The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-09-13 00:00:00

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

AND NORTH-WESTERN
WESTERN RAILWAYS.

LONDO:

TO THE EDI

AND GREAT

:TO OP THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD

Sin,—As a shareholder in one of the above undertak-
ings, and having leisure to think over their affairs, parti-
cularly respecting the long-pending dispute, as it has been
called the Battle of the Ganges," with all the accompa-
nying rival projects with the view of abstracting each
other's traffic, and competing fares when the lines come
into competition, which has and is still causing both com-
panies to spend every year such a heap of money, thereby
causing diminished or stationary dividends, when, from
the extent of traffic increasing so enormously, the share-
holders would have every right to expect at least one per
cent. additional dividend in both undertakings, I am led
to conclude that, so long as human nature is what it is,
no settlement can ever be arrived at between both boards
of directors, so long as jealousy, avarice, and ambition in-
fluence the actions of fallen man, and unfortunately the
exercise of those feelings under other names and motives
is considered necessary for the protection and interests of
each body of shareholders.
What, then, is to be done, in otder to give the share-
holders an equivalent and just return for their capital
embarked, and to secure the public safe and expeditious
travelling ? It is impossible the shareholders can have
the power and influence effectually to control the executive
in every particular,—any gross mismanagement could be
checked ; but, where a difference of opinion exists amongst
the members of. both companies, the, majority, no doubt,
desirous of equity and peace ; but how to bring together
that majority, scattered as they may be over the globe,
a difficulty insurmountable presents itself, evidently prov-
ing that the shareholders in such mighty concerns, as a
body, cannot accomplish the desired end.
To the Legislature alone we must look, to solve our dif-
ficulties, determine our relative positions, and by their
sovereign power put an end to the present state of things,
not less injurious to the public from the insecurity of tra-
velling, than detrimental, in a pecuniary point of view, to
the shareholders.

I would, therefore, recommend a petition to both houses
of parliament drawn up, embodying the matters in dispute,
praying them to define the extent or limits of the broad
gauge, establishing some fixed rules for amalgamation, so
as to embrace the much-vexed question of the Shrewsbury
lines, laying down some final regulations respecting the
promotion of new or competing lines, in order to avoid the
enormous expenses (legal and parliamentary) incurred
very session, regulate the rates of fares where competition
exists, and so place these two great companies in a friendly
footing, for the benefit of the country. Such petition to
lie for signature 'of the shareholders of both companies at
various convenient places, presented next session and sup-
ported by members favourable to railway interests.
The railway committee of last session, in their report,
condemns competition as injurious to the public, and the
Legislature have thrown out all new bills for a mixed
gauge, and bills for the extension of the broad gauge
northward, so that their opinion on those points has been
expressed; but whether the President of the Board of
Trade intends bringing in a bill founded upon such report
or not, still his hands should be strengthened' by such a
petition.
Hoping, if this should meet the eye of any of those who
take a more active part in the matter, that it may have
some consideration and be the means of inducing the di-
rectors of both, or either company, to lead the way in such
a step in an energetic and determined manner,
I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, H. H.
Liverpool, .Bth September, 1853.

NOTES, NOTICES, AND OPINIONS.