The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-02-12

affairs have not been honestly administered.
The widespread disaster and distrust which
now exist would be more easily overcome II
this were not true. The roads have mostly
been built from the proceeds OF bonds, sold at o
heavy discount, and by contractors who buiit
for their own profit, so the bonded debt often
represents more than twice the cost Of theroad,
and the road itself has to be thoroughly rebuilt
by those who operate 1t during the first few
years Of Its existence. All this You know to bo
true, gentlemen, yet hear you ask me: What
have we as Master Mechanics to do with it2
How are VIC respons,blep / am quite aware
that your responsibility only begins when the
railway is finished and its rolling sock Is 10 be
operated You are skilled In the profession;
all that You are and all that you can hope to
become depends upon the weli-bcing and good
management Of railways now, and their pros
perity in the future. Every week, almost every
day, some practical man is sought to operate o.
railway; this is IN assurance tLhat you are to
have more to say In these matters in the future
than you have hail III the past, and IL therefore
is well that Jour attention has been callca 10
them. 1t is well that you, who. as practical
men, are to make the earnings OF the railway,
should know whether Its debts represent lis
cost OF double its cost. II is well that when
you go on to new road you should. know
whether 1T has to be rebuilt after dishonest
contractor. 1t Is well, above all, that when YOU
are invited TO position on new road yots
should know whether 1t ~ q road which by the
best management, can be made TO pay ut a1l,
or whether it has been projected by some in
teres.ed person for his private profit, in it's
construction, and cas not be made to pay, and
you are called TO waste your energy and time
in attempting an impossibility. The railway
having been built, and being in operation, is
your particular department free from all blanc
Tor the disaster about usp The travelling pub
lie, like every other portion Of tho community,
seek ease and luxury. These parents OF ef-
feminacy they pay for with more willingness
than they do for their railroad fare. They yet
a pass over the road II they can and pay With
pleasure for the luxurious slccpers or the par
lor cars. This public demand for luxury mas
created - rolling stock as great in weight as it
is delightful in ease You know the cost VI
operating such rolling stock, you know the
weight OF the locomotive required to move IT,
you know the excellent condition OF the track
Indispensable to operating 1T ut a high rate Of
speed with safety. Have You studied carefully
to know whether the road with which you arc
connected can afford 10 be operated with this
luxury anu aG this speed2 Arc not lighter en-
gines and cars and more moderate speed cs-
scntial To profit in operating many of our rail-
roadsS on reply, that all this luxury and this
great speed is no fault Of the mechanical de-
partment: that 1t exists in consequence OF .
public demand, and tile public alone are re-
sponsibie. The public at like spoilt child IN
the matter; they take all the sweet they can
ger, ana cry for more. This calls upon you to
exercise all your iirmness and all your wisdom.
to put an end to losing business, which YOU
know must end disastrously. Let NE beg every
one Of you, then, tO renew your ass;duity in
these matters, and to do all you can to canso
heavy rolling stock to bo removcd from the
roads you serve. unless the trafnc Is 50 enor-
nous and lucrative as to bear the expense 1t
entails. Involved in this question Of operating
the rolling 9, ock for which you are directly re-
sponsible. is the cost Of moving large bulks
great distances and selling tGem Mt profit.
had the honor very briefly to call your atten
ton to this point year ngo. All che injury to
the railroad interest OF the country, which
mfsconception of this great question could do,
has been worked within year. II is hardly
possible to overestimate that injury. II had
It's origin in something akin TO irauG, pcrpe-
trated by those who projected and construct cd
railroads on tho people OF ncIgh6orhoods
through which they passed.
10 obtain from the farmer pccuniary aid in
the way Of donu,ions by representing TO him
that his bulky freight, in the shape Of farm
products, would find high market and at q
low rate VI freight, was one unfaillng financial
resource of the projectors OF theec unnt cpssary
roads. 1t was the hope held TO the view Of tho
honest and unsnspecsing husbandman Quilt
upon foundation OF misrepresentation and
falsehood. 1t has borne the bitter fruit which
might have been forester.