Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-15

they agree not to raise their rates in case
of cons olidation. They would not do it
if it were not in the bill because interest
would prompt them not to do it. 1t is in
the bill to satisfy a jealousy that is without
foundation. 1t costs the corporation moth
ing, and if those who fear monopoly feel
any the more secure because it is in the
bill, let them enjoy this cheap soothing
syrup and rest in peace.
The objection which is made to CONSOLE
dation that it will act unfavorably to
branch and other railroads, built, build
ing, and projected, has no better reason to
support it than the cry about monopoly.
1t is based upon wrong ideas. The main
lines of railroad are fed by the branches
as a river is fed by its tributaries. As well
might the Kennebcc river be expected to
maintain its usual supply of water with its
tributaries choked up or discontinued, as
main line of railroad to continue business
without branch lines to feed it. They are
mutually dependent. One furnishes the
supply the other the outlet. The more
and larger the branches the greater the
supply of travel and transportation for the
trunk. The fable of the stomach which
undertook to stop operations and found
upon trying the experiment that it could
live no better without the other organs of
the body than they without the stomach
would be applicable to trunk line OF rail-
road that should undertake to do without
the branches. The dependence of the
main line upon its tributaries is so evident
fact that it only needs to be stated to be
understood. Those who oppose consoli-
dation on the score of danger to the tribu-
tary and helping branches are as unduly
Jealous as those who cry out against the
danger of monopoly. The State and the
public interests are amply secured by the
necessity which the consolidated corpora
tions will be under to stick to fair rates
and fair usage all around for their own
advantage 1t is said that corporations
have no souls, and it might be added,
should they undertake to be untriendly to
other roads and impose extortionate rates,
that they have no brains, a failing which
is seldom charged upon them. With the
general railroad law upon our statute
book, giving an open field and full right
to push railroads wherever needed, the
public is literally protected, and all fear
that it is not is without foundation. The
alarm and opposition which are manifest
ed in some quarters about consolidation
remind us of the alarm and opposition
which the railroad pioneers in England
aroused at their attempt to build the first
railroad. 1t was thought the smoke from
the locomotive would kill all the birds, the
sparks would set buildings afire, and the
trains brighten all the cattle and herds into
commissions. Landholders met the sur
veyors with clubs and drove them off, and
men of influence, Lord Derby among the
number, met them in Parliament with the
toughest ridicule and abuse, and fought
their petition for charter to the bitter
end. Common sense and perseverance
finally overcame the bugbears that stood
in the way. and thanks to the early friends
of railroads they are now worlds bles-
sing. The disjointed. loose, inharmonious
and bad system of railroad management
in this State, and wherever it exists, is
bound to give way to new order of
things sooner or later. Threats of mo-
nopoly are loosing their power to fright
en-, and the sober, second thought will
settle it that the interests of our State are
all in favor of consolidation.