The Glenwood post., 1922-03-16

"
cease and those of the corporation be-
gin, or to what extent must the private
citizen be denied the right to make =
living, in order that corporation may
flourish, or to just what extent must
the people comprising the general pub
lie submit to dictation as to just what
route they must take when they plsn
journey, and in just what sort Of
conveyance they must rider
According to reports from Denver
Frank P. Lannon, member of the
State Utilities commission came out in
a strong statement condemning the
practice of truck and stage lines oper-
ating in competition to railroads. The
commissioner takes the stand that ths
railroads that operate the entire year
and pay to the state heavy taxes, q
good proportion of which goes toward
the maintenance of the very highways
that the competitive truck and stage
lines travel in carrying on their COM
petitive business.
The case in point that brought forth
the statements of Mr.. Lannon was the
refusal of the application of Ralph
McGlochlin of Glenwood Springs for
license to operate stage line between
Glenwood Springs and State Bridge
during the summer months. The COM
planning witness in this case was the
Rio Grande Western railroad, that
stated it maintained its lines the entire
year and paid taxes on it's property
and served the public winter and sum-
mer.
Automobile truck and stage lines
operating in various sections of the
state without certificate of necessity
and convenience are doing SO at the
peril of being prosecuted in criminal
courts Of the state" said Mr.. Lannon.
They are liable to prosecution for
Operating without license.
can the railroads would have to do
to stop this practice would be to go to
the district attorney of the district in
which the lines are being operated and
have an information filed.
"Our public utilities law is very
loosely drawn and needs amendment
badly to enable the commission to be-
gin prosecutions"
The Public Utilities commission in
commenting on its decision states that
the Denver Bio Grande Western rail-
road paid for taxes for road purposes,
$3s,023.24, and compared this sum with
$sl9.27, the amount paid by truck own
ers operating in Eagle and Garfield
counties. The commission also made
the following comment upon its find
ings:
Viewing the whole matter from the
point of present adequacy Of trans
portation facilities and in the light Of
decent regard for the rights Of 9th
ers, it would seem unequitable and un-
just that the vast sums wrung from
the railroads, especially in the shape of
road taxes, should be used to provide
means to encompass their own destruc-
ton. f-NS,-
Looking at all the facts in this
case it would seem manifestly unfair
for this commission to grant certifi
cate to this applicant that he may
skimm off the cream of the passenger
traffic during the summer months and
then leave the railroads to battle with
the elements during the balance of the
year, when railroad operations are 8
heavier financial burden and passenger
travel is exceedingly light.
But leave the railroad entirely out
Of the case and view Il only from the
scnrdro mt Of the farmer and city
home owner. They pay q very LARGE
proportion Of taxes assessed for high