, 1872-12-09

pressed themselves IS aboYo to the Directors OF
the Bridge Company.
TIE FARM AND GARDEN.
The Railroad Eating-Eaouses and
Hofe3s> Considered from a Stnati-
point Of 20-CeEt Corn and 3 1.2.Cc72t
Pork.
From Our agricultural Correspondent
CHAMPAIGN, ILL.,, Dec.7, 1872.
Ihe subject Of improved modes of culture
nave no longer IN attractive interest to the
western farmer, whose fields of unhusked corn,
ano overhoWlng cribs and bins, land stocks Of fat
nogs, that tie market invites at 20 cents for the
former and s15 for the latter, show IN over
supply that has carried prices to the bottom ::
and his eyes are turned in the direction Of some
new mode Of increasing the purchasing power of
the 20 cents that he receives for his busbe1 NJ
corn, and the $3.50 that the 100 pounds Of por,,
has put in his pocket.
lie finds that, in the payment Of old debts.
there is no discount, none On taxes or
railroad fares, but that, in the purchase Of
goods, he can make it spread over q broader
surtace,-more sugar, more syrup, more salt,
more dry goods, and the Thousand things that
go to make up the family needs and the family
comforts. The Farmers Clubs are becoming q
power for good in this direction. But, if ne
travel, as We must do, the cost Of meals and
lodging is at the old rates when gold commanded
24o. We are in the habit Of charging the rail-
roads with extortionate fares, but those sink into
ln5ignifcance when compared to hotel fares.
And it is just here that the railroad managers
can come to our rescue, and receive the thanks
Of d lons-suffering people, and, at tho same
time benefit Themselves
It is well known that nearly all our Western
roads OWL the eating-houses along the lines OF
their several roads, and these houses are rented
in most instances at mere nominal rent. This
was made Necessary at the outset, as people did
not wish to erect such buildings in the then con-
dition Of travel But this condition of things
no longer exists, and these houses have become
sort Of sinecure in the hands Of landlords, who
lord it over the travelling public. Theae men,
holding the monopoly for feeding the travelling
public, have become extorhonate, or, rather,
continue the prices that war-times demanded.
This state Of things has been endured until the
travelling public, by Withdrawing their patron
age, have nigh starved out this class Of hotel
kings, and put them IN q condition to listen to
rea son an d it 1s this that has suggested the
prop riety Of discussing the question:
The people Of Chicago, may remember the
that had come to the rescue of q people suffer
ing from the e1actions of the horse-car monop-
oily. They only doubled the charges Of the horse
cars, ard we're indignant that SO few pstronized
them. This was competition with q vengeance,
and one that the people did not fully appreciate.
After running empty lines and e1haustag their
tears, they reduced their fare to that Of the
horse-cars, when their buses we're filed with
people, and they became happy. This is just
what these eating-houses and hotels must do II
they wish to make money.
Within few weeks havo had occasion to
pass over several lines Of road, and have found
the condition Of things the same on al of them,
with here and there an exception. The regular
charges are from IS cents to 81 Per meal or 1odg
ing, at these railroad houses while many of the
hotels charge so cents for the same. Those who
stop over patronize the hotels, and thus make
the railroad house men sad, for they had reck-
oned on monopoly. But tllis is not the worst
Of it; the worst being that the travelling public
10 not enter their sleeping or dining rooms,
but remain in the waiting rooms, |
[unching on cracker and cheese, and such eat |
ables as they can obtain at the bakeries, and |
doing On the uncomfortable seats. This is the |
cut Of all, for it would not be good |
policy to compel the traveller to yacate the pub
nc fnr OF railway and make him Pay
acting landlord. The other night, I had occa-
sion to stop over at q cross-road station. One |
train left at l a. M for the East and the other
at $3.50 .. N: for the West. Ono passenger for
cents for the later train, there wero fifteen
three ladies and twelve men. Two
Of the ladies and one man took rooms at Is cents
each; the other twelve took to the seats in the
and was accompanied by her husband. They
were very plainly but comfortably dressed and !
were farmers from the southern part Of tha |
State on their way to visit q brother less than
20 miles diatant;. but they had to stop over for
purchased lunch at the restaurant at cost of
10 cents; they would reach the brothers. early
n the morning, when they would make up
Tor the want of sleep and
'1HF ,lty to meal make inqaif2 tG99 rhy ths tbs5 e
lid not take o warm meal and room,
md found that tho woman would consent to no
such thing. She had started out with stock Of
ood for the jurney, but delayed train had pre-
'ult was the lay-oye Of the sight hours. It
would have cost them 49, she said, to have sup
3er and lodging; which was an extort;on that
he would not consent to, and she would sit out
Rasrs ei 3hs thay 'o Woua pay
10 such prices. They were farmers,
Is Of corn for hotel-bed for half
he night. When they could get beds in house
Ike this at IS conts, ard meals at 40 cents, they
Tould take them, but not without, unless farm
roduce brings more than at present. One man
ad brought in lo:d Of corn that day, for which
o received 20 cents q bushel, and sent the team
ack BY his son. He Was going to visit sick
1other, so miles distant; and each one Of the
welye was from home On some errand Of neces-
'ty or duty. The landlord. who pays d nominal
ent, can well afford to lodge his guests st the
ate stated. At these rates, he would have re-
eiyed-
or Is meals.
OF 10 iodemgs $40
Total. .So75
Against this, he received for three lodgings
225. If he had charged 50 cents, it is proba-
Ie that he would have had one-haH OF his pat
mage, say 6
ght mealB
Total. .---..touJ
Empty ounibuses, vacant dining and sleeping
,oms, are OF little value; and the men who own
Iena lad hsttar haTa them filed II thaE Wish to