The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1913-09-12

OF this new generation are animated
for their employers desire without
having which in large measure they
would be commercial eunuchs-but
also by the desire to perform fully
and Loyalty their function as servants
of the public. They recognize the diff
ficulties in the way of performance of
their dual duty, but they accept un-
reservedly it's responsibilities.
Mr. Mellen belonged to the last
generation of the railway managers.
Able and ambitious, he proved him
self incapable of performing the func-
tons of public servant. Perhaps
his deficiency was not SO much lack
of ability to do the work of public
servant we'll as lack of ability to do
it satisfactorily. At any rate, he show
ed such lack Of capacity for adapting
himself to contemporary conditions
that it became evident to everybody
else long before it did to him that his
days as railway manager were num-
bered. His retirement will mark the
abdication of the last of the railway
czars. 1t will be of no less signifies
ance in the country as whole than in
New England, for 1t will eliminate the
last of the managers whose ability as
executives was equaled by their abil
ity to arouse antagonism almost, If
not quite, as animical to the interests
of the railways as downright ineffi-
cheney in operation"
What is the public going to do in the
face of this managerial revolution in
the railways? Does it appreciate the
change in their attitude toward it?
Will it modify the policy it has been
following with reference to railways
during recent years? If the public
attitude and policy are not to be great
ly changed, the writer assures us that
there is serious trouble ahead for the
railways and the country. He says:
ITO sum up the situation in word :
will the public call off the railway
baiters for while and give the new
generation of railway managers a
fair chance? There is no doubt that
the sentiment of the public toward the
railways has softened very much. I'm
fortunately, while the public is no
longer urging forward attacks on rail-
ways it is not requiring them to be
stopped. This is clearly shown by
the statistics regarding the number of
laws to regulate railway operation
which have been passed by the state
legislatures during the present year.
Most of these laws are harmful to the
railways and do the public no good.
The public has compelled the railway
managers largely to reform. When,
if ever, is it going to compel the law
makers and administrative public Of
ficials to reform? When is it going to
recognize the fact that by permitting
legislatures and railway commissions
to impose numerous unnecessary re-
strietions and burdens on railway
companies it is permitting them to
make it impossible for the new genera
tion of railway managers to live up to
the modern conception of the function
of the railway manager as a public
servant?
"The public is often strangely for
getful of the fact that it, as we'll as the
individuals composing it, has duties
and responsibilities. However, the
situation does not afford ground for
pessimism. Public officials always
lag somewhat behind public opinion
The change in public opinion with ref
erence to railways seems to be unmis-
taxable; and, perhaps, in due time,
the conduct of the servants of the pub
lie will catch. up with the views of the
public. Literary Digest.