Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-09-30
Railroad ManaseInen:

There is no business so very much misun-
ment of our Railroads. Under 4 most suici-
dal policy of high i~reishts, the Directors of
Virginia roads actually cause their own bus
mess to lsnguish, prevent dividends, and
make their roads worthless as investments.
Freight is actually driven to other roads be.
yond our limits; locQj tracei and neishbor-
hood freights arc IN 4de to bear the expenses
of the road. Unjust Discrimination for for
eign OF Through travel" is made against
the local travel, though nearly ten "way
passengers" pass over p0rti0us Of the road,
where one "through-passengcT" travels the
entire line. The roads actually lose money
on the Through passengers" which Is made
up 10y charges on the way" NIrgini4ns
are u~njustly taxed 90 their own roads to pay
the passage money OF loreign traveller.
The State has tax d her people millions to
build these roads and foreigners alone reap
the advantage, the people along the lines,
paying the passage moury Of travellers, who
were never taxed a d ,!lar for the cost OF the
roads. We venture the ASSERTION that any
way passenger that travels fifty miles over
any road in the StIte that has the through
ticket" system, pays more money to the
road than the Through passenger" pays for
travelling one hundred miles over the same
road. We make the assertion at random,
and shall be glad If We arc IN error.
We are told that it is necessary to lower
the price of through passengers" to draw
the travel that the comge.itIon between the
various Western and Southern lines, readers
the reduction necessary. We are told that
more Through passengers" will travel the
roads the lower the passage money. All very
good ani most excellent reasons, AMI we
commend the wisdom Of the Virginia boards
Of directory as far as II goes.
But, we ask, why not carry so wise a prin.
ciple still farther? Why uot extend to com
modities the Applicant n Of 4 principle that
is found to work 50 admirably win passen-
gers3 If it is necessary 10 reduce the price
on Through travellers" IN order to draw
travel, why ia it not necessary to reduce the
prico on merchandise aud produce, to draw
| trade to Virginia roads, which Is bow drawn
by the WORKING of the same wise principle
to other roads, over Ii Gircui'ols and round
about route?
A poiicy now prevails that initiates a.
gaiust the credit of the Stat, the necessities
Of the farmer, and the d manis Of the cities.
Through tickets" at low rates, for passeu-
gers, is a policy datriuent.! to the interest
of the State. TIE Railroad. may carry
thous .n1s of ''through passengers" but TO
| compete with other roads, rapid tlme must
be made, at the cost OF great Wear and tear
Of rolling power ara road. Bur, worse than
this, instead OF Virginia roads becoming
portage roads, for the transportation Of the
produce aud merchandise Of the Safe, they
are being made passenger roads. What
good will ever eGuro 10 Virginia from tie
transportation Of passengers over the vaEi-
Gus roads. II it expected that the dividends
on the States subscription vii! be lncr eas"d
and taxes !essened? II 50. 1t Is a vain cal
c~ulation. The expenses iucjd.ntto the rapid
time required Tor "a successful passenger
road, Will consume the profits OF "A low
Through ticket" system. TIE through
ticket" system has been adopted at the cx
pense ut The freight business on tbs road;
the energies Of the roads are expended upon
the passenger trains, instead 0! being dcro-
ted To the great Interests OF tie State, tie
agriculture amd Commerce Of Virginia.
The people Of Virginia owe i: to them
| selves to see that al! future Boards OF Public
Works shall tie elected With reference to The
questions OF ioW .t,sijhLS.
We advocate uu Increase o! the fare on
Through travel" Ii tn Yu,ts uGe satisfied
that hy the reduction VI the !arc + the too.
est payiny price. they have been oble to III
crease their business, then We demand the
sanc reduction prop5rtionat!y Oh "way ira
vel" 1t can cost The Railroad no more 70
carry a way" than u "througa" passenger.
Our principle is the reduction OF fare 10 at
cases RI the Io,seyt vayi0g Dyicc --Rica. Enq.