The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-06

serprise and retard TOO much the increase OF
wealth
The figures Of railway extension for the past
year are ominous. They mean that the building
OF new railways practically has ceased. This Is
especially bad for here In the South where
much OF our best and most hopeful territory re-
mains undeveloped and practically unproductive
for lack of communication with the world. Many
o. us can remember when the railway corpora
lions were supreme In the country, practically
controlled all our affairs and knew no law but
their own wills and what they supposed to be
their interests They used their power to their
own injury and that of the public. Now there is
need for care that their welfare shall not be dis
regarded. The ideal condition Is that in which
the railways and the public shall work together
for their mutual advancement Prosperous and
well managed railways necessities 1t Is
necessary also that those who have money to
invest be offered such hope OF reasonable profit
will encourage them to build railway prop
erty and improve that already existing 1t is
well for political leaders to consider very de-
liberately and courageously whether we
permitting this hope. We should disregard the
sensationalism of writers for yellow newspapers
and of roaring demagogues who have sub
stantial interests at stake and have no thought
beyond the rhetoric or the Job of the moment.
1t Is fact that people who have money will
not build railways unless they see prospects
Of pront and that railways cannot give good Ser
vice unless they are permitted to earn reasonable
returns on the money invested in them. We
cannot by any law any other means force
people TO invest or to do business at loss to
themselves Remembering this-and some of us
seem to be disposed to forget or ignore tive
should consider whether the railways are being
starved or dealt with too harshly. Putting aside
all considerations of justice common sense tells
us we cannot afford to starve them to stop
their growth; and that we cannot compel them
to grow or to prosper after the margin between
cost of operation and income has disappeared
or become so narrow as to be unattractive.
President johnson, of the Norfolk and Western.
a conservative man. In strong speech recently
delivered, said the railroads of the country are
being regulated to DEATH They made govern
ment regulation necessary by their own policies
and systems OF management but sensible people
past mistakes and sins. The question is
whether the regulation is wise and just, and
whether the public. considering It's own welfare
and the future, should continue present condi-
tons On one side the labor unions demand
and secure higher wages for railway employees
On the other hand the interstate commerce COM
mission fixes the rates for carrying freight and
passengers Those rates should be such as to
yield fair profit, considering the increased
wages and the general increase in cost of doing
business. Are they?
! 1t is matter OF figures capable of plain dem
onstration The commission has no more right
to starve the railroads by requiring them to do
business at loss than It has TO fatten them by
allowing them to extort unjust tribute from pa
irons. The purpose for which the commission
exists is to find justice and wisdom between these
two extremes. to that the roads deal fairly
with the public and that the government deals
fairly with the roads The conservatism and
enlightened selhshness of the country will de
mand the holding of that course Serious and
prompt attention should be given to the requests
and arguments of the roads to determine how
much reason liz In them and how far they are
supported by the facts and the figures honestly
reached The great mass OF the American people
are not extremists. They are reasonable and can
and do understand plain business affairs. If it
can be shown that the railroads are entitled to
more profit than they are receiving at present
cost of operation and charges for service, the
people will accept the decision cheerfuly They
wish to this administration and our general
dfoau frnr Y,,ie
take of reducing the roads to the point OF star
walton. stagnation and dilapidation so that it
will be necessary that the work Of building be
begun all over again in the future.
WHERE is BOWIE STREET?
One suggestion made by Robert Lecky before