New-York tribune., 1868-05-02
RAILWAY MANAGEMENT.

Certain journals in the interior of our State
announce, with uncOncealed satisfaction, that
decided change is soon 10 he inaugunted in
the management of our great Central Railroad
changes which will restore to it popularity
which it has recently lost. We know not
whether there be foundation tor these reports,
or whether the wish he, as with many rumOrs,
both father and mother to the thought But
assuming that some change is, or may he, iul-
peuding-we are impeled to indicate certain
features of the present management which, we
trust will not be surrendered.
l. The two or three last Boards of Central
Directors have urgently represented their in
ability to maintain the efficiency of the Road
without increased rates of passenger fare. With
considerable reluctance, we gave way to their
representations, and, believing that the debase-
mcnt of our currency fairly entitled them to
the relief they sought, we united in urging the
Legislature to allow them to charge 81 instead
of . cents per mile. The Legislature did so /;
but the Governor vetoed the bill. What is
known as the Vanderbilt regime commenced
with an assumption that the present rate of
fare would suffice, if honestly accounted for and
economically spcnt-that no increase should be
unless full and fair experience should de-
monstrate the inadequacy of the present rate.
All that the Vanderbilt rule has asked of the
present Legislature is to be let alone. We
trust no change will be made in this respect.
III. Under former administrations, certain
directors and officers of the Company enjoyed
valuable perquistes or privileges. One dircc-
tor owned n splendid elevator, and made many
thousands per annum out of the loading and
unloading of grain transported over the Road;
another kept great hardware store, and sup
piled the Road with bolts, chairs, sled9es,
spades, &c, &c; one officer made his private
pile out of wood another out of coal, &c, &c.
Under the Vanderbilt regime, all this is swept
away, and whoever is employed by the Com
pany is paid a specific stipend, but allowed no
perquisites. We trust that no change is to be
made in this quarter.
III. Under the bygOnc rule, there were Thirty
Thousand free passes ahoat, which supplied TO
nearly every train a carload of passengers
who paid nothing. Some of these were lper-
sons whom the Company could well afford to
carry free for its own sake but the great ma
jority were only the wives, children, uncles,
aunts, brothers, daughters, cousins, OF some
director, officer, or friend of the Road, to whom
passes were given in Difference to that officer
or friend, with "a full knowledge that the Road
derived no direct benefit from their traversing
it. The Vanderbilt rule has cut down the free
passes to handful; each proffered for some
good reason personal TO the recipient. We
trust there is to DC no backsiding on this
point. We have heard that though fewer
persons travel now than last year, the receipts
are considerably increased. r1n
1t is quite likely that there are features Of
the present management that might be inn
proved; il so, we trust that they may be- But
the fundamental idea of managing the Road
on strictly business principles, as good farmer,
banker, OF manufacturer, manages his business,
with intent to make money honestly for the
owner or owners-this we understand to be the
gst Of the Vanderbilt policy; aud this, we
urge, must not be abandoned. There is no
good reason why railroads, ably, honestly, and
frugally managed, should not pay fair in
terest on their cost while it is of the highest
public consequence that they Should do