The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-03
INSIGHT NEEDED

Going to the very heart OF the American rail-
road situation and chewing almost every sup
port from under the maguates who put up a
poor mouth before the Interstate Corporation
Commission, in their petition for an increase of
freight and passenger rates, Attorney Louis
Hrandeis' reply to them cannot fail to provoke
the admiration of all travellers and shippers or
to impress the Commission
The magnates have had their inning. Plain
tive indeed their plea for boosting the tar
IFS The increasing cost OF living and conse
cuent increase in the wages OF employees was
the cause, they said Atded TO this. so much
sentiment had been fomented against the rail
roads that investors declined to purchase the
companies stock The railroads we're to be pit
led not censured.
Comes now Mr.. Brandes with the initial
statement that the burden Of proof that an in
crease in the tariffs is necessary to keep the
railroads from insolvency rests upon the mag
mates, and their hacks have been broken under
the burden.
Higher efficiency. greater regard for public
Interests and needs. and less thought OF large
dividends is suggested by the shippers counsel
as a partial remedy of the Ills of which they com
plain. and the only cure for which they bsfteve
to be heavier levy on users of their roads, MIR.
Brandeis makes the bold statement that at least
s1.000,0o0 day could be saved by the railroads
by the adoption and pursuit OF scientific buai,
ness methods. In this he is probably correct,
for there are numerous sources of waste in rail-
road organizations and will likely continue as
long as Jones pays the freight
Answering the petition OF the railroads direct
IT, Mr.. Brandeis puts forth three statements
truth Of which even railroad magnate must
admit
His principal reasons for opposing the much
prayed-for increases are
"Frst-Some railroads, at least do not
need additional incomes.
"Second-ln some railroads any exist
Ing need OF additional income is due 10
causes other than wage increases and
acts OF Congress,
Third-Every railroad which Ia prop
ery undertaken and financed can meet
any existing needs without rate in
creases through the introduction Of sci
entifc management"
The gist OF MIR Brandeis' brief is that instead
of proceeding with the theory that the tenden
cy OF rates will be TO continue upward" as Pres
ident Willard of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road put II. the magnates should adopt lower
rates as their slogan, and increase the efhcien
cy OF their roads thereby adding to their busi
ness and getting as much money. IL not more
] than they would with the proposed higher rates
and making conditions such that the shippers
4 would cooperate instead of fight the various
roads.
The hardships which the magnates say their
roads are forced to endure would not be d
candie-lght TO those imposed upon the shippers
OF the country by the increase In rates, accord
ing to Mr., Brandeis belief When the shippers
counsel charges that responsibility for lack OF
faith in the railroads is due in large part to
'distrust OF the purpose of those who control
and manage the railroad properties" he has laid
the blame pretty nearly where IL belongs Let
him who is responsible for the hardships bear
them.