The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-06-25
THE PROBLEM or THE M. &K.

NIOW that the railroads Of the country have gone
IN through the process which Jerome Haddox Of the
Cuyan Valley Thunderer calls being McAdOOd we
hesitate TO make any prediction to the possible outcome
Of DE Morgonlown and KingVood railroads notice that
Il going to go out Of business the FIRST of the month
because cannot make ends meet However if something
tnged with unpleasant surprise to happen to the Off
eerS and directors Of the corporation would be strictly in
keeping with precedent.
The business Of being q railroad is not mere vulgar
money making career Lois Of railroads have made
any money anyhow but that neither here there for
lie purposes Of the present discussion The big idea is
that money making is merely an incident when money
i made Railroads exist to give service. They set
down on the tax books Of this and other comOneahs as
public service corporations In order that they may the
better perform their duty they are given many privileges
IN return they are expected to perform certain functions in
the interest Of the whole public. One Of these to haul
goods and passengers at les: regular intervals and
with reasonable efficiency.
There never any confusion about this when railroad;
are started Promoters work the field with great skill,
and while they have no objection to the buyers OF stock
believing that some day the road will make enough money
10 pay dividends. the main appeal always that it IS
duty the prospective stock buyer the community. But
as time goes on the control Of sama roads falls INTO the
hands Of few men and every in while the owners
Of little road which is losing money make up their minds
that hey will just quit cold
Unless they consult good railroad lawyer then is when
hey get their surprise for under the old dpensatcn the
Interstate Commerce commission in the OF roads that
eo's state line or the public service commission, il the
road nlEasale, warning that the corporation IS
not It's own boss but the servant Of the great American
public and that if It lies down on the JOB pains and pen
allies will be visited upon the owners end managers in
several instances have been compelled to such
roads at loss and give adequate service Tor long lime
before they were able to get from under.
In the case Of the Morganown and kmgwood there IS
not he hest chance that the road will be permitted to
nspd There are at least ten coal operations upon 1t
now and in time there will be many more. The road has
been in grossly incompetent and none too public spirited
hands for some time and as result the service has given
ise 70 much complaint but the chances that some
foTt will have 10 be made to trains until remedy
Be worked out
In al seriousness the case may become quite notable in
he railroad history Of the war. for il is likely to bring up
quarey before the Railroad administration the real prob
EN- Of the short line roads Of the country Some time ago
be announcement was made at the Office of the director
general that the short lines would not be taken over. but
hat hey would be assisted in various ways. That was
peat disappointment 10 the owners Of number Of poverty
eken and run down roads who had hoped that the gov
mment would relieve them Of their burdens. The NJ &
Z u the FIRST road to make the definite announcement that
cannot 90 any further and the government will have to
pmuale some sort Of direct aid If it took the road over
Te would be vetable avalanche Of such cases. so there
little likelihood that will happen. At all events the
arrangement Of the MOnOngalia and Preston road has
aTled something the outcome Of which will be watched
Eitb considerable interest through bout the country.