New Iberia enterprise and independent observer., 1913-11-22
REDUCTION OF RAILROAD
FARES.

While in New Iberia last Tues
day evening, Mr.. c. A. Maull
advertising agent of the Southern
Pacific paid us pleasant visit
In an interview with the gentle
man with reference to the efforts
being made to have the passen.
ger fares reduced over the differ.
ent Railroads in Louisiana he had
the following to say, which we
reproduce in full:
Without the transportation
industry of Louisiana, life itself
here, except everything of the
simplest sort, would be almost
impossible. Everything on earth,
even man himself, must be moved
before it can have value, and the
more highly developed the trans
portation facilities of people,
the more rapid their development
industrially and socially. The
rapid and cheap movements of
products so increases their value
that the workers and producers
get more for their labor, while
the consumers at the same time
pay less-the carrier getting less
than formerly for his services in
moving the products from the
producer to the consumer. The
railroads of Louisiana and of the
whole country for that matter
have great problem to work
out, and the destiny of this coun-
try for that matter have a great
problem to work out, and the
destiny of this country is inextri-
cably bound up in that problem.
The only way to settle it is in
fairness, recititude and righteous
ness, The people continually
want better service, faster trains,
more elegant accommodations,
more safety-all of which are
perfectly legitimate demands
but the carrying out Of these de-
mands costs money, and the pe0-
pie ought to be willing to pay |
for them. Everything the rail
roads use, just like everything
every one else uses, costs more
Agriculture, manufacturing and
commerce, in the free and un-
supervised rise and fall of pri-
ces to meet changing conditions,
act promptly, almbst antomatE.
cally. The great business of
transportation, alone vital to the
very life of all other industries,
IS hedged about and restricted
BY legislative enactment and
by commissions, both
National and State, in almost ev-
Try State. In addition to this,
.very act, every change in tariff,
made or suggested by the rail
'oads, is watched and questioned
everywhere. No fair minded
nan disputes the right of the
nation and the states to regulate
he corporations they have ere.
tied. We further admit that it
8 the right and duty Of every
Association Of Commerce and
railroad Commission to INQUIRE
nto the changes that may affect /,
heir interest. but the state rail
Dad commissions in general, and
he Louisiana Railroad Commis-
ion in particular, should exer. :
ise the great powers they pos
ess with conservatism and wis !
|om. 1t must be remembered
hat the railway, as a corpora
on. has no voice in the selection 6
{ those who frame and admins = :
n the laws for its regulation. !
9 physical property--extending = =
. great part through sparsely : :
titled sections-is the most de- =
useless property that exists. '.
in the very nature Of . .
8 existence. it can only find =
lfety in times Of stress and peril -
the invisible sentinel Of public g
,inion, to stand guard over its =
ghts and property. There has q
,en SO much wild talk as to the - -
tent Of over-capitalization OF y
n railroads, talk that has EN- g
ated from the minds Of men, 81
ho nine times out of ten, have 81