Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-01-16
ute new and more satisfactory system

substitute new aud more satisfactory system
of management.
The commissioners do not believe that the
desired relief lies in the direction of general or
special laws regulating rates and management;
but in the adoption by the state of its own plan
of railroad management, wholly independent of
private railroad corporations, and give the ex-
listing corporations TO understand that their con-
tinued existence depends upon the success of
the experiment, and on the success of their own
process Of competitive development, side by
side with it. On the question of state owner.
ship of railroads there is much to be sand. in
favor of it and against it. Material and politi-
cal considerations are both involved State
railroads, and those owned and operated by
private companies, have always existed, and do
still exist, side by side, in Belgium; and the
practical operation of the two systems there
might reasonably be expected to reproduce it.
self here of those, it is said in an official re-
port: "The state railways find themselves
placed in constant comparison with those
worked by private companies; on the one hand
stimulating them to general improvements, and
on the other acting as sort of check against
any attempt 10 realize extravagant profits at the
cost OF the public"
The commissioners therefore suggest that the
time has come for practical attempt at the
ownership of railways by the state and
their management, with a direct view to the
interests of the public. They recommend,
therefore, that the legislature under its re-
served power, take immediate measures to
assume possession of the Fitchburg railroad,
between Boston and Fitchburg. This road is
selected because it lies wholly within the limits
of the state; it could be assumed by the state
for moderate sum; in case of failure 1t could
be disposed of without serious loss or inconvcn-
fence; and in case the experiment proved sue
cessful the route admits of indefinite expansion.
The Hoosac tunnel is already the property of
the state; it is expected to be finished in 1874.
By that time the experiment of state ownership
would be so far advanced that judgment could
be formed as TO the propriety of extending it,
and this route created by the commonwealth
would afford the most favorable opportunity for
testing in its full operation the system of state
management.
What is said of the methods by which the
ownership of the road may be acquired aud of
management subsequently,, need not be referred
to here. The recommendation will be received
with some surprise, and will not be hastily
adopted. The commissioners are careful to say
that they regard it as an experiment only,
promising one in their opinion, but which may
perhaps prove failure. That the evils which
they describe, exist under the present system, no
one will deny, and we know of no other plausi-
bic proposition to remove them. The political
aspect of the question, which the commissioners
G5cline to consider, is after all that from which
danger is most to beapprehepded. The proposed
experiment, if carefully guarded and entrusted,
as to its immediate management, to competent
and worthy hands, as it probably would be,
might very likely be for a time at least a inan.
ciaI and industrial success. Whether the infu-
ence of such an element in our politics would
not be coTupting and disastrous, as there is
grave reason to apprehend, is question the an
swer to which we might not learn until it was
too late to remedy the evil.