The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-03-24
AS TO NEWSPAPER PASSES
Arcadia News.
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The News has been carefully noting
what our wise exchanges say IN re-
gard 10 our State Railroad Commission
We note with regret that some OF our
usually 4eveg-headed brothers are Ii
danger of being unfair towards the
three gentlemen who now compose
that Commission. We feel that as
editors we should be careful to get
all the facts before we turn our inky
batteries against any department. OF
our state government. The men I'LL
ing these positions of trust are doing
our work. 1t is their duty to regard
the law and their oath of office, and
constantly to SO administer their of
fetal functions as to serve the people
all the people-not a part
Just now our brothers of the press
are saying ugly things about the
Railroad Commission. Why? It is
the right of newspapers to get rail
road passes for newspaper space used,
or TO be used by the papers.
The Commission has ruled that rail-
roads could not give this without viO-
lattung the present statutes. 1t seems
that their special counsel, Hon. L.
c. Massey, so advised. He is a lawyer
of recognized standing and ability.
His legal attachments were recognized
by Stetson Law School, In which for
a number of years he was one of the
regular tutors. At the bar, before all
the courts, he has borne himself as
one of the strongest men in the pro-
fession. In the senate, L. C. Massey
proved to be a man who never took
a position until he had by patient in
vestigation and logical reasoning felt
that none other was tenable. It is
81
scribblers to condemn the Commission
unless they can show the ruling is
contrary to the letter and spirit OF
the law. No one in public position
wants to get the state press down Oh
him. It is not human nature-and
human nature is the same in Railroad
Commissioners as in other people We
would like pass. 1t would be mighty
handy at times And to go to the
press association with the queen-our
uueen--on a pass would be fine. II
does look like we ought to be allowed
to sell our space for transportation.
Still, there IS another side. Rail
roads are semi-publfc institutions.
Their very privilege, or charter, or
franchise is "a gift of the people
through the legislature. Although in
dividuals put UP the money and the
TdiEObuf5 is WIClI properly, II IS IlCI
like other property. The state has
the right to regulate its use. All state
regulation of public service corpora
tons is An exercise of the sovereign
right Of the people to control and reg
ulate the use of such Institutions.
Railroads are common public carriers
for all the people. The matter Of
passes has been abused. The power
of public service corporations to DOM
mate legislation :. and control party
conventions became so notorious that
the people have tried to regulate OF
minimize the evils of the practice.
Hence we have statutes against the
practice, and the Railroad Commits
sion was created to prevent special
favors to special classes. both as to
passengers and freight. Of course, we
know that the custom OF granting
transportation to newspapers for space
Is not the same as free passes. But
has not the thing been over-worked?
Why should editors and their wives,
daughters and sweethearts be allowed
special privileges2 We know we work
for the railroads, but is our work al
WAYS worth what we get2
At any rate, let us be fair with the
Commission. Be careful how you
charge honorable men with being
fools" "simpletons," and what-not.
Brother Appleyard, Brother Russell
and Brother Farmer threaten to de-
feat the whole cowd. Take care.
Some of YOU gentlemen may be mem
hers of the Commission some day
Then you will catch it for doing what
your legal counsellor advised was &C
cording to the law