The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-05-01
State Railroads.

The Massachusetts, people having nearly
completed the Hoosac tunnel at a cost of
twelve millions, are now considering the
question of what disposition shall be made of
1t. One party and by far the greater part of the
Legislature seem disposed to consolidate all
the railroads that will be likely to avail them
selves of it, and dispose of it in way to Sc
cure the State return of its investment.
Another party, including number of men of
ability advocate the policy of the State pur-
chasing the roads running through the tun-
mel and managing them as corporation.
The leading papers of the State, however, op-
pose this policy and are not at loss for ex-
agcment of railroads and canals has not
proved successful. The experiment of rail-
road management by the government does
not premise well in the Dominion where it is
being extensively tried, and in construction is
found very expensive, not to say extravagant.
As to the operating of roads, the experience
Of the government in Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick, is far from fattering. The Nova
Scotia lines are IA miles in length. They
had cost,up 10 the end of June, 1872, $685.
25s. During the proceeding year the receipts
were $685., 1897, and the expenses 1886, 324.
The profit was $15,013, which amounts to
two mills on the dollar of cost. Thi. result
Is not due to light business. During the
year 194, 1877 passengers were carried, the pas
senger mileage being e,329,S22 and 242, 210
IN of fraiUhf fl,o los ho;p
n,697, 0S5. In New Brunswick the cost Of
I49 miles up to June 80, 1872, was 81, 76O, 553 !;
the receipts for the year, s294, O5s; the work
ing expenses, s225, SIC; the net revenue, $685.
A8,-being less than one and a half per cent.
on the cost. The profit was larger on a
number of passengers carried was PCS, 056;
one mile, 6, 793, 1913; tons of freight moved 9s,-
e51; one mile, 1928, 1854.
Missouri by aiding railroads was Obliged to
take possession of several that ccidid not meet
rrefr Obligations lnc State. These the
State attempted to operate but 50 unsatisfac
tory were the results that the legislature in 1886
directed that they be sold. To show the dif
ference between State and private manage
ment in Missouri, it is stated that road that
Melted but Sc, e64.45 in seven months under
government, with only a slight increase Of
business yielded 5000, 472.76 the first yeai
that it was run by private corporation.
Another road returned s37, 1864 under gov
eminent management, in five months. In
1871 with the same mileage, the purchasers
realized a net profit of $667, 319.55.
The people of Massachusetts will not find
anything to encourage them to try the expert
ment in that State from the above examples
But the conditions for successful manage
ment by the State are more favorable in
Massachusetts, than in the localities cited,
and there are thousands of intelligent men
who are eagerly watching the solution of the
railroad problem, who would like to see the
theory ofssuch management fairly put into
operation in that State. There is plausi-
biiity in the theory of State running great
avenue of trade in the interest Of the people
but it may tail in practice in the future as ii
has in the past. II, after fair trial in State
like Massachusetts,, it shall be declared a
failure, it will not be worth trying again until
there are certain indications of the approach
o. the millennium.