The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1908-03-06
PASSENGER RATES
ARE DISCUSSED
Some Of the Cogent Points in
Adjusting this Important
Question.

The action OF the Texas Kali
road Commission in dismissing,
some days ago, its motion to pro-
mulgate an order reducing pas
seneer rates in that State from
three to two and half cents,
assigning as its reason that ''the
present time is unfavorable to
lower fares in Texas" is signifi-
cant and encouraging. A more
reasonable drift of public senti-
ment in matters affecting the
common carriers is indicated, not
alone in Texas, but in modified
degree in other Southern States
which have been experimenting
with reduced rates. The reaction
was inevitable, but the recent
furry and the industrial depres-
sion that followed Lave naturally
FASTENED it. But few months
ago commercial demands upon
freight equipment had swamped
the carriers. Empty freight cars,
everywhere requisltioned, were
not to be had, and the car famine
was more acute than that of the
previous year. Today thousands
of ''empties' are standing upon
the sidings, with the millions of
money invested In them earning
practically no return. Obviously
the time is ill-chosen for reduction
of railroad rates, and the action
of the Texas commission proves
that the public is intelligent
enough to recognize this fact and
reasonable enough to see that
justice be done.
The Times Democrat, through
ont the period of agitation, has
contended that Messenger rates
ought to be reduced only after .
careful and thorough inquiry BY
competent investigators has shown
that reductions would prove
equitable to all concerned. We
have questioned the wisdom of
arbitrary laws, hastily enacted by
legislators ill-informed as to the
effect upon the carriers. Par
ticularly is there need of caution
in the Southern States, most of
which are so sparsely populated
- 10 render arbitrary reductions
hasardous. It is true that the
rarriers have been guilty of grave
abuses and their iIl-caosen meth
DDS Of opposing rate reductions
have shrewdly calculated to in
Aane the public mind. But two
wrongs never make right and
pppressive reprisals by Legislat-
ptss or public commissions have
served to increase, rather than to
minimize, the difficulties of the
tfoblsm. It is we'll understood
that no State or community can
thrive without adequate railroad
facilities, and sound public
policy demands that the carriers
bessacouraged in their legitimate
development and that their right
20 : fair return upon their invest
mont be conceded. Where reduc-
ton of passenger rates is justified
b. business conditions there can
- 70 objection 10 It's enforce
n,ont. but the reductions ought to
- band upon exact mathematical
oolculAtioas sever upon sentiment
e prejudice. Gov. Hughes of
New York took the correct posi-
(fon when he vetoed the two-cent
seea bill passed BY his own Legis-
1kn1e. on the ground that the
ofestion had not been carefully
consideresl and that. careful and
eompetent investigation of the
udks question must be made before
sch Z rate could justly be en-
l6rced. II this announcement
- applaaded in New York. 81
0Ate il which passenger traffic is
o1ormsds. hov much stronger Is
- claim 10 confederation In the
6puthsse Btates. 50 'thiAly settled
(LaE the earnings from passenger
Mafic must Of necessity be much