The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-07-31

have sought by forced and unhealthy
measures 10 divert II from its normal
course, and to direct II 10 these cities
| To this end, each, by absorption Of other
lines, or by direct construction, has ex.
tended il lines far beyond tbe original
design. Let Us look at the B. & o. K. R,
with which we are more familiar. Wheel.
ing was its original and only terminus;
II then absorbed the Northwestern Wiz,
ginla Road, and got 10 Parkersburg; then
the Marietta & Cincinnati Road, and
reached Cincinnati; the Central Ohio,
and set Its foot In Columbus; the Con.
nellsyille Road, and established ilGeli 10
Pitlburgh; the Hempheld Road, and got
10 Little Washington; II got control Of the
Ohio & Mississippi, and bid for the trade Of
the Great West At ST. Louis; made con.
nection with Lake Erie al Sandusky;
went up the Valley Of Virginia TO staun.
ton, and built branch 10 HsgerstoWn.
Still Col. Tom Scott and Vanderbilt were
carrying of the rich grain trade Of the
Northwest from Chicago, and Mr.. Garrett
could not be a Railroad King, II he per.
mitted them 10 do so unmolested, and
therefore the ChiCsgo Division Of the B.
& o. r. R. was constructed. And now
Wheeling which was the original termi.
nus, is not even 3 way station on the
road, but lies at the end Of four miles
switch. Icannot stop 10 comment on the
vast power Of this gigantic monopoly, or
10 trace up all the consequences. One
result Of this rapid extension Of the lines
Of the B. & o. K Il. beyond its original
conception and beyond the scope Of It's
capital has been the creation Of heavy
debt whose obligations must be met while
portion at least Of the roads brought
under its control have not paid for the
investment. Ithas also been thus brought
into active competition with its rivals,
and at competing points, the freight rates
have been ruinouSly low. The business
Of Baltimore, The prime motive OF the
management, has been greatly increased.
But TO effect this end, to meet their liza.
bilities, 10 pay the working expenses Of
the road, and to pay dividend to the
stockholders, the managers are COM
PEELED to screw up local freights to
the highest points they will bear, and
to screw down the wages Of their EN-.
ployes to the lowest point they will toll.
crate. When appealed to by shippers or
employees 10 redress these things, they
reply, and perhaps truly, that the neces.
sites OF the road compel them to adopt
this course, but they keep out Of view tile
fact that II is their bad policy that i'm.
poses such necessities on the road.
Heavy local freights discourage local en-.
terprises, and diminish the price Of lands.
Some western farmers, merchants and
manufacturers are nearer the eastern
markets than are the same classes in
West Virginia, II distance be estimated
by the rates paid for freight. This policy
must produce dissatisfaction and disCon-
tent, which in time lead TO injustice or
violence to the road itself. The great
eastern and western markets are, of course,
benefited by the excessively low rates Of
carriage between them, and have in con-
sequence become prosperous cities. We
are glad TO see them prosper, but are not
willing that their gains shall be our
losses. For the sake Of securing TO them
exclusively low rates Of freight, we are
not willing to pay excessively high rates,
and thus Of our resources involuntarily
contribute to their wealth. A manuiac-
turer, no matter what may be his local
advantages, located at an intermediate
point between the favored cities cannot
compete on equal terms with a rival
manufacturer in one for the reason that
he cannot distribute his goods as cheaply
throughout the country, the difference in
the freight charges giving the city manu-
facturer margin enough for handsome
profit. Hence country enterprises COM
menCed with hope and confidence, gradu.
ally wither up and decay, and those who
undertake them drift 10 the cities and
there establish themselves, for, although
the cost Of production may be greater in
the city, yet the net profit Is greater
than in the country, owing to the differ
ence in their freights. We do not want
fictitious advantages given to certain To-
calities, while others are deprived OF the
real advantages which they possess. We
do want equal facilities and means Of
business afforded to all sections and 10.
calities alike.
Under the present style Of manage.
ment unless town or section can have
two competing railroads, one as a check
on the other, il is better not have any.
They are Of vast Importance, but cost i'm.
mense sums OF money. We cannot there
fore, construct two parallel lines Of road,
when there ia only business enough for
one, Tor the sole purpose Of using one as
q check on the other. Ia there no other
remedy? Let them cease TO be agents for
enriching some localities by the impover.
ishment OF others, or Investments to make
the rich, richer, and the poor,
poorer. Make them common carriers
and nothing more with their charges reg.
ulated according to the service rendered.
Abandon all determinations. Where
their charges are TOO low increase them;
where they are too high bring them down.
II their incomes are not sufficient to yield
reasonable dividend to stockholders,
and pay a reasonable compensation TO
their employees, increase their rates. II
their incomes arc more than sufficient,
diminish their rates. Adopt this policy
and encouragement will be given to bust.
ness at all points along the lines Of the
road; energetic and enterprising men will
avail themselves OF the advantages thus
afforded to them, and will in time make
ample return for the facilities afforded BY
giving increased business to the roads
themselves. Adopt this policy and there
will no longer be Changers or Strikers, or
in any event their power and Influence
would be very slight, Adopt this policy
and railroad companies will not need
Senators or Representatives in Congress,
or members Of State Legislatures to pro.
teCt their interests, or United States
troops to protect their property. Let
their management rest on the broad prin.
ciple, that in advancing equally the inter.
est Of all localities tributary to them, they
will best advance their own interests.
We shall then have no need Of railroad
rings with their so.called magnificent
policy-a policy shrewd and strong, but
petty as that Of a sewing machine concern,
The patents on sewing machines have al.
ready expired, and railroads must learn
that the patent on their management is
about to expire, and they must hereafter
BE- conducted according 10 principles OF
COMMON SESsE.