The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-06-13
THE RAILROADS SITUATION.

The lntelligencer is in receipt OF
letter from President Willard. OF the
b. & D. r. r. Company. in which he
discusses al length the relations OF
the railroads to the general public.
In the following paragraphs. Mr.. Viii
lard says:
Il think there has been general
feeling In the past that anything
which could be taken from a railroad.
was Ike gold taken from the ground.
II was popularity believed that the rail-
road had So much money that the fund
could not be exhausted. Recent events
Rave shown that that was a mistaken
theory. The time - rapidly approach
.ng when the railroad facilities are
going to be taxed far beyond their ca
Facity. and then those who desire to
snip freight and who have been opposed
on the one hand To any increase in
freight rates, and have been Indifferent
on the other. 10 forces which have
tended largely to increase the expenses
OF the railroads. will be the first to
complain because OF the lack OF trans
portation. II can not be said. however,
that thc situation has not been pointed
out TO them.
1T t. TO he regretted that during the
last two or three years Of semi-in-
dustrial depression, the railroads were
not In position 10 80 ahead and make
the Improvements which all railroad
managers appreciate are necessary. The
fact that railroad building and inn
provement has been generally at "A
standstll during the last four or i've
years. has not been due 10 lack 81 desire
on the part OF managers to improve
their properties. but has been due to
.he fact that the railroad business ~
like any and all other business money
rust be had before ~ can prudenuy be
spent"
Nothing is more evident than that
railroads cannot furnish increased
equipment and increased service with
out having he money TO do ii with
The railroad is the servant OF the
public. and the character OF its ser
vice is a matter OF vital importance
Unquestionably the auri-railroad leg
isladon OF the past eight or ten years
in the United States. much OF which
vas needed. has had the effect oil
keeping some men OF means from in
vesing in railroad securities. While
the credit OF most American railroads
is still high. they find II more and
more difHcuit every year to raise new
capital. Il ought not TO be the intent
and the Intelligencer does not believ,
that Il has been the intent. OF AM
legislation 10 cripple or harrass n,
railroads unnecessarily. Through IN,
increase in powers granted TO the In
ter-S,ate Commerce Commission an,
the effective use Of these powers. IN,
public has practically established iu
control over all questions OF rate reg
ulation and transportation. This Is
long step forward. a step towards
proper and just condition Of AFFAIRS
Now the increased demands OF bust
ness require further railroad develop
ment, but In the desire 10 regulau
rates, the public should be careful no
20 70 10 the extreme that will un
necessarily injure business Durinl
rho great Industrial activities On 100
and 1907 the railroads o. the Unite.
states were taxed 10 their utmost
They have been able 10 make onr
moderate improvements and ex.er
sions since then. and another pe-io
OF Intense Industrial activity Is UkoI
20 find them unprepared for tho b.
business which The country will 0Tei