New-York tribune., 1878-12-31
NEW PUBLICATIONS.


gArLRoADsTHEIR ORIGIN & AMD n PRoBLaMPs RIs p pss @
MANS Sons.
No ether writer IN this country has shown
40 much intelligence and independence OF tRough, III
the discussion Of the problems raised by the develop
ment of the railway system, as 'ne Au'noi "
the preseus work. His position as Chairman Oh
tho Massachusetts, Railway Commission has maze
the subject his chief study for years, ana
has given him opportunities htherto en
joyed by no other writer OF equal attaiumenH hS
writings have been highly appreciated by the pupnc
although they have not in all things met tne pupio
Judgment and this volume, in which Is eatnelod tue
substance of papers which have been previously pub
shed revised in the light Of fuller experience ana Iuuy'
with other ana matter Of interest ana Naue' eih
bodies the ripe fruit Of long researches by an soe man
in very important field.
More than one-thrd Of the volume is devoted 10 re
view OF the genesis the railroad system. The drama
tic story OF Stephensons struggles and uumphs toiu
with singular freshness in the quote letters OF Mrs
Frances Kemble Butler; the history OF Tue
South Carolina Railroad, "The Best Friend
the first locomotive operated in this coun-
try and OF the engine invented by MI. Peter
Cooper and beaten by horse in it's trial trip on the
Baltimore aud Ohio and the rapid development OF tue
system both sides Of the ocean, are recounted py mr.
Adams in a very interesting and attractive manner
The very independence OF Mr. Adams, which has maue
his suggestions the railroad problem so mover ana
Interesting esseued the practical value OF his WORK
Perhaps may be said that he has sometimes preserved
originality the expense Of fsOundness But he mas no'
been an opniOnated bgo and it is 10 his credit tha no
man could be more frank than been in admitting
any in positions previously taken MI
Adams believes the railroad system in this country
eas allowed to develop itself upon the false theory
that competition If allowed perfectly free play conld
be relied upon protect the community rom
abuses ~ that this theory never truly appicable 10
the system, which &" butt up upon the prnclple
NJ
of all Others" and consequence the principles OF
free tra did have full play; they were confined 10
favored Calities Hence resulted two things; In the
first place the community suffered in the next place the
railroads." Mr. Adams urges that competition, eIse-
where potent to reduce and equaze prices, has tended
10 arbitrarily raise and depress prices in railroad
management; that railroads necessarily partaRe III
their essence OF the character Of mOnOpoes and that
wherever this characteristic exists the ehecJ OF COM
petition Is not TO regulate equaze production
but under greater less degree OF friction to Dring
about combination and closer monopoly" Hence be
thinks that combination and concentration Of power Will
continue; he examines with great attention ana clear
ness of sight tho operation OF the railway
pools, OF which so many have been iormeu
within few years; and apparently loans TO The con-
vction that the only solution Of the railroad problem IS
10 be found in some legazed permanent control OF
MISUNDERSTANDING the part of the companies put
sustained invested with binding force, and subjected 10
public supervision by the Government
No brief sketch do justice 10 the compact ana
forcibe reasoning Mr. Adams, and yet it would DC
hardly fair to leave his ncsve and pregnant sentences
without a critical suggestion There Is, indeed eNl-
denee OF an increasing disposition on tho part OF rail-
roads to combine, but always for their common aG-
vantage against the public as we'll as against FlVal
roads For voluntary combination, with such objects
as long each may find his own interest served
thereby, railroad managers very ready. But
we fail TO any evidence whatever that they
are ready, approaching readiness TO surrender
their independence, either by admitting Governmental
control or by permitting any voluntary combination 10
have lasting power enforce its will The latest COM
binaton like the earliest, is defed with impunty be-
cause the Trunk lines absolutely refused TO give any
body adequate power to cOerce them The coal c0mDi-
nation has lived because IL thought prohta
BILE; It dies with the year. because members hope TO
serve their interest better otherwise AS to Govern
mental supervision the railroads surely pardonabe
If they prefer anything to that IN view OF the bill ro-
Gently passed by the lower House Of Congress. AS
long the roads stand upon their charters, they
can force each other TO temporary arrangements; II
they ever submit to the control Of the Government
every grotesque dream wanton vagary OF theo-
rists, every greed Of plunderers, every malicious
Rnavery of repudiatOrs, will have chance TO get Itself
imbedded in legislation Under the guillOtne victims
used to complain II the dull. II the railroads
have to be slaughtered they will prefer to have the jon
done artsticay, and with sharp edge, and instead OF
leaving it to Congressional bungers will decide to cur
each others tbrOats.
Wh;taker's Almdndck( for 1879 Brentano)
maintains the reputation which this standard English
publication has long enjoyed for careful statistical his
torical and other information welarranged and freshly
compiled. The present volume takes due notice OF the
great political changes Of the past year, and contains
the usual chronicle OF important events.
The fifteenth volume of Mr. William Win
ters Prompt Boo. of acting plays contains Shakes
peare's Much Ado About Nothing Mr. Winter has
now completed the series originally designed, but 1t
is to be hoped that a public demand VIII induce h'n
soon task which he has performed Win sueh
acute Judgment and exquisite taste.