The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-13

ply doing what il should have been required to
/ do, and what all railroads should be compelled
to do, take up passengers wherever they appear
ed aleas Abe ,aisn,
Under the terms of an archaic charter, grant
ed in 1884 to a company wishing 10 operate a
stage coach line, tho Richmond, Fredericksburg
and Potomac Railroad has steadily built itself
up ami to-day Is one of the most important rail
roads in the eastern part of this country 1t Is
net Stage coach line now, has not been for
many years and should not be treated as one,
While it may be- hardensome for the company
10 stop its trains at small stations, economists
have figured IL ont that each resident of coun-
- ivtug on . railroad Is worth at leas; $500 10
the railroad. because OF the passenger fares he
and has relatives pay and The freight sent TO and
from his place Of residence. IL IS small favor
AZ most for railroad to stop at little station,
The decision seems to have been expected by
ali save officials Of the Richmond. Fredericks-
burg and Potomac Railroad. who cannot be said
10 have manifested the proper attitude with IT.
gard TO taxation or recognizing the company
to put il GA dn equality with the other
railroads in the State. At several sessions OF
tAe Legislature advances have been made to the
officials Of the read to surrender the ante-bellum
charter under which it operated and take an up
to-dste enc. 4 bill was introduced in the state
Senate last winter providing that the railroad
be compelled TO stop anywhere along the line.
regardless OF whether not station Was
there, to take on and put down passengers The
idea OF the patrons of that bill was TO hold the
railroad 20 the letter Of the ancient and musty
charter well as to the spirit The officials
then came forward and announced their willing
ness 10 talk the matter Of taking an upto-date
charter with the Governor, president of the
Senate. Senator Echo!s serving because Lieu
tenantGoyernor Ellyson is a director Of the
road and the Speaker OF the House Of Delegates
Fer some time there were bright prospects of the
new charter being taken out. After the bill in
PRODUCED to enforce rigid compliance with the
old charter had been shelved talk OF an agree
ment over the new ended. and the Legisla-
ture adjourned with nothing accomplished with
regard to the railroad
The long-awaited decision of the Supreme Court
puts tho Richmond, Fredericksburg and Poto-
mac Railroad on tho same footing as the several
ion and pay heavy taxes, one per cent, of their
gross receipts, as a franchise levy to the State,
and property assessments in the counties and
cities through which they run or in which they
have their home Offices, This is as 1t should be
The injustice to tho other roads is of sufficient
long standing By amending and charging its
charter powers the Richmond. Fredericksburg
and Potomac Railroad has gotten on a CONNER,
clad plane with all the other systems in the
! State, and there seems no reason why it should
not take rank with them in the matter Of help
| Ing to support the government from which it de
rtyes the privileges and benefits upon which il
has based its long resistance against the pay
meut Of taxes.