Palatka daily news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1919-1994, 1921-09-19

WHY DISMANTLE THE
OCKLAWAHA RAILROAD?

In several recent issues the Ocala
Star has assumed the position that
the Ocklawaha Railway has forfeited
1T right to operate as railway, that
it was being operated for the benefit
of few individuals while owing the
state thousands of dollars in unpaid
taxes. The Star also charges that
The ews is worried about what the
Sheriff of Marion county proposes to
do with the road. 1t says:
"The Palatka News is worried
about what the Marion county sheriff
is going to do with the 0. V. railroad.
For its particular information, we
will state the sheriff doesn't seem
worried at all. We suppose the road
will raise the money to pay its taxes,
but it should not be allowed to re-
sumo running trains until it makes
arrangements with the men who adj
yanced the money to build the road.
The Florida railroad commission has
acted like Lenine and Trtosky re-
garding this road, but now that Mr..
Wells is on it we hope it's behavior
will be different"
The Stars assumption as to our
mental attitude is of no moment.
This is the first line printed in this
paper other than news stories chron-
icleing the efforts of the Comptroller
to collect back taxes.
But if it will do the Star any good
we will admit that we are very much
concerned as to the final disposition
of the road. We are concerned to the
same extent that we are concerned
for the operation of other railroads
in the state to serve people who ac-
cepted their promise to service and
established homes and business de-
pendent on these roads for transpor-
tation. The Star remembers, per-
haps, that the Seaboard Air Line
wanted to quit serving the people
who had granted franchise rights,
but the courts stepped in and told
them that they couldn't stop operat-
ing, receiver was named and GER
tifieates issued to pay off taxes and
Indebtedness and Immediately the |
road began to recoup some of its
losses and is still operating to the |
benefit and profit of Ocala, as we'll |
as other points.
The Stars reference to "the road"
is vague as to meaning, but we as
sumo that he means Receiver H. S.
under the courts order for the bene-
Cummings, who is operating the road
fit of the creditors and has succeed
ed in putting it on paying basis,
whether it has been through serving
his own private business interests or
not. He must account to the court
for earnings, and if he can demon
strate that he has managed the af-
fairs of the road that it will pay its
anu pS IuLlGu DdCh W |
"the men who advanced the money
to build the road" he will have rem
dered a special service, not only to
those who have purchased farms
along the line, and who have estab-
ished timber camps for supplying
enterprises.
We believe the road should pay its
taxes, and if it cannot operate at a
sufficient profit to keep out of debt
it should be put on the block, but I'M
til this is proven, and while claims to
the contrary are made by the re-
ceiver, we hope that the courts will
permit an issuance of receivers GER
pay the state its due, and
continue to serve those dependent on
It's operation for livelihood and the
business enterprises which are con-
Venienced by it.