The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-03-18
Do the Railroads of the COuntry De-
serve this Treatment.

To the Editor of The Republican,;
Ever since the panic, and for con-
siderable period previous thereto vari-
Gus legislative bodies have seemingly
Wed with each other in the adoption
of Legislation against railroads -legisla-
ton of hostile character.
This action of state legislatures and
municipalities in different parts of the
country has had very depressing eff
feet on business, and while effecting
railroads, has in turn greatly disturbed
communities, for with lessened bust
ness by the railroads men in large num-
bers have been furloughed naturally
and merchat is in towns and cities have
also found it necessary to retrench.
In Baltimore city, where families of
railroad men occupy dwellings,, this en-
forced idleness on the part of the heads
of families has caused many to give up
their rented houses, taking portions of
dwellings, with other families, thus plac-
ing on the market numerous additional
houses for rent.
The introduction of two cent mile
bill in the Legislature of one state has
had tendency to cause the presenta-
ton of bills of similar character in adj
joining states, and this, too, without
the trainers of these measures consult
ing passenger officials of railroads to
obtain their views in advance
The railroads knowing full well that
the adoption of such legislation would
have disastrous effect upon their rev.
enues and business generally, have re-
beled, demanding hearings and stating
to legislative committees that such bills,
If passed, would have bad effect, driv-
ing them into bankruptcy and ruin.
! In some cases these exceptions to such
railroad hostility have been accepted,
but in the main the corporations have
received very little redress and have
suffered accordingly.
The Baltimore Sun in its issue of
March 10th, printed an editorial on the
subject of "Hostile Railroad Legisla-
uion a Menace to Prosperity" and
every railroad man and legislator
should have copy of the paper and
give it thoughtful perusal
The article was based on the decision
of Judge Mcpherson of the Uuited
States District Court of Iowa, declaring
the railroad legislation in Missouri,
both on freight and passengers, invalid.
The Governor and ATTORNEY General of
Missouri, it is asserted, will not accept
Judge Mcpherson S decision, but will
appeal to the higher courts. This pro-
posed action the Sun regarded as unfor-
tunate and ventures the opinion that it
would be more judicious and tend to
restore prosperity if the Missouri Off
Gals would accept Judge McPherson's
decision, and cease harrying the rail
roads with hostile legislation.
1t says that the Burlington Railroad
has issued a statement, showing that in
eleven States through which its line
passes eight hundred railroad laws
have been enacted in the past two
years, and that two hundred and seven
ty-two more bills of similar character
are now waiting action.
! The Burlington Company, its says, in
! 1907 spent sixteen million dollars in bet
terments and money spent in this way
nearly all goes for labor-labor on the
! tracks and bridges, and in the steel and
lumber mills. In the year just closed,
the Sun says, the Burlington Company
only spent one millions dollars in better
ments, showing loss of fifteen million
dollars last year to labor.
Proper legislation, it says, will be
sustained by the calm judgment of the
whole people, but the sober second
thought of the country will not sustain
a reckless crusade which ignores facts
and business conditions, and which tends
to block the road of returning prosperi-
ty. G. W. II.
Subscribe for THE REPUBLICAN,.