The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1908-03-20

The railroads Of the country have
been In the limelight and have BEEN
the targets OF much investigation and
legislation during the past six years
IL did not come as an unexpected
moveluenL TO those who have bee 81
student OF the recent past IL las
the elimination OF criticisms aid cis-
cussions OF a number OF evil p1ac-
tees, which have been a part II The
Organization, the methods and man
agemert or at least = part OF our great
railroads. Some OF these evils nay
be briefly summarized. Managers OF
railroads organized political bureaus
and were pe~rniciously active in he
control of political parties and in the
attempt TO shape legislation. In the
strife for business supremacy upon
the part of industrial organizations,
and for traffic upon the part Of rail-
reads, rebates and other like evils,
we're practiced, although it is faiT TO
say from evidence which has been Of
ferred that this evil has not existed
with the railroads OF the South for
several years. In like dis
elimination has been practiced be-
tween cities and sections, so that ar
bitrarily one has progressed at the ex-
pense of the Their.
In their financial methods exhibited
IN the organization and consolidation
Of railroads, in issue Of bonds and
ether forms Of indebtneSs, they nave
III many instances violated the ele-
ments of corporate law, and have de-
parted from the standard OF integ-
rity fixed in the past and recognized
in the present.
Generally railroad managers forgot
that in an important sense their lines
constituted public highways, and that
they were under u obligations to
serve the public as could not be ig-
nored.-
These conditions could not be con-
tinued indefinitely with a people and
under a government such as JUS The
criticisms were at first 1%nfreQuent and
sporadic. The movement for reform
grew to such proportions as indicated
a complete awakening of public con-
science. Naturally there joined the
ranks men who sought to util1za a
popular movement which did not at
tract men of-this character. 1t can
not be questioned that this agitation
in some respects has worked an in
justice to railroad investments and
properties and may have in some iu-
stances impaired their business. But
such results, even if true, would not
be unusual. The evil practices re-
ferred to had become so deeply root
ed hat they would not yield to ordi-
~ NY fraofnoanf hut roniIiro6 tho caa1-
pei. AS you cannOt remove the can
ser without causing suffering and per-
1aps impairment of the body, sc in
this process of evolution which public
service corporations have Undergone it
is only natural that they should have
Suffered to some extent For one /
believe the agitation was necessary
n bound to nave come. | believe
that the worst is now over and that
the result will in the end prove bene-
fetal, both to the railroads and to the
public. Railroad managers will cease
political activity. Determinations,
Will not be tolerated. The integrity
which actuates the solid business man
VIII displace the practices of high fin
ance. Capital stock shall hereafter
represent actual value and bonds and
other securities will be honestly con-
ceived and legitimately foated. I hope
| and believe that from the humblest
| employe to the executive head a spirit
of service to the public will be sub
stituted for Indifference and discour-
tesy.
We have with US this evening the
president Of one OF the great trunk
lines of the South, and who, I be-
lieve, recognizes this new era of duty
and of service. In his public ad-
dresses he has advocated all these re.
forms, and I have no reason to ques-
ton his absolute sincerity. 1t is a
pleasure to note that the heads OF
another great railroad system in the
souths resides in your city. His un-
cstentatious life, and his modesty may
conceal from the world his forceful
character, his potential influence an6
his personal integrity. He is known
60 your people and I belive that he
stands for all that is upright in the
newer relationship of the railroads tt
the public.
If l We're influential with a rail
read company l would create one
A'OIO OLIICIdI. HIlu l. "Oulu place AIN
at h head Of a bureau and inform
the patrons of the railroad that they
should feel free to make all their com.
plants as to service. or otherwise, tt
his office, with the assurance that
prompt investigation would be made
and ample redress afforded when jas.
titled by facts. Such an official would
stand between the patrons and the
company. In the beginning his dutie:
would be burdensOme and demand the
highest skill and wisdom. But this
would only serve to justify a public
necessity. Absolute peace and har
mony will not prevail until that por
ton OF the public which desires K
be fair and considerate shall be fully
convinced o fthe disposition of rail
road companies to deal promptly anC
equitably with all the meritorious com
plants.
had 1oSiroI 20 snnaE IF v-afa-