The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1880-12-09
RAILWAY CONTROL.

II is said that an increase of five cents
per bushel in the cost of carrying grain
between Chicago and New York a mat.
ter depending absolutely upon the will
of two or three men controlling the
trunk lines, is equal to tax of $40 ,0O,-
900 upon the agricultural productions
of the West.
II such vast power were lodged in the
hands of these men by act of Z ,ngress.
there would be such storm OF indig-
nant protest on the part of the people
ms would sweep the grantors of such
tremendous paivilcgcs from their pia-
ces.
With all this however, it is by NO
means a pleasant reflection that the
commerce of a great city and the car
ryjng trade of a vast section OF country
is in the absolute control OF three OF
four men, pledged by tacit under
standing with their respective corpora.
tons to make the wants of the com
munity second to the advantage Of their
own companies. Every interest which
10 national in ITS character md impor.
lance should be governed by spirit
which looks at the public good as the
primary object to be obtained. This
need not necessarily conflict with tho
fair and due consideration of private
interests, and there is no reason why in
telligent government control ofour great
line of Interstate railway should inter
fere with their profitable management
Indeed. macy of the managers of these
arteries of commerce hrve expressed
their desire for Congressional lcgisla
ton which should supersedc the embar
RAISING enactments of half doZeT
States, and which being general in it,
character, and the fruit of intelligent
study and experience, will relieve botl
the railroads and the public.
Ii is quite evident that this question
and others of kindred nature, viii soon
come to the front and lay claim to the
earnest attention of tho people. The rail
ing magnitude never dreamed of few
years ago. Vast combinations are be.
ing made bcgetting interests and influ.
cncc that extend in their various rami.
fications from one end of the land ia
the other. Is a compliment to the pub.
lie spirit and broad comprehension OF
the present managers of these immense
lines Of railway that they have been 50
prudent in their conduct, and SO fair in
their treatment Of the public rs cause
SO little ground for complaint. But the
tremendous power welded becomes
more dangerous because used. thus far
in manner well nigh Objectionable 70.
il is thus that it may gain fOOthOld
from which il cannot be disloged, even
when dislodgment becomes necessary
A halfdozen men with millions OF
money and hundreds of thousands OF
DEFENDANTS or co-workers scattered
through the land may accomplish wont
ders in the legislation and government.
Of n country. Welded by unscrupu.
lous men such powers become stand.
ing menace TO a government of and for
the people, and the future may not nj.
ways furnish managers who are pa.
triotic rs well as sagacious. This ques-
ticn therefore, becomes one of the first
importance, and must present itself for
exhaustive discussion and action at M
early day. 1t is tobc hoped that con-
ference Of the prominent railway men
of the country, and the various commit
tees Of Congress and Others having
this matter under Amusement may be
held soon and some understanding ar
rived ut that viii be satisfactory to all
parties concerned.