The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1911-04-07
roR the pvBLlc's SAKE.
Railroad Man Taxes Issue with Critic
az TO EStravauance.

a New YORK newspaper writer, com
menting In a recent article upon condi. |
tons in the railroad world, perpetrated
the following epigrams, with attending |
observations:
"Opulence begets extravaganza. Ne. |
oessity stimulates economy. American |
railroad companies have been lavish in |
their expenditures upon what might |
be called the ornamental, as witness
the erection OF veritable palaces as
stations In the larger cities. II the
public refuses to provide the money
for such projects. then there will be a
lull In improvements Of this kind until
conditions again change for the better
and conditions in young and pro
gressive country are far more likely to
recover than to retrograde."
A prominent railroad man, inter.
viewed upon this subject, said:
THE paragraph quoted above has
been given wide publicity. No doubt
there are some who, caught by its
clever verbiage and yielding willingly
TO q somewhat human tendency to
cheer when the sound OF swat is
heard-whether the blow be justified
OF not-will echo It's sentiment
But a second thought will be Of
some assistance. An analysis OF the
writer's assertions will give correct
Interpretation OF the so-called 'extrav-
asances' and lavish expenditures
which have their manifestation In the
construction OF railroad stations which
deserve to be called 'veritable pal.
aces
These palaces are public places,
built for public use and public COM
fort, A railroad station. like a post
Office, or q court house, or a city hall,
Ia one OF the most democratic institu-
tons In the country. There the folk
Of high caste or low degree meet on
common ground, enjoying the same
accommodations, sharing alike In the
conveniences that are provided, appre.
ciating alike the beauties and Injuries
that have been installed II the station
be in keeping with the times.
mo more unpopular place is mum.
bered among Americas public build.
ings than the old unsightly, dilapidat-
cd railroad station. Persons OF all
classes deprecate the continued use OF
such a building. and all classes are
just AZ earnest in their praise when a
rickety passenger depot gives way to
structure OF handsome architecture
and modern equipment.
"The public, which enjoys such a
buildings beauties and appreciates its
comforts, does not regard the expendi.
ture as an extravaganza. From the
viewpoint Of civic pride, held by those
who live in the city where the expen-
diture is made, as well as from that OF
personal comfort, held by all travellers
from all sections of the country, a
new-station project is looked upon
favorably. The critic who holds an
opposite opinion has failed to measure
public opinion.
1.-THE public will not refuse to pro
vide the money for such projects.
The public, on the contrary, wants
them. And in country like ours it is
counted wise to give the people what
they want.
Moreover, from the economic side
OF the proposition, these terminal i'm.
proyements appear in an equally IA
vorable light. for the building of fine
depot makes busy dollars OF a great
many idle dollars-sends those dollars
to De pockets of countless individuals
for Vie purchase OF brick and stone
cement and steel; for other materials
Of various kinds; for the employment
OF skilled and unskilled labor. All
classes of artisans are benefited, Jus,
as all classes OF travellers are accom-
modated. So hundred good results
come at the call Of the master builder
New railway stations, then, ever
though they be 'veritable palaces are
both popular and practical, in tina,
they meet the wishes of the masses
and promote prosperity. The position
taken by the writer Of the article quot
ed above will find no endorsement,
from those who are most interested In
such improvements-the great army
OF American business men and labor
ers, and that greater army of Amer
lean travellers who, moving about from
day to day. want and demand the con
veniences and luxuries that the mod
ern passenger station affords.
Furthermore, it should be borne II
mind that, in many instances. improve
ments Of this character are demanded
by the various railway commission
throughout the country, who are tn,
peoples representatives. Therefore. /
is unfair to criticise the railroads TO
complying with the demands of tn,
public, and endeavoring to meet thei
needs in this respect"