.
action.