The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-06

culties might be explained, there Is reason TO
suppose he would prepare the way for
peaceful and satisfactory adjustment.
The Pro Rata Freight Bill i'm the State
senate-Monsieur Tonson Como Again.
The Railroad Pro Rata Freight Bill is an
old and familiar visitor in the halls of our
State Legislature. Nearly every session it
makes its appearance sooner or later, and as a
matter Of course it is always found ''down
among the dead men" at the final adjournment.
It is one Of the oldest, and sometimes one Of
the most useful Of the lobby relief measures,
and generally furnishes sufficient funds to pay
up back board bills, whiskey scores and wash
ing accounts at the end of the session. This
and in the absence of Tammany and Erie,
the probable failure Of the underground rail-
roads and the general lobby famine at the
State capital, is chung to tenaciously as hold
ing out the very last hope to the cravings of
the hungry members. In the Senate there has
been fierce struggle to keep it still alive,
in order that the railroad kings may
realize the necessity of using solid arguments
in favor Of its defeat, but not of course, with
any hope or intention of passing it into law.
After disgraceful scene Of confusion in the
Senate on Thursday, the adverse report of the
committee on the bill was agreed to; but at
the evening session that action was recon-
sidered and the report again laid on the table.
So, although there is little chance of any other
result when the battle is again fought, the
useful bill still lives and there is hope for the
strikers yet.
The idea of prorating way freight on New
York roads, when other rival lines to the West
running through other States have no such
restrictions placed upon them, is entirely
absurd. 1t would simply destroy all New
York roads if persisted in and enforced The
Pennsylvania Central or the Baltimore and Ohio
roads cut down their through freight to the very
lowest point-probably run their through
freight trains without dollar proft-in order
to compete with the New York routes for the
carrying trade Of the West. They make up
their profits, however, by charging fairly re-
munerative rates for way freight. If pro
rata law should exist in New York and no
where else the New York lines would be CON-
PEELED either to lose money on their way
freight or to give up all attempt at competi-
ton 10 rival routes, and thus lose the Western
traffic and ruin the commerce of New York.
This is plain proposition, and hence comes
the conclusion that pro rata laws for our rail-
roads, If enacted at all, should be passed by
Congress, and should apply to all States alike
There is no question that great railroad cor
poratons are too apt to misuse their power
and to impose upon the public. The stock of
the New York Central, which, upon the basis
of the actual value Of the road, should be
about forty millions, is dishonesty raised to
represent one hundred and five millions. The
Erie stock Is, in like manner, ''watered" more
than fifty per cent. In order to pay dividends
upon all this bogus, fraudulent stock, the peo-
pie are taxed in extra rates of fare and
freight, and in the extra cost of groceries and
dry goods in the West and Of produce in this
city. The remedy for this evil lies with Con-
gress. II can be reached only by general
law Of the United States regulating the issue
of stock and making such other provisions as
are needed Tor the protection of the people,
A single State can do nothing, because any
special Legislation to accomplish these objects
is taken advantage of by other States to push
the interests of the routes in which they are
interested. Congress has the constitutional
power to pass such law under its
authority to regulate commerce among the
States, and, If reforms are needed, as no doubt
they are, they should come from Congress-
and not from the Legislatures.
II is notorious that the Pro Rata Freight bill
is introduced in Albany for the sole purpose Of
inducing those interested in our State railroads
to pay money for its defeat The same men
who go TO the State capital aud urge the intro
dnction Of the bill return to Wall street and
volunteer to become the agents for its defeat.
There is neither craftsmanship nor honesty in
the measure, and the sooner the Senate re-
pea's its first action of Thursday and gives it
its final deathblow the better will il be for the
character of the Legislature At the same
time 1t would be well for Congress to consider
the subject and see If Soma general law oan-