The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-09-22
WHAT THE RAILROADS ARE DOING

The ST Louis Republic makes note Of the
fact that the railroads of the country are doing
great work for the cahse of good roads, and
gives them credit in these words:
This is not time Of great cheer In railroad
stationary declining while expenses steadily
mount upward. Wages are rising taxes grow
heavier; materials continually become expensive;
railroad legislation increases railroad expenses
Railway tariffs remain stationary or GO down
ward, And the elements seem to have CON
spired also. Missouri has seen flood followed
by drouth in single year.
But though cast down, The railroads are not
destroyed In fact IL takes more than receiver
ship for some lines and Strengthened incomes
for others To keep Mssouris railroads from a
share In Mlssourfs good road movement When
the governor Of Kansas gives hitch to his
overalls next week and remarks to the governor
Of Missouri that it's a long time between sea
sons Of refreshment, the railroads OF Missouri
VIII have made their contribution TO the work
going on IN scores OF counties Of the State,
Rates merely nominal, which fail to cover the
actual expense of train movement upon the
transport Of river gravel and broken stone VIII
represent the railroads gift to the good roads
festival and prove their response 20 the en-
thusasm which Is sweeping the State from
Atchison to Pemfcot and from Clark to Nc
Donald.
Which inspires Southern Good Roads to add
that: Five Of the big railroads of Missouri
took an active part in Missouri's Good Roads
Days transporting machinery and road building
material at merely nominal rates and making
cash contributions in scores of communities.
One or two of the roads OF that State have
special rates for the carrying of machinery and
material consigned to county State road
officials, not Just for season, but for all
time.
ut ia the same all over the South. Every.
where the railroads are helping the good roads
cause. Within the past two years good roads
trains have been run over the Southern, the At
lantic Coast Line. the Norfolk and Western. the
Frisco lines and other great railway systems
of the South. educating hundreds of thousands
Of people to the need OF better roads and the
best ways OF getting them.
Most of these trains have been known as
government good roads trains but they have
been made possible in every by the liherality
of the roads over which the trains were operated
1.-The railroads have done great things for the
receiving some recognition OF their services You
may count on the railroads all the time. good
times and bad times, In prosperity and In panic +"
Ana II may be added In passing that the rail
roads have done and are doing great work
for other good causes-notahly agriculture and
the upbuidng OF the waste places. For several
years past the railroads OF Virginia have pro
yided the State agricultural department, free
of cost. with well-equipped trains for transport
ing It's lecturers and demonstrators from place to
place. teaching the farmers improved methods
Of agriculture selfish motive, carping critics
might say, for what helps to build up the waste
places will help the railroads. but this mis-