The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-06-07

"aIOcU III u udTNcSO VI AOOOAIVos ''AAS~S
one man can economist by riding half
mile at a cost of twenty-five cents, nine
other persons would lose more in money |
by riding than they would save in time
therefore they walk. But all the ten per-
sons would perhaps save in time and fatigue
more than five cents by riding; there
fore, if the price is five cents, they all ride.
The result is that the vehicle makes fifty !
cents instead of twenty-five, for the same
outlay, and at the same time the public has
economised and is better of.
The result is similar in transportation for
purposes of pleasure. Where not more
than ten persons would make the Sunday
excursion on Lake Pontchartrain if the fare
were three dollars apiece, from two to three
hundred indulge in that pleasure now that
it costs them only one dollar. They are able
to pay that price and feel that they receive
it's value in amusement and restoration of
strength. Thus the boats make three hun
dred dollars instead of thirty, by a cheaper
ing of rates which may not be altogether
voluntary. Why should not a wise spirit
of enterprise suggest what competition
extortsf ..
This principle is we'll understood in our
Northern States and efficiently applied.
Railroads run accommodation trains into
solitude where they find that the elements
of population abound. Splendid cars per-
sist for months in making the trip without
passenger, but before many more months
they are crowded twice q day. A liberal
foresight has induced population, developed
business, and created wealth.
In our own city we have an illustration
of this principle in the street cars. Proba-
bly, no other similar transportation is cheaper
or more profitable. 1t comes down to the
wants and means of the masses, and is,
therefore popular institution instead of an
aristocratic luxury. Business frequently
obtains more Importance from its universal
character than from its costliness, as the
manufacture of pins is a much greater
business than that of telescopes.
Might not this principle be tried to ad-
vantage in our other modes of public con-
veyance in this city. Recently, we saw that
a movement was being made at the North
toward inaugurating the European tariff OF
charges for cabs, whereby, if we remember
Alright, the cost of their use would be about
onc-fifth of what it is now, but their en-
ployment would probably be increased at
least ten fold. At twenty cents ride in
stead of one dollar, their use would proba-
bly, be increased hundred fold. However
) this is a private occupation, and the public
have no right to complain if they do not ap
prove the policy regulating its charges.
Railroads, though, are, to certain extent
) public institutions, and their control subjec
, to public comment. The principal rout
e terminating in New Orleans, the jackson
railroad, has not seen fit to favor the liberia
policy which has worked so satisfactorily
elsewhere. 1t has not, apparently, had il
: view the development of its tributary re
- gions and resources, but rather the prof
4 from taxing as heavily as possible the travt
g and commerce which could not escape il
r, exaetions. We have recently heard unfd
st vorable comparisons made between il
Il mana cement in this respect, and that of I'll
n Mobile roads. Much greater facilities an
ID inducements are said to be offered by tt
e. latter. We are told of planters in Missi
sippi who haul thirty OF forty miles to I'll
IT. river, rather than fifteen or twenty to tt
for jackson railroad, while the freight trains
IN, the latter come down without perhaps OF
ew fourth of load.
,ht The great river trade is waking up to Il
'ch advantages of cheap transportation, il
ii- mense barges, grain elevators, etc 1t W
r'S be well when our railroad manageme
t nn shakes off the old Turkish policy of extrac
y ing the last possible cent from !. liscou
aged population-the penny wise al
wee pound foolish policy. Not only will the
red reform on this point give to them u hcaltl
md prosperity heretofore unknown, but it w