Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-08-09
Continued Prom Page IL

due proportion Of the profits Of indus
try. 10 the direct impoverishment OF the
whole people. but cripple and destroy
our industries and drive our citizens
from home. and so not only take out too
large a share OF the current of our
common wealth. but divert IL up stream
and never let ii set 20 US at all
EFFORTS TO CORRECT THE.
EVILS.
The problem OF correcting these evils
has engaged the attention OF our states
men for more than third OF century.
The plan adopted IN 1873 was by regu-
lating the charges through a commits
sion armed with the authority OF law
which properly belongs TO the legisIa-
ture. but which in the nature OF things
the legislature is too cumbersome a
body % exercise. In 1907 We endeavor-
ed to carry the experiment OF the regu-
iation further. and greatly enlarged the
powers and duties OF the state commits
sion. Concurrently the federal govern
ment enlarged the powers also OF the
national boards have been OF great ser
interstate commerce over which our
state board can not exercise any author
ity
that both experiments have proven the
entire inadequacy OF the system for
meeting the evil Both the state and
national boards have been or great ser
vice and viii always be valuable agen-
cies for the correction and regulation
OF many minor evils in the transporta-
ton problem In an effective and com
plete remedy for either the excessive
or discriminating feature OF rates, 1
- -.
Hall or Mr.. Slaton before the voters up
on the proposition that legal reguIa-
ton never can cure the evil or even
substantially mitigate II: and II they
deny the existence OF this evil of ex-
tortionate. oppressive. unjust arbitrary
and indefensibIe charge by the railroads
amounting to public plumber, 1 will
meet them on that issue.
TRUE REMEDY IN EXTENSION OF
". & A RAILROAD.
have urged for many years that the
only rational and effective remedy for
this evil is TO extend the Western and
Atlantic railroad TO the sea. and I now
declare before the people that this should
be done 1t can be done without taxation.
The revenues to which we are entitled
from Il now, even under the terms of
the present lease, over and above what
we are getting, are sufficient to carry
the interest on the cost OF its extension.
I have only time 10 illustrate by one
fact
The Louisville and Nashville railroad
uses 50 miles OF IL now as a railroad
from Gainesville to Atlanta without
paving the state a penny for the use.
which Is equivalent, so far as the state
Is concerned, to a railroad worth not
less than S. ooo.oo0 furnished them free OF
charge BY the people Of Georgia and on
which they don't even pay taxes. The in
come value OF this use to the state IS
equal 20 $4,000 a year. and this would
carry q debt OF ss.ooo.0oo at the rate the
states credit would secure for Il.
This is only one OF many potential
elements OF value we are losing BY neg
lect OF this great property. and It is a
TACT not irrelevant 70 this matter that
the lease contract forbids the lessee to
sublet the whole or any mart OF the
read without the states consent. Mr.. SIa-
{ who tells me IN a letter declining TO
debate public Issues with me, that he has
been running for governor i've months
and who has never yet plainly stated his
views 20 the public on any question, has
recently put forward a vague and. I
think. meaningless statement not signed
by him. as TO HIS opinions about this
property I should have been glad TO dis
cuss II with him before the voters where
each OF us could check up any reckless
statement BY the other.
The fact stated in regard TO the L
& n user Is but one OF a large number
OF very interesting facts OF a similar
character.
ROAD SHOULD NOT BE SOLD.
NO new lease OF this great property
should be made for at least i've years to
come. IL then. II never should be sold
IL we use il properly. Il would not even
be necessary for the state to operate cars
on Il In order, through IL. to compel a
sweeping reduction OF rats to every
town in Georgia. whether on or of the
line. and at the same time derive from
Il more revenue than We get now.
The vast importance OF this property
20 Georgia IS greatly enhanced by the
prospect OF an early completion OF the
Panama canal The Georgia ports ought
10 be the points Of exit and entrance
FOR at least half the commerce OF the
union with South America and the West
indies and for the canal traffic Under
present conditions II IS impossible for this
result TO follow. and the reason is plain
All our trunk lines OF rail are owned or
controlled By the northern railroads and