Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1911-06-15
WHOM THE DAMAGE
SUITS HELP AND HURT

profitable to attorneys, mas Ill some
communities deteriorated into an or
ganized raid Machines for the pur-
pose are built up in some instances,
consisting of leggers or ambulance
chasers," detectives to ferret or in
vent evidence, and jury spoilers or fin
ers. Back of it all are shrewd, keen
legal sharks in their dens, pulling all
the strings and financing the raid, for
the lions share of the pelf. The hap
less victim, or heirs of the same, for
whom the law was made, gets but a
small part of the booty.
The Caller would not cast asDersions
upon its reputable lawyer friends; nor
upon all those who engage in legti-
mate damage suits 1t knows many of
them to be clean and honorable men,
However, there are enough others en-
gagged in reprehensible practices to
disgrace their profession. SO vast
are their operations that the results
are proving a serious economic factor
in the railroad situation in this state
During the fiscal year ending June
80, 1910, payments for personal in
juries by Texas roads aggregated
$2,360, 29229, being an increase of
$170,106.14 over personal injury pay
ments for the previous year, when a
total of $2,190,1S6.75 was paid out by
the roads of this State on this score.
Computed by operated mileage, for
the year ending June 30, 1909, the
roads of Texas paid out $156.S6 for
every mile of road operated. while
during the year ending June 80. 1910,
covered by the last report-the
amount paid for personal injuries
averaged $164.G0 per mile. an increase
of 1914 per mile.
The commission report also shows
that during the year ending June 30,
1909, there were pa persons killed by
Texas roads. and 1916 injured, while
during the year covered by the last
Representing June 80, 191O-there
were 206 killed and 4435 injured, a
decrease of is killed and 81 injured
in one year, Notwithstanding greater
amount was paid in settlement for
deaths and injuries.
For the year ending June 80, 1909,
personal injury payments aggregated
PAP per cent of the gross receipts Of
Texas roads. For the year ending
June 80. 1910. personal injury pay
ments aggregated 2.49 per cent of
gross receipts.
Further analyzed it is found there
was a decrease of 11.69 per cent in
deaths and 1.79 per cent in injuries,
with an increase of 7.76 per cent in
amounts paid out in settlement for in
iuries and deaths for the year 1910
as compared with 1909
The Caller holds no brief to defend
the railroads 1t views with satisfac-
ton the wise legislation of the State
and Federal governments to regulate
them and prevent corporate injustice
to the people Texas not only limits
stock and bond issues, but fixes freight
and passenger rates and conditions Of
service,
Despite this fact it is still the prac-
tioe of a cheap John class of dema-
gogues to berate the railroads and all
other capitalized industry.
Prejudice is thus fomented among
the less informed classes. This preiu-
dice not only serves a political pur-
pose in some instances, but does dou-
bic duty in the jury box. From it
springs the morally lax and unfair
disposition of juries to stick the rail
roads" regardless of the merits of the
case.
Such jures not only permit them
selves to be influenced by dishon-
est motive, but are mistaken as to
the financial benefits to result from
this legalized but immoral, robbery.
They are in fact voting money out
of their own pockets instead of rifling
the Golfers of the carrier The cor
poration can reimburse itself in a
higher freight rate. The damage suit
judgments are an expense item taken
cognizance of by the commission in
fixing compensatory rates above all
expenses
In Texas just now, especially in our
part of Texas, the great need Of the
hour is more railroads and lower
freight rates. Every time petit jury
awards a small fortune to legal
shark on a trumped up damage suit,
the same jurors and their neighbors
in an indirect manner have to pay the
judgment out Of their own toll and
industry.