The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-10
PEOPLES FORUM


Editor virsinian;
sir.--I beg space in your paper for the fol-
lowing. Din reply to the letter OF MT sidney
Branch Belts. published in your issue Of Feb
ruary 5. 1915, captioned. Defends Company
from Politicians
The gentleman expresses the hope that every
politician IN the city read President Wilson'S
speech before the convention OF the American
Railway Association pu blshcA in your excellent
paper on January so, 1915; then proceeds that
Among the great things he said, was that the
era Of suspicion has been banished and that
most men know that the great majority of bus
mess men were honest / agree fully with the
President as to this statement and will add,
hat the honest business industries are bless
ing to every community and God-send to the
people wherever they be located and / would
politics do read frequently, and sometimes no.
tee such little matters as tho Congress of the
nation appropriating fifty million dollarsI TO
detray the expense of ascertaining tho physical
valuation OF the railroads of the country on
mere suspicion that they were capital
led, and surprised and astonshed that "a
gentleman Ike Mr.. Belts should have apparently
failed to notice or be impressed with this ac-
ton Of our politicians tstatesmen). The gentle
man continues by asking the question: why
is il that city political oficeholders persist in
going before the labor organizations OF Rich
mond, haranguing them against the Virginia
Railway and Power Company :" wish to state
ia reply TO this question. that the American
form of government Is based politics, hence
all officers of the respective governments there
In political holders. either by direct vote
of the people, or by those chosen to represent
the people, who appoint elect them. and
when they, like many private citizens. publicly
address the people deliver oratons to the
labor organizations on private owned and OPP
Grated public utilities they are but exercising
the same right and privilege that the gentleman
tMr. Betts) who objects 70 their doing so is
awaiting himself Of through the public press 70
convey his ideas to the same people in the de-
Tense of the Virginia Railway and Power Com
rany The gentleman alsso makes reference
to my giving ADVICE concerning the payment Of
poll taxes. though never suggested. stated
hg him. to make on the franchise that the
Virginia Railway and Power Company wanted
What did advise was that the thirty thousand
or more men in the city obey the law, pay the
small sum of 81 so rer aunum, have their
names placed on the registration book. then
stand united under the banner Of equal rights
to all and special privileges to none, in order
that they would be in position TO wage po-
litiCaI those responsible for the political
and administrative obstructions that preven'
the people obtaining the best possible service
for the lowest possible cost at the hands OF those
enjoying the rights and privileges of operating
their enterprise under and over the public
streets and highways that belong TO the whole
people.
The gentleman states further, that ut Is the
ignorance OF we'll meaning men sometimes be-
ing placed fer political reasons where they do
not belong. where they can do good and
may be able TO do immense harm. And this
IL true OF lots OF public servants"
/ beg to inform the gentleman that some
times those who arroEate to themselves all
the brain and talent or later If diigent
In their research realize that it the igno-
rant we'll meaning of integrity that blazcd
the trails Of civilization and that the currcu-
lum OF our schools, colleges and universities
has been occasionally disorganzed by genius.
| would suggest also that the gentleman take
the time and very little trouble to investigate
the records Of lots OF our public servants,
expressed by himself. | am sure he will find
many which be cited in illustration OF the
spirit Of democracy, founded merit and the
policy OF recognition of fidelity TO a task which
characterizes their conduct and emphasizes
the value OF experience, and experiences that
comes through continuity of service The pub
lie being generally aware OF these facts fire.
auently invite such men to speak to them when
they fesl that they aggrieved and want
lief
Very Respectfully.
JAS. f. DTCKERaOr.