Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-08-21
M. Moran and the policy of the Erie Road.

Orr1cE OF THE NEW YoRK AND ERIE R: r: Co.,}
New York, Aug. !, 1857. )
On entering into the duties of President of the New
York and Erie Railroad Company, my attention was
particularly called to the great errors and abuses
which have gradually crept into railroad manage
ment arising principally from the eager efforts made
by each road to divert trac from competing lines 10
it's own The result is fatal to the true interests
of the stockholders of all railroads, that have thot
it nv duty to attract the attention of all parties IN
interest, TO this important subject Unless prompt
and thorough reform can be introduced il probable
that nearly the entire amount invested IN railroads.
estimated at about $700,000,OO0, will ultimately
prove valueless.
The points to which would call particular atten-
ton are:
1st The resort 10 agents to sell tickets and to OBJ
tain freghts.
%. TIE reduction OF the rates of fares and freight,
and the alteration of the classification of merchandise
and produce.
Sd. The issue of Free Passes.
4th. Contracts binding companies to sell tickets
and to send freight exclusively by one line.
9Th. The speed at which the trains are run.
The expenses of employing agents to sell tickets
and to solicit freighis enormous, without perma-
nenty increasing the traffic of any road, for in gen
era the public in this country too intelligent TOO
we'll acquainted with the different lines of commupi
cation, and their advantages and disadvantages to
be influenced to any extent by the solicitations OF
agents besides which, soon company re-
sorts 10 these cans of diverting traffic from other
competing lines, the latter resort to the same means
to retain it, that the only results obtained are,
very great addition TO the expenses of the different
roads, gradual reduction in the rates of fares and
freights and the diversion of the time and attention
of the of6cers and employees of the road from the
true interests of the company. This system of en-
poyng agents has also led to criticisms and remarks
on the merits of the different lines which have grad
ually been Introduced into the handbillso OF the differ
companies, creating an Ill teellng between men,
II how nf akI
common interest," to the great injury of the stockhod
ers. Ii has also become customary tor one company
to pay the employees of other companies Tor their IN
fuence in directing tn traffic of their respective roads,
most injurious expenditure for all concerned, tor
have no doubt that there are many persons in the
employ of railroad companies who receive pay for
their influence from more than one competing line
If this be the case it will surely be seen how useless
the expenditure is to both competing lines who SUBJ
sidize them.
The natural effect of all this is to gradually weaken
the moral principles of the employees of railroads.,
for if they see their companies resort, through their
agents. to trickery subtle fuge and bribery to secure
the traffic they are soon led to believe that decep-
ton is not dishonorabe, if successful and they end
by praccing it themselves whenever their own in
terests are anagonstc 10 those OF the company, and
unfortunately short minded persons who forget or
disregard the consequences of wrong action, this
anita ensm of interest exist in all the relations be-
tween company and it's agents, for the latter in
general seek to obtain the greatest possible remuner
alton by every means in their power, in exchange for
the least possible service. The interest of stockhod
ers will thus be generally sacrificed to those of the
employee if the very highest standard of morality
and Justice be not set them by the companies in their
dealings with each other and with the pubic.
Contracts by railroad companies 10 sell tickets or
to forward freight only by one of two or more COM
peting lines, appear to me 80 evidently unjust, so
contrary to the true interest of all railroads and of
tho nnhlio and onpOSad n the nrincnaS of
mon law regulating common carriers, that | cannot
see how they can have been entered into, or how
they can continue TO be kept in force. They will
invariably lead TO the employment of agents by the
roads injured by such contracts, to counteract their
effects All such contracts should at once be abro-
gated by common consent of all parties in interest,"
and the public be allowed 10 choose by what roads
they will travel or ship their goods or produce
The issue of Free Passes over the different roads
cannot be defended on any ground whatever. They
gross an act of injustice towards those mem
bers of the community who do not obtain them, as
towards the stockholders of the different companies
who have contributed the capital employed in the
construction of the roads, which have proved
full and SO profitable 10 the community at large, but
ruinous to the unfortunate stockholders. AT the
commencement, Free Passes were, undoubtedly, is
sued only 10 who had rendered services OF some
kind another, 10 the companies issuing them but
as no rule guide their ISSUE the introduction OF
the system in favor of those who had some claim or
Iue companies, gradually leu 10 us Ueing aValIeu OF
by every one who had any means or preext of ap
preaching an Offices of company and sufficient as
surance 10 make the request of him. That there car
be no guide 10 officer of company, in this issue
OF Free Passes, is very evident. If it be expedien
to give Free Passes TO the principal proprietor of
leading hotel, shall it not be given to his junior part
ners, and TO the proprietors of all other hotels
a merchant sends traffic, producing 5000 income tt
the Company. and u.s. therefore, judged to be entitled
TO Free Pass, upon what ground will it be refused
to merchant whose traffic is 81 500 per annum anc
so on, ad minimum, until it reaches the man whose
traffic produces but $50 per annum, and even thu
clerks of parties who influence traffic, 50 as TO en-
sure the influence OF the latter over their employers
The result s, generally that large number OF per
sons succeed in obtaining Free Passes, OVER ALI
ROADS, without the slightest return in any way, tt
the roads W no issue them, whilst the unfortunate
stockholder who receives dividends. u.s. generally
made to pay for his ticket when travelling on his owl
road.
Another class of claimants for Free Passes are tn
employees and officers of railroad Companies 1t il
common to have president or former employee of
ralload Sompany. travel all over the United States
with circular letter stating his claim to Ere
Pass. Why should the officers or employees of
railroad be entitled to Free Pass over any othe
road, or even over their own road when not travel
ing on the business of their Company, any NOR
than any other person The fact that they are EN-
ployed by railroad Company, who generally re
munerates them literally for their services, ought +
make item equally liberal towards the railroads, in
s'eao OF It's being reason to claim service fror
them without compensation. What would be though
OF clerk In MERCHANTS employ, who should claim
besides his salary, the to take or use the pro
peTty OF his employers and their fellow merchants
atnnI