New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-03-25
PATLRO1U T1CTS,

The statistics carefully cOlated and judi
ciOusly interpreted by the Board of Railroad
Commissioners of Massachusetts, have enabled
them TO present in their annual report, just
out, important facts in new light, and to
throw doubt uron the correctness of some
opinions hitherto generally accepted. The
tabulated returns, by Mr.. Charles SOule of
Boston, form compendium of knowledge OH
railway subjects not previously attainabe !;
ana the work of Mr.. Charles Francis Adams,
ir., is as valuable i'll substance as it is lucid
in style.
The recent extraordinary interference with
one of the most important branches of
our national commerce by certain railroad
monopolists, and tho danger that this
temporary stoppage of the oil business may
be the precursor Of permanent change in the
channels OF that trade by which this city will
be the chief sufferer, make this report of the
Massachusetts Commissioners of special inter
est. For in that State the people are facing
vi tn good success the problem that seems to
DO decided adversely % their interests in some
other States--2s in Now-Jersoy; that now agi-
tatoe pcnnsylv, mia; that must, sooner CT later,
be answered in New-YOIk; the question
whether tie people of this country or the
railroads shall control It's commerce. The in
terjepcnderCe Of tie great industries Of Massa-
clusetts anl tie IlilrOad system is deliberately
discussed ana oTemDliGed by statistics in the
report. Tho Commissioners issued circular
to railroad companies, last August, urging q
revision Of Their freight and passenger tariffs,
with IL view to general reduc-
ton of charges, since the expenses
Of tie roads during a series of years
have been diminishing. Extended replies were
received, embracing more or less analysis of
the working of each railroad. Many roads
have diminished their tariffs, and the curious
result is attained, thlt roads paying no divi-
dcnds at all, or very small dividends COM
pared with previous years, made the heaviest
propOrtionate reductions in their charges.
This is probably because they are catering
for extended business. On the average,
the mere cost in Massachusetts, of run
ming each train one nile need not
exceed one dollar. In practice an allowance
is made for additions to construction and
rolling stOck, as well rs for profits, bringing
The actual average cost at present to 81 &c.
The perpetual obstacle that lies in the way OF
reducing the freight and passenger tariffs of
Massachusetts railroads, is that the companies
apply their surplus to additions and extern
siOns. But it is not unlikely that this is on
the whole more satisfactory to the community
than would be a greater reduction of frcights
and fares.
In respect TO accidents, the Revere disaster
furnishes the text for n careful review of their
general causes as well as Of those that led to
that occurrence. The Eastern Railroad, the
Commissioners conclude had paved the way
to this accident, not by violating any law Of
the Commonwealth, but by laxity of discipline
in carrying out their own regulations, de-
fciency in rolling-stock, the want of siding
at station and of Geographic communication
with stations, and also the attempt to do
an excessive amount Of excursion and
extra business. But apart from de-
tects peculiar 70 this road there were