Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-12-14
BE Sure You're Right, Then Go
Ahead.v

We are glad to note that at the late railroad
meeting at the City Hall the speakers, while
showing proper zeal for the object in view of in
creasing the cityis railroad facilities, seemed
impressed with the necessity, heretofore pointed
out in these columns, of starting right in the
matter Of sfiording aid to the railroad projects
seeking to secure the endorsement of the Cor
IoratiOn-
We repeat let il be distinctly understood that
we do not propose to buy switches or elboss.
We want main stems radiating from Washing
ton; and every dollar We spend should 60 to
build UP railroad system for this District that
shall make the country penetrated tributary 10
this city. We want the engine houses, repair
SHOPS. deIots, Sc, here, and full security of an
authoritative voice in the management of the
roads, to ensure that they are not run adversely
o oW interests. To secure these ends we can
better afford To SPEND MILLIONS, than to fritter
away some hupdreds of thousands on switches
and elbows on roads running past Washington.
This city threw away good deal Of money on
he Washington and Alexandria road, simply To
enable that road to discriminate against Wash.
ngtOn' by taxing Southern freight through our
city to Baltimore cheaper than if dropped here.
And Baltimore merchants hal the advantage
OF the same Discriminating against our mer-
Chants in sending freight to Virginia
Just now the Loudon and Hampshire road ia
making active efforts to get aid from the District
Cities; and that aid ought to be extended, and
with q liberal hand, If the proper guarantees
can be secured for eur protection. But We
really cannot see what Washington is to get for
her money if the main stem is to run, as at pres
ent. TO Alexandria, and we are to have nothing
Ut an elbow from "FOur Mile Run" There Is
already switch connection between the two
rOads-the Loudon and Hampshire and the
Washington and Alexandria road-near that
ONT; but the advantage to Washington Is not
ppreciaIle. With such elbow the freight would
to go to Alexandria. as at present Washington,
with population OF 40 900, has right to some
thing in the railroad way besides switches and
elbows; and while we wish well to Alexandria
81 Il rather too disinterestcd an set in us to pay
money to build road solely for her benefit.
Our city in giving aid to any railroad enter
Prises must also see that the money goes to egiti-
mate ends; must beware Of playing into the
hands of the railroad "rings" that are gobbliny
up the railroad franchises of the country for
speculative purposes. These spectators operate
IN railroad franchises Just as they would in
stocks or grain, or cotton, without regard TO the
interests Of the public further than their own
interests may run in the same channel These
railroad specuAtOrs have monopolized most of
the northern and western roads, and are now
extending their operations south. The nsot.s
oFer1Hd' Is to buy up majority of the stock at
low figure, and then by securing State, county,
or city aid to SO initiate the stock that they can
rea(.e handsomely without risking or spendia,
t1Ar OF their own. Ii will be necessary for
our corporate authorities to keep their eyes wide
open in dealing with any of these adroit gentle
men oi the rings" We must see that our
money goes to build us railroads, and not to
enable them TO ''bull" their shares.