Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-12
The Railroads Must Pay to End
Their MurderOus Grade
Crossings
If the Railroads Had Spent Less Money Dishonest Politics,
They Would Have More for the Requirements Of
Their Honest Business
To the Editor Of the Georgian:

rial reference the railroads of the United States
responsible the rather and incorporating att
tude of the public toward them.
As matter of fact could be said and pos
vey said along support of the position Of the
State of New Jersey protect the lives of
the citizens at the murderous railway crossings
Unquestonably railroads conduct all their bust
ness regard safety of the public and they must
take at their own expense the steps necessary INSURE
safety of the public,
Mr. Reas suggestion that the public pay making the
grade crossings just than would be suggestion
that the public pay safety couplings steel Orin
cases like the neglected York and New
Haven trackage-for tracks.
Of course the public pays for everything indirectly but
that is one reason good why it should not
again directly
If the railroads less watered stock they would
dividends pay water and would have enough
money to keep up equipment and modernze their cOnd
tons generally
If they had spent substituting Senators and brbing
bosses coruptng public service commissions and debauching
the peoples they would money spend
in conducting the legitimate functions Of their business and
maintaining satisfactory relations with the public.
OF all the brbng, bullying, corrupng and intmdating
influences States the worst have been the rail
roads and among the railroads alongside the New
York Central with its public be damned policy and the New
York and New Haven record of mOnoposc exortion
stands the Pennsylvania Railroad the convicted crony of Quay
and acknowledged accompce Of ArchbOd in political corrup
ton.
The Pennsylvania Railroad and the Standard OH Company
have made rotten borough whole State Of Pennsylvania
"a borough so State known throughout the
nation and throughout world fearful example of the
destructive evil of corrupt money in politics
But like most bulies railroads towards and after
having kicked the public down beg for mercy
when the people rising proper position of strength and
power
The railroads speak of Justice but that the thing
they They justice that they not control
Judge that they do not
Thus Mr. Rea asks that this question Of safeguarding
railroad crossings decided people and their elected
people would be unwse and unjusbu
by some appointed public commission composed of
railroad attorneys would decide everything Justly in
favor railroads and get their reward in legitimate fees
honorable retainers then thereafter.
But the people know the railroads and they know the
roads private public service commissions and the railroad
Judges and the railroad public officials and political methods
Knowing these things-and they may all be called things
the people are longer leaving their business unfahfu
agents and corrupting agencies
They taking control of affairs into their hands
They are creating the referendum part
government 4ey are passing laws anu estaDsB Justice
all the people and for any special and privileged class of the
community
There is a order things and those corporations
which attempt things likely
be subjected to but salutary discipline
An economic republic is being established An economic
arstoacy being dpOed Industry being democratized
Bastes Of privilege falling eudasm is pass
ing The seigneur industry losing some Of his divine
gns Of outrage and oppression The public will not be
damned" to-day any than would grass
the Sixteenth's
Wise corporation eaders-and Mr. Rea in character and
ability should be such one-win abandon their to
superior order and divine right viii step from their
high estate VIII minge with the citizens equal footing
and wear the tcOlor cocade Of liberty equality and fra
ternIty.