Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-20
The Current Railroad War.


The rapid construction of railroads in this
country and which has been going on for years,
may possibly bring relief from transportation
monopoly and determinations. The increase of
parallel lines naturally causes competition This
competition has been prevented or rather de-
layed. by combinations. through which several
lines of railroad. built with the view of rivalry
would pool and divide their earnings. By this
plan of pooling. railway managers have been en-
abled, as general thing. to maintain such rates
and regulations they chose to establish.
1t stands to reason. however. that the continued
construction OF new roads must in the end break
up this pooling system. Every new road enter
Ilg into combination must have it's share of
the earnings, and naturally. where railroad
building Is constantly going on. there must come
time when there will be too much division for
proht- This time seems to be near at hand.
There mas been, 1t Is true. sharp rivalry between
different lines running from eastern cities to the
great commercial centefS of the west heretofore,
out the managers have, even i'll their cOmpeti-
ton, generally Kept up ali agreement as to rates.
me railroad war now raging between the trunk
lines at New York aud in Western cities looks
as II every company had concluded that it had
better take care of itself and let the others do
likewise. Passenger rates are being cut be-
tween New \ ork. Chicago. St Louis ard other
western cities. and all attempts to get back to
some basis OF agreement have so far failed. 1t
Is alleged in this connection that the Erie and
the Baltimore and Ohio companies have entered
INTO an alliance with the irregular ticket agents
commonly called ''scapers.' with the purpose
OF Gripping their great rivals, the Pennsylva-
MIA Central and the New York Central
No matter how the latter two lines
cut their western rates the ''scalpers' manage
To Keep far enough below them in price to tempt
the large share of custom. 1t is no secret to
those at all familiar with railroad affairs that
there has been more or less quiet cutting of
rates between the east and west for some time
past The ''scalpers" have. as rule been able
To sell tickets over any of the trunk lines at
from one to two dollars less than the established
rate to Cincinnati and points west.
The people of Texas are taking prOnDt steps
to repudate the action of their governor i'm re-
fusing to join with the executives of the other
states in recommending day of Thanksgiving
for the Presidents recovery. Leading newspa-
pers OF the state severely criticise Governor
Roberts for his excessively cautious views about
church and state At mass meeting of people
OF all political parties and religious creeds. held
zens of that place will spend the day set apart
by other states as a day of jubilee and thanks
giving for the Presidents recovery, was adopted.
Other cities of the state were advised to take
similar action. and no doubt such meetings will
be generally held This prompt action of the
people of Texas is Tebuke to the stilted states
rights governor that will be gratifying to the
whole country 1t would mar the national har-
nlOny and unity pf no
Tor any state to refrain from participation in it.
. -
The first annual report of the Baltimore and
Ohio employees relief association has been made
public and shows excellent practical working.
TINS association was organized for the benefit of
the employees of that railroad. the company do
Mating slCoOtD "a an endowment fund and pay
Ing the expenses of operation. The plan is
similar TO that of life insurance but goes further
IN that IT embraces accidents and injuries
During the first year of thir association IA. 439
policies covering membership in the relief
feature were issued. For the first eight months
the Gross receipts were SSS 5i3 26. and the ex-
Pendltures on account of members disabled
We're 81 ,JO:' Ii. During the year 1884 claims
for allowances (for injuries. etc were paid
besides sos bills for surgical and medical attend
snee upon members OF the ASSOCIATION. the total
outlay for these purposes being So, 5so6a.
Don Carlos has promptly obeyed the order of
Punishment and gone from Paris to I.ondon but
he leaves his wife in Paris to superintend the
education OF their children and no doubt keep
him advised of political movements When
France reaches the dignity of true republic
she will learn that orders of Punishment for
political reasons belong exclusively to monarch
les The friends of France who rejoice i'm her
progress and prosperity cannot find anv cause
for qualification in this act of hers France
should hold herself above the petty intrirues
and ambitions of quarreling relatives over a
throne.
Judge Black prefaces his reply to Col Bob
Ingersoll with the quotation, ''Gratano speaks
an infinite deal of nothing" etc. and then the
Judge covers twenty-four pages Of the North
American Review" in replying to this infinite
deal of nothing" Mr.. Black makes a pretty
vigorous reply TO the eloquent pagan, but rather
diminishes the effect of his argument by under
rating his adversary in the start
The railroads are taking in more money and
making more profit this year than last. For the
first half OF 1881 forty -four western and southern
railroads report an aggregate increase of S12.-
49l ,16l in gross earnings over the same period
OF last year. OF the forty-four only eight report
decrease Of earnings as compared with last
gest Increase was by the Central Pacific, and