The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1913-08-08
That .4NTI-MERGER SUIT

A word concerning the propaganda of the railroads to convince
the public that they have been, and are being badly treated by the
people of Mississippi.
There can be no reasonable doubt that the present management,
of one of the great railroad systems passing through this state is sys-
temaicaNy endeavoring to create the impression that all damage
suits and all suits instituted by the attorney general are unjust and
dishonest.
alton along this line. The president visited the annual meeting of
the Press Association at Natchez and talked to the "moulders of
courts ana Jurles OF our state. These two informal addresses have
been printed in pamphlet form for distribution among the masses.
as many OF the newspapers have recently printed editorials espous-
ing the cause of the much-abused y railroad corporations.
A halftruth is frequently more dangerous than a masked le
That damage suits without merit have been successfully maintained
against railroads, can not be denied. That larger verdicts than the
facts justify are sometimes rendered, is also undeniable. On the
other ham,, that the claims department often treats claimants with
scant courtesy, is a fact known by most persons who have attempted
to settle with railroad companies without an appeal to the courts
The attorney general has brought suit against the Illinois Cen
trail railroad company for violating the laws of the state prohibiting
parallel and competing lines from leasing, owning, or ABSORBING each
other. This suit is being unsparingly condemned bv some Of the
public journals. 1t would seem that the press, in taking up the fight
of the | c. R. R. Co. has been a little premature, and certain it is.
the editorial briefs fail to disclose the remotest knowledge of the
principles involved.
The present attorney general seems to be trying to perform his
duties IS the chief counsel for the state, without fear or favor, and it
is but Just and right for all of us to give him a hearty support so
long as he proceeds along this line.
Enforce the law as it is written. If the law is bad, the legisla
did it with their eyes open and must bear the consequences. That
the rape of the law was accomplished many years ago, affords no
reason why the rapst should not be punished.
Confessedly,. we know nothing of the merits of this suit, but we
are willing to leave its trial to the constituted authornies-and we
refuse to cruelty the law department of the state for going to the
courts for a settlement of a lawsuit.
In our opinion the railroads re handling dangerous explosives.
tamperng with loaded guns, when they elect to try their cases by a
liant. The people are Suspicious of Greeks bearing pifts-insp;red
newspapers have fooled themselves before this.
absolute fairness to the railroads should be the policy of the
state, and we believe that in spite of the campaign of martyrdom be-
ing waged. the courts and juries will accord a square deal to the cor
poratons. Let the railroads meet the people half way by making
an honest effort to adjust meritorious claims and the case of the am
bulance chaser VS.. the claim agent will be dismissed.
The trouble, as we see it., il that the claims department does