Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-08-25
CAN'T
SWAP ADVERTISING
FOR FREE MILEAGE
Governor Vetoes Bill on the
Ground That 1t Would Bring
Back Evils of Old Free Pass
System

The bin permitting newspapers In Geor-
gia TO exchange advertising for railroad
mileage was vetoed by Governor Smith
Thursday morning.
Governor Smith holds that the BILL as
framed. containing no restrictions fore
ing the exchange to be made on a BUSH
ness basis Of value received would prac-
tically furnish free transportation passes
to thousands Of people. and would be a
step backward.
He says:
Senate bill No. 1S5 provides that it
shall not be unlawful for any railroad
company In this state to issue transpor-
tation over its lines In this state to the
editors OF weekly and daily newspapers
IN this state, their employees and fmme-
date members of their families in ex-
change and payment for advertising
space and for advertising matter in said
newspapers
mo restriction is placed upon the issue
OF this transportation except that 1t shah
be In exchange and payment for adver-
Using. 1t is not required that the ex-
change shall be made on the basis OF
the usual price paid for advertising.
There is<no limitation upon the amount
OF transportation that may be issued in
exchange for the most limited amount Of
advertising.
1T Is not required that the railroads
shall simply furnish mileage books in
Fe3ehange. They can furnish ANIMALS or
innamerable passes at their pleasure
provided II is done in exchange for adj
vertlsing and provided the transportation
is used only by editors. their employees
and their Immediate familiNs-
FSuGHT PASSES FOH YEARS. ~
For years we have fought the pass
- s~n
fought TO stop railroad companies and
other public service companies from
granting special privileges.
We know that when they grant spe-
cial privileges to few in return they
place extra burdens on the many
The special privileges granted are to
make allies that Will prevent that reguIa-
ton and supervision sofessentiaI to the
rights OF the balance Of the people who
deal pith-these companies. g.
Largely by the. votes of Democrats
in the national congress an anti-free
pass bin was enacted so far as inter-
state commerce was concerned.
After a discussion of this subject.
which lasted months before the people,
free passes from transportation and pub
he service companies were prohibited in
Georgia
n R1k fAarl E4a IAN sues Au &afNheFs knAn
the national law N prohibiting free fra1ls-.
portation. Orr railroad commission is
constituting the rule with reference to
intrasente transportation in harmony
with the rulings Of the interstate com
merce commission applied to interstate
transportation.
an connection with the adjustment
OF free passes in Georgia passenger
rates were reduced on the railroads of
the state. The people Of Georgia are
now saving Sin consequence OF this re-
ductfon over one million dollars each
year. We cannot afford TO take a back
ward step.
This bill IL it became a law, would
practically furnish free transportation to
thousands OF people. ~
The true doctrine is that everybody
Should pay and when the returns of the
railroads Justify it. a reduction in price
should be made to all. instead of giving
free passes to a few. -
STRUGGLE WILL CONTINUE
The people have won a temporary
victory In Georgia. but there win al
ways be struggle by the special inter-
ests for special privileges
The press of the country must be
relied upon as a great factor to protect
the rights OF the masses of the people
IL Is eeSenLal 10 Ine prevention or
special privileges that we should not at
the very outset arrange for special priv
fleges to- the press.
IF an exchange similar to this one
could be made with the press. then it
could with equal propriety be made
with those engaged in any other line OF
business. 1t could be made with tele-
graph and telephone companies. street
car companies. power companies and all
lines Of public service companies.
II would not arouse antagonism to
these companies 1 believe in their
great value to the public. butNit is alb
soiutely essential to the preservation
OF the rights OF the individual that
they should be supervised and controll-
ed. and it is also essential that their
services may be reasonably good and
their charges reasonably low to all who
do business with them.
IF they are allowed to make gifts to
a part OF the people they must place