The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1908-02-08
PASSENGER RATES.

The action of the Texas Rail-
road Commission in dismissinS
some days ago. its motion TO pro-
mul gate an order reducing pas
senger rates in that State from
three to two and half cents, as
signing as its reason that "the
present time is uniavorable to
lower fares in Texas is signiti-
cant and encouraging. \ more
reasonable drift Of public senti-
ment in matters affecting the COM
mon 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
Hurry and the Industrial depres-
sion that followed have naturally
hastened it. But a few months
ago commercial demands upon
freight equipment had swamped
the carriers. Empty freight cars.
everywhere requested, were not
to be had, and the car famine
was more acute than that of the
previous year. To-day thous-
ands of "empties' are standing
upon the Sidings, with the mill
lions 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 COM
mission proves that the public is
intelligent enough to recognize
this fact and reasonably enough
to see that justice be done.
The Times-Democrat through
out the period Of agitation, has
contended that passenger rates
ought to be reduced only after a
careful and thorough inquiry by
competent investigators has shown
that reductions would prove equi-
table 20 all concerned. We have
questioned the wisdomof arbitrary
laws, hastily enacted by leg
islators ill-inforrned as to the ef-
feet upon the carriers. Particular
ly is there need of caution in the
Southern States, most OF which
are so sparSely populated as to
render arbitrary reduction hazard
Gus. 1t is true that the carriers
have been guilty of grave abuses
and that their ill-chosen methods
of opposing rate reductions have
been shrewdly calculated to in
flame the public mind. But two
wrongs never make q right and
oppressive reprisals by Leglsla-
lures of public commissions have
served to increase, rather, than
minimize, the difficulties OF the
problem. 1t i we'll understood
that no State or community can
thrive without adequate railroad
facilities, and sound public
policy demands that the carriers
be encouraged in their legitimate
development and that their right
to fair return upon their invest
ment be conceded. Where re-
duction of passenger rates is
justified by business conditions
there can be no objection TO it.
enforcement. but the reductions
0uph. to be used apo. exact
mathematical calculation, never
upon sentiment or prejudice. Gov.
Hughes, Of New York. took the
correct position when he vetoed
the two-cent rate bill passed by
his own Legislature on the ground
that the question had not been
carefully considered and that
! careful and competent lnvestlga-
| tion Of the rate question must be
made before such a rate could
Justly be enforced. If this pro-
nouncement be applauded in New
York, a State in which passenger
| traffic is enormous, no" much
! stronger is its claim to considera-
ton in the Southern States, SO
thinly settled that the earnings
from passenger traffic must OF
necessity be much smaller.
The growing popular demand
for more reasonable rate regua-
tions, and for enactments that
shall be fair alike to the public
and the carriers, points the way
to better understanding between
the clashing interests and to q
satisfactory adjustment of the
differences existing; consum'
nation devoutiy To be wished
Times-Democrat