The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1909-02-14
STATEMEN! FROM
GOVERNOR SMITH
NET EARNINGS OF THE STATES
FOUR BIG LINES SHOW
AN INCREASE.
Some interesting Facts ana Figures
Taken Fro mthe Reports Fhed
With the Georgia Fail
road Commission.



Smith today gave to the press an m
portant statement in regard to the
net earnings of the railroads OF Geor-
gia for the year covered by the panic.
The figures are taken from official
reports to the railroad commission,
and show that the net earnings OF
four OF the big lines actually increas-
ed, while the falling off Of net earn
ings OF eight of the principal system.
in Georgia was but one and one-hali
per cent against loss of fifteen per
cent. by the roads of the country as .
whole
The Governors Statement.
The governors statement follows:
Much has been said during the past
twelve months to create the impress
sion that the railroads Of the state
have been crippled by what Is termed
reform policies.
quite recently certain railroad i'm
provements have been promised pro-
vided Georgia is real good and repeals
some of its anti corporation acts
Il believe that the legislation and
administration in Georgia affecting the
railroads and public service compan-
les has been of great value and that
a reaetionary policy would be pub
lie calamity. FOR this reason ] wish
to call attention briefly to what has
taken place ard to the financial show
ings of the principal Georgia railroads
during the year ending July list, 1908.
Transportation companies and 9th
er public service companies are given
special powers by the state, and are
to large extent necessarily monopo-
lies The courts of America and Eng
land agree that the state and nation
owe to the public the duty OF requiring
such companies to give proper serF-
ice at reasonable rates To insist up
on the performance ly state and ma
ton of this duty is not hostility to
railroad companies It is simply a
demand for justice to both the com
panies and the public.
The legislation passed in Georgia
provides for railroad commission
WITH enlarged powers to do no wrong
to the companies, but to see that to
cir customers are accorded legiti-
mate rights.
Cannot Name Hostile Laws.
IT is noticeable that the critics DO
not dare name the legislation which
they say should be repealed The leg
islation and administration in Geor-
gia on this subject may be compared
to that Of New York state without
fear that our state will lose by the
comparison.
The administration has required
better roau0eds and better service. 1t
has prevented the suspension of train
service necessary for public conven-
ieaca. It has required the settlement
of claims due to shippers 1t has re-
quired service for factories and local
plants
1T has prevented the wages Of
employees from being arbitrarily cut
1T has stopped the free pass evil,
and has reduced the cost of travel to
those who pay.
The public service corporations
have been compelled 10 pay more
nearly their just taxes.
This is the record. From what
art of it shall the state recede?
But have the railroads been Grip
pled. or has the outcry been rather
cne without reason unless for poiit-
cal effec,
The railroad companies are re-
ouired to file with the railroad com
mission statements showing the busi-
ness which lney do annually. These
reports cover the business of each fis-
cal year running from July lst to
July list.
a Remarkable Showing
4The reports of the nine largest
railroads with the exception Of the
Seaboard are now in the hands Of the
railroad commission. The figures which
/ shall use are from these reports.
Eight railroad companies in Geor-
eia from July 1st. 1907, to July lat,
1893. made net rr2a.s as fol'o#
Central CT Georgia ......s2 '4se'4z9. : z z
Western & Atlantic .s. eS9 zto. :
ctac@ -=i'rcaa .... i92.6l 80
.ou SsshEiite i73'o92'.'9
Atlantic Coast Line ...... 1,2lt.'4o.of
Atlanta & West Point .,. 259,5s3-s9
Southern Railway 1880. l,l4lss35'ot