The Omaha guide., 1933-10-07
An Editor Looks at The
Railroads

xN0l11 O0OS
The following editorial, which ap-
peared' in the Fallon Eagle of Fallon'
Nevada, shows how vitality the rail-
road problem affects all communities,
all businesses, all individuals 1t said
in part:
"Just how important the railroad is
to this county was emphasized when
the Southern Pacific and Southern
Pacific Land Company, between
them, paid to the Churchill treas
urer a total Of SIS, 465.85 for the first
installment Of 1892 taxes.
"Of course the Southern Pacific
has been doing that very thing for
years - paying . large share Of all
the taxes paid in this county. But
what made it so noticeable this year
was that, with most Of Nevada's
banks closed. tax payments were
comparatively few and the Southern
Pacific checks filled . big gap.
County employees will get their
pay, OF at least part Of it. Other PEG
pie who have claims against the
county will get all or part of what is
due them. High school teachers will
have payments on salaries two mon
tbs due. These folks. in turn, will
pay merchants who have been carry
ing them, or will pay their own tax
es, whichs had to be allowed to 20 de-
linquent. n.
"In short, rs matters stand. the
Southern Pacific and Others who have
been. alberto dig up their tar money,
are Churchill County's bankers and
have had a large share, with cream
cries and turkey buyers, in turning
enough cash loose in this community
to keep business from being CON-
pletely paralyzed.
"An institution which 9 50
much to any community is EMIT
led to fair consideration at the hands
Of the public. The community betters
its W condition by supporting and
helping to develop the railroad
which, in turn, will maintain and aid
to its taxable valuation, returning
more money to the public treasury.
Railroads are not faultless. AL.
though they have been hedged about
with restrictions which have ham.
pered their exercise of initiative and
Judgment in coping with modern
conditions, they are still at least part
ly to blame for the situation in which
they find themselves today by reason
OF motor competition. They have
found it extremely difficult to aIte,
their methods Of doing business
learned in the days when railroads
constituted practically the only mode
of transportation.
"There is, certainly, a place.for>ths
motor truck in the present day dis.
tribution setup. If the charges made
by the rails are true, however, there
IS much work to be done by public
service commissions in this and othe,
states to render the competition o.
the truck lines fair to the railroad.
and to the public.
Here in Nevada, as was pointed
out recently by the state auditor. th,
gas tax is inadequate to care TO,
maintenance of the roads built will
federal aid money and there has hat
to be q tax levy upon property TO,
this purpose The truck lines ma,
comparatively little property tax ans
the railroads, with their enormou,
valuations, are placed in the ironica
position OF paying a heavy share O
the cost of maintenance Of the right.
OF way used by their motor CON
petition while at the same time bear
ing all of the expense Of maintain
ing their own roadbeds, and pawn,
taxes for the privilege.
"The railroads are entitled to re
spectful hearing and to fair, impart
ial Judgment Of their rights w
can't get along without them and the,
should be given in ever chance t
p~roSper."