New-York daily tribune., 1854-08-24
RAILROADS AND THE PUBLIC.

The Rsilrosds-msny Of them-are experiencing
hard times along with the rest Of and the general
destruction of the Fall Harvest by the drouh is like
ly TO make these times stll harder. We believe the
ayerage receipts of the Railroads throughout the Free
States for the next year will be twenty per cent less
than they would have been if this years Harvest had
been good. In view of this calamity, pressed by
heavy debts and in the Wholesale dearh Of cash aud
credit, the Directors are generally agreeing to in-
create their charges for travel aud transportation.
We are not sure that this is wise. 1t may throw off
more than business enough to counterva the in-
creased charges Until the lst ofDecember or there
sbouts, the great Railroads through cur State must
compete with the Erie Canal for freight, and with
the Hudson River and Lake Ontario for both freight
and travel These rival routes will not increase their
charges merely because the Railroads do and the
hardness of the times constrain nearly all TO practice
rigid economy We should not be surprised to find
the Railroad combination to enhance charges mis-
take and failure.
But while the policy of this enhancement s on open
question the rgh to make it is perfect and iniubita
ble Nay, it is the manifest duty of the Directors to
increase their charges within the limits prescribed by
law if they believe that they may thereby increase
their receipts and improve the prospects Of their
stockholders. Those stockholders about the best
abused class of men in the community. They geoe-
rally took stock not because they desired to do so
Dor because they could not employ their means moro
advantageously but because somebody must take it or
tho road would not be built. They subscribed from
as truly patriotic and noble an impulse as ever sent
volunteer into battle for his countrys rights liber
ties. They did not generally expect to make money
and they decidedly have not been disappointed. II
all the Railroads in the country were set up at auc
tion tomorrow they would not bring within One
Hundred Millions of their costs aud yet the country
s at least Three Hundred Millions richer because Of
them. A great public good has been attained, bat
(at usua at the of much indVd Ia loss and suf
ferirg. Farms and lots and buildings have been en-
baIccd in value but to great extent at the serious
cost Of Railroad stockholders who not their
ers. Many mans farm has been doubled in value by
Railroad running through it, though he refused to
subscribe dollar toward making that Railroad and
screwed the last possible shilling out OF it for land
damages, when his land was not actually damsged at
all, but benefited.
Now if the Railroads should be able, by increasing
their charges even fifty per cent, to pay their stock
hOlOtls ONIutuub ~ tHtI uuductb OU bDuHu
and hopeful footing, we, who have nothing to gain
and much to lose by such enhancement, shall not
grudge them penny oft. We should regret the ne
cessity which impeled to that enhancement: we
should hope that it would soon pass away; but we
should not blame those who decreed it. Though Ril
road charges were carried so nigh. the public would
still be greatly obliged and benefited by those who
rsked their property in the construction of Railroads
We do not decide that this or that course is ad.
visable in the present exigency but We insist that
low fares best in the long for all concerned.
We have three cent omnibus lines recently estab-
lshed in our City, and the way they are crowded,
within and without is instructive lesson to Rail-
road managers. We have not doubt that moro
money could be received as fare from travellers be-
tween this city and Chicago at Sl5 each than at $50,
and so nnearly every case The actual cost Of con.
veyng human beings in rst-cass cars need not Ger.
tany exceed one cent per mile; if so, one thousan
passengers per day at two cents per mile make bet
ter business than three hundred at four cents. You
may think people don't refrain from journeying on
any such consideration; but in fact thousand, do be-
cause they must. Many a of New-Englaud or
New-York now farming in Illinois or Iowa will bring
his wife and children down to see the old folks 50
soon as he can afford it; and the difference between
high and low fares will probably determine whether
he can afford it this year or not. Be wise Messrs
Directors and do not forget the fable of the goose
that laid the golden eggs and her boy-owner who
proved himself the greater goose of the two. We
maintain your right to raise fares where you must;
but we insist that low fares and large business are
the elements OF your true policy. Bend to the exc
eency fyou must but do not lose sight Of the fuads
mental law of your vocation.
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