Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-09-24
WILLARD TALKS
RAILROAD MATTERS
President Of B. & 0. Discusses
Attitude of the Public.
WRITES LETTER TO EDITOR

islation Hampers His Road As 1t
Does All Others And In That Way
Injuries Business Aong All Lines.
Baltimore. Md, Sept 21.--ln a
communication written some weeks
ago TO the editor of the Hampshire
Review. a publication OF Romney, w.
Va. President Daniel Willard, of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, presents
the side Of the railroads as regarding
lpresent-day problems confronting
them in a manner which is bound 10
attract the attention of railroad Off
Gals the country over.
The communication was the result
of an article which appeared n the
West Virginia publication some time
previous, dealing with railroad mat
tors, and in his letter the chief execu-
/ tive of the Baltimore and Ohio en-
deavors, in the best possible way, TO
lake the railroads side of the case.
President Willard approaches the sub
ject as a railroad official, yet, at the
same time. he is just enough to recog-
nize that the public has rights which
must be considered when the policies
of the roads are being shaped.
Mr.. Willard admits that it has been
clearly demonstrated hat the people.
through their proper representatives,
have the right to supervise and to a
degree TO control many of the opera
tons of the railroads. and that on the
whole no great damage has been
done the railroads because of the ex-
ercise of such control
1T would, therefore, seem 10 be the
part of wisdom declared the Balti-
more and Ohio president in his let
ter, for railroad managers to adjust
themselves TO the changed condition
of affairs. and seek, as they properly
should, to so operate the properties
under their charges 10 bring about a
safe and satisfactory return to the
holders of their securities, at the
same time having in mind the obliga-
ton that also rests upon the roads to
give fair and reasonable service to all.
IF the railroads are willing to &C.
cept that position-and l believe they
are-then the public, in my opinion,
should be equally fair in its attitude
toward the railroads and be willing TO
grant them fair and reasonable re-
turn for fair and reasonable services
performed"
President Willard then refers TO the
agitation for greater control over rail
road operations, which was aroused
some p years ago. and which ended
in the passages OF the Interstate Com
merce law. He also mentions the re-
cent legislation broadening the powers
of the commission, in the matter of
superv sing the question of rates, etc.
/. Increased Expenses.
within the last three months said
Mr.. Willard, "all the railroads east of
/ Chicago have increased the wages of
their employees from per cent. up
ward. The item alone means an in
crease in the cost of operation of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad of about
$4,000, 900 per year.
Nov, with all this in mind, do you
| tHilh lut DtOpits WItH SdCIIHCt "
their interests, might agree to a rea-
sonable advance in the freigh. rates,
and then to a cessation of legislation
: on railroad matters for a period and
give the railroad managers a chance
to see what they can do towa'1 pro-
vid ng the additional facilities which
they require? Until we have def
mite railroad policy, and them stop
changing it, | doubt very much if we
will see condition of active expedi-
ture on the part OF the railroads.
Depressing Effect.
Speaking for myself, ! am quite
sure ! should be reluctant to recon-
mend any large undertaking until |
feel more certain than | now feel as
TO what the future has in store. If
additional legislation concerning the
railroads is really necessary, then I
certainly hope 1t will be passed, and
with as little delay as possible. so We
can know what to expect and prepare
accordingly 1t seems to me that
such condition is not necessary,
and it also seems to me that if the
people understood the matter as it
really is, they would be willing 20 say:
1--WE found 20 years ago that the
railroads We're not treating the PEG
pie fairly, we felt we had the right
to demand fair treatment and the
lpower to inforce our demands and
we caused legislation looking 10 that
end to be passed. Within the last 20
years the matters complained of have
been corrected and proper legislation
has been enacted and we feel cur in
terests are now safe. We recognize
the necessity Of efficient transporta-
ton facilities for this vast country
and we recognize also that the money