Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-10-22
Imnortant Railwar R.formr.

To our neighbor State, New Jersey,
the general public will probably be in.
debted for a system Of railroad reform
more thorough and beneficial than any
vet attempted in the United States
The subject was considered at a recent
meeting of representative men from the
various railway and transportation
companies of the State, and it is under
stood that an agreement was arrived at
upon a number of important principles,
on which to base the proposed system.
First, the fare is to be two cents per mile
on all roads and for all distances This
is the rate on all the great routes
through New York State. From New
York city to Buffalo, about 450 miles,
the fare is 50; from Albany to Buffalo,
800 miles, it is Sc, and so for any inter-
mediate distance. 1t is on this account
that Philadelphians are induced to go
through New York city to Buffalo or the
Falls, rather than by the direct route
through Northern Pennsylvania, which
is about 100 miles shorter in distance
and should be at least So less in price.
The two cent rate is ample on all great
lthoroughfares. Low rates are sure to
enlarge travel to an extent that will
more than compensate for the reduction.
Second, tickets are to be considered
good on any train belonging to the line
that issues them until they have been
taken up by the conductor. This is
simply in conformity to the law as de-
clared by every court in which the point
has been contested, and the railroad
managers do well to recognize it, and
conform to it. Third, local commuta'
ton tickets, at low rates, will be issued,
and every other inducement to encour.
age travel, traffic and improvement
will be extended. There can be
no railroad policy more wise and
beautiful than this 1t is not
only the parent of great improvements
and rapid settlement, but is sure, in the
long run, to enrich the railroad company
that consistently carries it out NJ
merous instances might be given in
proof Of this, but there is a conspicuous
instance in one of the richest railway
companies of Illinois. 1t is through
line" yet its local trade yields no less
than ninety-fve per cent, of its gross re-
ceipts. Fourth, persons along the line
and elsewhere are to be encouraged to
undertake a produce commission busi-
ness, that will bring the farmers and the
consumers closer together, so as to avoid
the extortions Of several classes OF
middle men. This is important to every
person in Philadelphia, as we'll as to the
farmers. OF the high charges paid by
consumers for all kinds Of farm produce,
it is rare that so much as one. halt goes
to the farmer, the other hall being alb
sorbed by the immense profits of the
middle men. We could give instances
in which housekeepers pay three, four
and five times as much for the common
est vegetables as the middle men pay to
the farmers. The proposed plan of the
Jersey railway companies is designed to
abolish these excessive charges. Fifth,
an effort is to be made to abolish what
these companies call the express nui-
sance," and to adopt in its stead the
system of parcels delivery" in use on
the English railways. In this the COM
pauies will be doing no more than what
both duty and sound policy have long
since indicated. The railway compa'
MES which furnish the transportation for
this whole class of business, should be in
every sense carriers " Of every package
to its destination, bearing the RESPONSE
bility and reaping the profit. When
such a system shall be universally adop-
ted it will not only lessen the expense
for the transportation of light packages,
but will add largely to the profits OF
stockholders : Philadelphia Ledger.