The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-02-13
senator Johnson's Railroad Bill Viewed
From u BuSineSS Standpoint.
NEw YoRK, February 7tl, 1879.

NEW YORK, February 7th, 1879.
Editors Of Intellgencsr.
1wil thank you for permission to in
dqlge In some remarks upon the remark.
able bill introduced by Senator johnson,
in your Legislature, looking to the ad-
iustment OF freight charges by the B. & o.
R. RICO. ID s'i ~
Although I am convinced that the local
freight rates charged by the road require
some modification, which I believe would
be OF mutual benefit both to the State and
the railroad company, yet such a sweep
ing measure as is proposed, cannot fail to
affect most iniurionsly, not only the road
but the State, whose chief artery Of COM
merce itforms. Inevitably the passage of
Slr. Johnson's bill would drive all through
freight from the Baltimore & Ohio to the
Pennsylvania Central, insuring the de-
cadence of the former without securing
fromthe latter any benefits whatever, but
simply placing it in a position to make
such rates as It should sec proper in the
absence OF all antagonism from powerful
competitor. r.,. n
There is Eo exception among railroads
to the rule. which classities freight and
makes the charges therefor according to
the character OK the goods carried and tho
distance. All railroads and, in fact, all
other common carriers make special rates
upon large quantities OF freight according
10 distance carried without breaking bulk.
This is not only the custom on all rail-
roads in the United States, but in Europe
where, in many instances, the roads are
owned by. the governments, and,it is the
principle upon which all legitimate busi-
ness Is conducted. Such rule is abso-
lutely necessary for the following reasons:
First-Because, except in q few favored
sections OF country, local traffic, even by
charging extreme rates, has proven .inad-
equate to cover the running expenses OF q
railroad.1
Second, Because sections OF a country
laying Q great distance from commercial
centres would be debarred from forward
ing their products, and manufacturing dis
triGts from distributing their manutac-
lures.
Apply the principle OF Mr.. Johnson's
bill to all railroads and IL would be equiv
alent to abolishing them at once, and
would drive .us back TO the condition OF
things in the Fourteenth Century, or for
that matter, at this very day, to the cons
ditions existing in China and parts Of In
dia, where the people in some sections Of
those countries absolutely starved for
want t'of the food that was rotting on the
ground In other sections, because the cost
of transportation was 80 enormous as to
forbid lis forwarding.
II Senator johnson has been in large
cities, he has found that the authorities
do not even regulate cab fares on the
principle Of Ills Bill. In London, for in
stance, il he should hire cab for ride OF
mile, he would pay one shilling, and /
should think would be better pleased 10
find that the fare ior two miles was only
llnlf o shilling more, and would be delight
ed to And that for eight miles the fare
would be but four shillings, and not eight
shillings as II would be on his plan.
Senator Johnson's attention Is respect
fully called tothe determinations practic-
cd bystrcet railway companies who charge
for a ride OF one or two blocks the same
fare as for the whole length Of their route.
Logically Il hS interfere with his bill to
stop discrimination on all steam roads he
should include the street cars, My ex-
perience With the B. &. o. i. 4. officials
leads me to believe that by arrangement
between o judicious committee selected
from the Legislatureand tho officers Of the
road local tarif'of rates can be fix
ed which would meet the appreciation Of
the peopls along the line OF the road.
[ When bought The Irondale furnace
property I found myself able to makesuch
freight arrangements with the otiicors OF
the Baltimore 4 Ohio Road; as decided
mace, tllareby helping TO revive dormant
Industries. In fact found them willing
to do all in their pow0I,tq assist in the de-
yelopment.of the country lllgo4gA which
their line passes. f.. NEMEdEEI,