Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-17
Railroad Regulation.

Most railroad men have arrived at
the point where they are willing to
admit that government regulation is
not only a necessity but also not an
unmixed blessing to the roads them
selves. Few in high places among
railroad managers and owners remain
who can see nothing but evil in re-
straints placed upon them. Yet Presl-
dent Ripley of the Santa Fe in a re-
cent interview in Chicago is quoted as
follows:
The railroads of the west have but one
thing TO fear. and that is meddlesome and
malicious interference in the conduct OF
their business in legislatures and COM
missions having no interest in the prop
erty and no knowledge of railroad mat
ters; elected, not TO do Justice, hut for
the sole purpose of getting as much as
possible out OF the corporations IN in
creased service and reduced rates, l think
In at public sentiment has changed slightly
and is less tolerant Of persecution of
railroads. but there are yet some polite
ians who have not found this out.
No one of intelligence has n de-
sire to cripple the railroads in the ex-
ercise OF their legitimate functions, to
hamper their growth or to make their
operation Improbable. The railroads
represent millions upon millions of
invested capital on which their owners
are entitled to fair returns But the
confiscation of railroad investments Is
not nov and never has been demanded.
The issue has been to compel the rail-
roads to cease known abuses-exces-
slve charges, determinations, building
up a favored few at the expense of the
many, inadequate service, and reck-
less exposure of life and limb.
In the field OF national legislation
both the test OF practical operation
and the adjudication of the courts has
sustained, almost without exception.
as reasonable, the restraints placed
upon the roads and the majority OF
state lSws have also indicated them
selves. What have our law makers
done, as examples Of what Mr.. Ripley
might term meddlesome legislation?
Congress has enacted a law forcing the
roads to equip trains with air brakes
and safety couplers for the protection
| of the life and limbs of passengers and
railroad employees. It was necessary
to compel the roads by law to cease
employing boys and girls to handle
messages on which the safety of train
operation depended. 1t was necessary
by law to force the roads to cease
working employees excessive hours until
physical exhaustion not only threat
ened their health, but endangered the
lives entrusted to their care. Laws hao
to be passed to stop rebates and tc
prevent discrimination between ship
pers and localities. Laws had to be
passed to abolish the wholesale bib
cry of legislators and the subversion o.
public sentiment by means Of passes
In the field of state legislation ano
commission rulings there are othel
Just as pertinent instances. 1t required
government Interference to compel thu
roads to provide depot facilities de
msnded by common decehes, to main
tain stations where business required
1t, to furnish ears to shippers wher
needed and to respond to numerous
other reasonable demands for the &C
commodation of the public, aside iron
the matter of fixing rates.
Does Mr.. Ripley consider all thes'
laws "meddlesome and malicious in
reference or 'intolerant persecu
tion?" Does Mr.. Ripley think the pub
lie will sanction any backward stel
along these lines or regulations of tn
roads? If he does he is alone among
railroad men and doomed to disap
pointment.