The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1920-01-30
MASON'S BILL FOR
PASSENGER SERVICE


islature which has for its aim the
forcing of railroads to give the gen.
eral public some measure of service
in the operation of passenger trains
on all roads of more than five miles
in length, within the state. 1t is
not certain that the passage and strict
enforcement of such an act would in
every case be to the best interest of
the public or equitable to both the
public and railroads. There might
be exceptions to an iron clad rule of
requiring all railroad companies to
operate two passenger trains each
way, every day, as Mr.. Mason's bill
is intended to do. But as a general
proposition 1t is a good measure and
ought to be the law that railroads
should give that sort of service on
all roads of IL or15 miles in length,
or over, perhaps.
We presume that Mr.. Mason was
prompted to introduce the bill in
question, mainly on account of such
abominable service as the people of
Ohio county have been getting from
the NJ. H. & E. for several years past,
because the people demand it as well
as because it is right.
When a company undertakes to
build road through a country it in
variably secures the free gift of the
right of way from every land owner
possible, and those who do not gra-
ciously give it are sued and through
condemnation proceedings it is taken
whether you wish the road to cross
your premises or not, under the pre-
tense that the construction and opera
private benefit, enabling people to
ship their products, go to theft Coun-
ty Seats etc.
The NJ. H. G. E., is approximately
60 miles in length, more than 80
miles of which lie in Ohio County,
starting at Elmitch, where IL connects
with, the Fordsville branch of the
l.. II. est. L., crossing the Owens
boro and Russellville branch of the
l.. & N, at Norman, intersecting
the main line of the l.. & N, at Madi-
sonville and on to Providence, Nor
no t,,fiald and narhanS halou, Va+ III a
only service we have had from this
road for several years has been a
mixed passenger, hog and cattle, coal
and general freight service starting
from Ellmitch early in the morning
and returning some time during the
following night. People living in the
upper end of the County, 25 and 80
miles from the County Seat, on down
to within miles could, if they wish
ed, come that way, get TO their
County Seat at reasonable hour in
the forenoon, but never with any
certainty could tell when they would
get back to their homes, as the train
was nearly always from one to four
or five hours late on its return trip.
Those more unfortunate residents in
the Western part of the County, in
the Ceralvo, Smallhous, Kronos, Cen
tertown and Point communities were
absolutely, and are now, denied all
use of the road for the purpose of
coming to the County Seat, because
the train did not come that way until !
late in the day, returning the next
morning too early for people to trans
act any business. In order to do any |
sort of business, people from all over ,
the lower part of the county were re-
Quired to be in Hartford two nights J.
and one whole day, so no one from 4
that section ever used the road for !
the purpose of coming this way
The r. r. Company has put pas
senger train on lately, starting from
Ellmitch at a reasonable hour in the
and returning in the after
noon, passing through Hartford
about o'clock. No service is af-
forded by the new passenger train for
those living below here, because the
same old trouble arises, patrons can
not get to the County Seat, transact F,
any sort of business and return home
over the road, except they remain
two nights and one day, as the pas {,
senger coaches have been removed
rom the cattle, hog and coal train.
Pass the bill, by all means, give the
people the service they are entitled
20, and as was alleged in every petit
ion filed in Court to take the land
WAY from the farmers for the right {
If way, 1t was to be public benefit.
operated for the good of-the country /
through which II passed. The peopl = l
ire entitled to fair treatment, and IL {
I must be at the hands OF the Legis-
ature let II come that way. II