New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-11-21
RAILROAD CHARGES AND PROFITS.

Chem transportation is so essential to the growth
and prosperity Of every community in any country,
that the subject has recently been most thoroughly
investigated by the abest economists both in America
and in England. 1t has ever been the policy, ngidy
enforced, Of ell railroad managers to conceal from
the public the actual cost of moving trans ana
carrying freight per mile. Given charges to pas
sengers aud shippers per mile upon road
equipped TO do all the business that can AZ
ford to pay the scheduled rates returns salts
factory dividend TO stockholders larger outlay OF
capital upon the enlargement Of power and facilities,
and reduction of rates TO increase trade, might
make the same return, but would not increase the
monthly dividends 1t is not therefore, the interest
of the owners and managers Of roads to in
crease the outlay Of capital and enlarge the
traffic By reduction Of charges if the dividends per
centum on the investment, are not thereby enlarged
But to the pubic IT is Of the most vital interest; aud
if railroad corporations refuse to recognize and respect
the rights and interests Of tho people in the transac
ton Of business, as public carriers, 1t will become
the duty Of the soveregns in this country to enforce
their claims for cheap carriage upon the companies
they have themselves created
The Commonwealth Of Massachusetts has taken the
initiative in this work Of reform. At the last session
Of the Legislature OF that State joint Special Com
mittee was instructed to investigate the management
of the railroad connecting the cities Of Boston and
Albany. In the report, the Committee charges the
managers of that road with having limited the pros
perity of the people, and having impaired their
reputation for enterprise.
The State advanced its money and loaned is credit
TO establish direct and economical communication
from the West to New-Engand. The Western
Railroad !" was completed, and traffic at once set IN,
and rapidly increased with the growth of the Western
States. From 1856 to 1894 eight years, the through
tunnage arriving at Albany had increased
l49 per cent During this period the
road running from Albany to Springfield
added to its equipment 2l2 freight cars, and the Wor-
cester road added none. During the same time, the
New-York Central Railroad, which il a continuation
of the line from Boston to the great lakes CT the West
added 2 O95 cars and increased its business 400 per
cent, while that OF the Massachusetts, road had in
creased only 62 per cents and as the increase oocal
business exceeds this, it appears there has
not been added one car 10 accommodate
the through freight between Boston and
Albany. This utter failure TO meet the require
ments Of the public and to comply with tho original
intent Of the incorporating act has determined the
people of the Commonwealth TO move in the matter,
and TO force the resumption Of the franchises OF the
road by the State, to be managed by the people for
the people.
special meeting Of the Boston Board of Trade was
held on Monday afternoon 10 listen 10 cOmmunica'
ton from the Hon. Josiah Quincy, the subject OF
deving means for increasing the facilities for COM
muncatiDg with the West.
In the course Of the investigation Mr. Quincy
thoroughly examined the railroad systems and man
agements in Europe and America, and has succeeded
in finding case, and case only, in which the
manager Of the business of railroad company in
his report entered fully into the detail Of expenditures
and receipts, thereby showing the actual cost 10 the
company conveying coal itsroad ard incidentally
on any other road. Upon this road coal was carried
from the mines 10 the metropolis and oil trains were
returned empty, thus greatly adding to the cost Of
transportation. Trains of 80 cars each, and carrying
100 tuns, we're run at cost that enabled the con-
tractor to carry coal at cost of 80 cents for 100 miles
The English Board Of Trade" in London,
has taken up the subject aud upon full OK