The Opelousas courier., 1908-02-08
PASSENGER RATES

&Q SOliitiiiooioii
NE days ago, its motion to pro-
Rleate an order reducing passen-
rates in that State from three
Two and a half cents, assigning
Its reason that 1.-THE present
he is unfavorable to lower fares
ETexas," is significant and en-
braging. A more reasonable
Eft of public sentiment in matters
8Faeting the common carriers
;ndicated, not alone in Texas,
b in modified degree in other
snthern States which have been
Dnsrimenting with reduced rates.
NJ reaction was inevitable, but
n recent furry and the industrial
srression that followed have nat
INV fastened it. But a few
aanihs ago commercial demands
|non freight equipment had
,srnned the carriers. Empty
Es;ghf cars, everywhere recuisi-
Eo.ad were not to be had,
81 The car famine was more acute
Ihs,, that of the previous year. To-
III thousands of "empties' are
tandinq upon the sidings, with
q millions of money invested in
Nam earning practically no return.
1bp;ously the time is ill chosen for
Iaa,,ctin of railroan rates, and the
etion of the Texas commission
amyes that the public is intelli-
l,sDt enough to recognize this fact
I'm reasonable enough to see that
Egtice be done.
The Times-D Democrat, through
H,,a the period of agitation, has
pmtended that passenger rates
Hlnght to be reduced only after a
eaeful and thorough inquiry by
mpetent investigators has
EI0Vn that reductions would prove
nitable to all concerned. We
1--we questioned the wisdom OF ar
Etrary laws, hastily enacted by
geeislators Uniformed as to the
Bfect upon the carriers. Particu-
&srlyi IS there need of caution in the
onthern States, most OF which are
n sparsely populated as to render
8rbitrary reductions hazardous.
d true that the carriers have
been guilty of grave abuses and
zhat their ill-chosen methods OF
Exposing rate reductions have
been shrewdly calculated to in
lame the public mind. But two
krongs never make a right, and
oppressive reprisals by legisla-
lures or public commissions
have served to increase, rather
han minimize, the difficulties Of
he problem. It is well understood
hat no State or community car
thrive without adequate railroad
acilities. and a sound public pol.
1cy demands that the carriers be
Encouraged in their legitimate de
aIopment and that their right t
fair return upon their invest
hent be conceded. Where reduc'
hon OF passenger rates is JUSTIFIED
by business conditions there cal
Be- no objection to it's enforcement
but the reductions ought to b.
based upon exact mathematlca
ejaculation, never upon sentl
nent or prejudice. Gov. Hughes Q
New York took the correct posi-
lion when he vetoed the two-cen
late bill passed by his own leglsla
lure on the ground that tn
question had not been CAREFUL.
onsidered and that careful AM
Sompetent investigation OF tn
ate question must be made befor'
such d rate could justly be en-
breed. II this pronouncement o
Ipplauded in New York, a Stat
n which passenger traffic IS enoI
nous, how much stronger IS It
lain to consideration in tn
outhern States, SO thinly settle
hat the earnings from passenge
raffic must of necessity be niue
mailer.
The growing popular deman
or more reasonable rate reguls
ions, and for enactments tha
hall be fair to the public and tn
BARRIERS, points the way to Del
Ter understanding betWee
The clashing interests and to q ga
aactory adjustment OF the dlffe'
noes existing; a consummatlo
1voutly to be Wished.-I1me
Democrat.
SPARE THE HICKORY Ell.