The gold leaf., 1909-01-28

overcapitalization. together with the
fact that, except in rare instances,
the owners of railroads do not live
anon. AMI have little sympathy with
the p-npie they serve, are at the bot
tom of most railroad evils. Often
times II manager serving a far away
corp"rate head. not knowing how
long he will hold his position, endeav-
ors 10 niakea record by charging the
public ali he can. and by exercising a
temporary economy that leads finally
TO defective roadbed. dangerous track
and insufficient equipment, for he is
expected above all other things from
his position to make the property
earn dividends upon original and
watered stock 1t is evident that one
of the essentials OF property regula-
tion OF railroad charges is TO provide
by statute for ascertaining the value
of railroad property in order to have
basis upon which to consider rates.
The last Legislature reduced pas
senger fares The rates now in force,
which save thousands of dollars an
nually to the people from the old
rates, have been approved by the
railroads as just and reasonable. The
conditions justify us in anticipating
no agitation for any change in pas
senger fares during the term of the
incoming administration.
The determinations in freight
rates rracticed by railroads in favor
OF some and against other cities is
properly receiving much attention.
AS far as competing cities are con-
cerned, it is more important that they
have relatively just rate than that
either have absolutely just rates. All
rates may be too high, but even then,
relatively they should be equitable.
Some of our North Carolina cities
have been compelled to pay millions
OF dollars of freight over and above
what other cities have paid for the
same distance The freight on a
carload of corn from Cincinnati to
Greensboro is much more than the
freight would be should the cargo on
to Lynchburg. A car load of molas-
ses from New Orleans to Lynchburg
pays less freight than if it stops in
Charlotte. Over such determinations
in Interstate commerce the Interstate
Commerse Commission has sole juris-
diction. On the face Of the above in
stances there is injustice, and they
show that companies whose directing
heads live away from the section
served do not of their own accord al
ways deal fairly and deal out even
handed Justice to the communities
they reach, and to remedy such wrong
the people must look elsewhere than
to the managers of the railroads.
The fixing of proper rates is a great
problem. Each city is entitled to all
natural advantages, but no railroad
company should carry freight to one
city at IL loss and then. be permitted
to>Overcharge other communities to
recover the loss. Under no condition
and for no purpose, in my Judgment,
should a community be charged more
than IL Just rate for the service rem
dered it, regardless of profits orlosses
on rates to other cities
The State should do all that is
properly within her power to abolish
the discrimination against our towns
and cities and to secure for our enter
prses and business Interstate rates
as fair for our citizens as the rates
enjoyed by the citizens of other States
in their enterprises. The last Legis-
lature appropriated $4,000 to help
bear the expense OF efforts to secure
from the Interstate Commerce COM
mission correction of existing wrongs
against our people in interstate rates.
Such assistance should be continued
until all reasonable efforts have been
made to secure justice to the interests
OF the State.