Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-04-04
THE PROPER RELArIoNs OF THE
RAILROAD SYSTEM TO THE PUB

appeared at first sight comparatively
simple, upon fuller examination prov
ed 10 be exceedingly complex, and when
traced out in all its bearings, it was
shown that the Railroad problem seri-
ously affected nearly all the important
interests Of the State, agricultural as
well as commercial. There probably
never was a time in the history OF
this country when Railroad frelghts
and facilities were such important
factors in all business operations as
they are to-day. This may be attributed
chiefly to two causes:
In the first place the value OF COM
mOdities has so largely declined that 1t
is safe to say the present prices. as COM
pared with those which ruled prior to
and during 1873 and 1874, show de-
cline Of at least fifty per cent, and whilst
this is true Of nearly all articles OF COM
merce, it is particularly so of cheap and
bulky merchandise, such as iron, coal,
lumber, grain, cotton, wool, &c, the
staples which go to make up the leading
traffic Of the country.
In the second place, the undue slim
illus given to all branches OF industry
by the imitation Of the currency during,
and subsequent to the war, together
with the unparalleled extension OF the
railway system, attributable largely to
the same cause, has brought about an
oyer-production in nearly every line OF
business, and consequently, coupled
with extreme low prices, we find slug
gish markets and disastrous competition
in many departments OF trade. In this
condition OF affairs, when the margins
OF profit are reduced to the mini
mum-when in fact in many i'm
portant industries the object
of those engaged in them is more to
avoid loss than to reap gain, hoping
that better times may be in store for
them-it is but natural to expect that so
important a part as the railroads must
perform in this trade emergency will at
tract TO them and their management an
unusual amount OF attention and criti-
cism. When trade is active and indi-
viduals and communities feel the exhil-
arating influence Of prosperous times,
the minor grievances are in a great de-
gree lost sight OF, and determinations,
which in such times as the present give
rise to loud and angry complaints are
passed over without causing more than
an occasional murmur.
The late issue between the State and
its principal road was, in some respects,
a simple one, as it grew mainly out of
questions Of local Determinations and
alleged excessive local charges. The
railroad company met this issue by
wisely making such concessions in its
tariff rates as the business situation de-
manded, and agreeing tOadOpt system
Of uniform rates to carload shippers at
the leading stations on its line. This,
however, turns out to be but ore OF the
difficulties which seem to beset the rail-
way interest, and If we are to judge
FROM some of the charges now being
made against the railroads OF the State
OF New York, We should inter that it
was by no means the most serious one.
The Legislature now I'm session in Al
bany has, in response to repeated COM
plants on the part OF New York merch-
ants that the interests Of that city were
being seriously affected by what is al
legged to be the discriminative policy of
the roads chartered by the State, APP
pointed committee to investigate the
subject, and this committee, at its
first meeting, held few days since,
heard the statements of the representa-
tives of the leading commercial bodies
of the city, such as the Cham
Der OF Commerce, the Board
Of Trade and Transportation, the
Produce Exchange, etc, IA well rs
individual shippers doing business in
the principal cities on the lines OF rail
road, representing all the various
branches Of trade. We gather from the
statements made that the citizens Of
West Virginia are not the only parties
who have felt that they had just grounds
Tor complaint against these powerful
corporations. We have not the time
now to specifically detail the points pre-
sented, but they cover very wide
scope, and if carefully examined, must
necessarily place the whole subject of
railway policy in Il clearer light before
the public than has ever heretofore been
done.
The representative of the Chamber Of
Commerce, Mr.. THURBUR read to the
CO nmittee a paper concluding as fol-
lows:
Upon the thoroughnesS OF yourinve
tigati0n depends in great measure the
commercial and industrial welfare
Of the entire community. IL is
hardly possible to imagine subject of
greater importance, or one which al
iords wider scope for patient statesman
like investigation"
At the request OF the Committee the
complainants indicated what. in their
judgment, ought TO be the scope OF the
Investigation, and among the many
points suggested were the following:
l. The proper relation of the railroad
system 10 the public.
.. Are railroads public highways, and
IL SO, are the principles that govern high
WAYS applicable 10 themG
s. How far do discriminating railroad
transportation charges affect CONNER
cial transportation?
4. How far is the interest OF the pub
Tic consulted, il at all, in the classified
ton and establishment OF rates and the
framing OF tariffs, and with what degree
OF consistency are such tariffs main