Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-12-17
A FEW MONTHS LEGITIMATE COM
PETITION IN RAILROAD TRAFFIC.

The persistcncy with which the lead
ing railroad companies hold out against
any agreement upon an increase of rates
is without precedent.
1t looks like We were really about to
have genuine, established railroad COM
petition.
We hOpe'it may be 80. We hope the
ubiquitous pool system is done for. We
hope it has been sufficiently demOnstra-
ted for even the railroad companies to
see il, that the pool system is not only
a fraud upon their patrons but one
that reacts to the damage of the rail-
road companies themselves. We hope
it has been sufficiently demonstrated
that the people are not only entitled to
the benefits of legitimate competition
between railroad companies, but that
railroad companies can afford to grant
it.
And it has been so demonstrated.
1t has been demonstrated within the
past few months that those trunk lines
have most largely increased their traffic
which have most largely reduced their
rates and that the net increase in their
receipts has more than offset the reduc-
ton in their rates.
This is the whole matter in sentence.
1t ought to satisfy the railroads, and it
has satisfied the people. 1t has so COM
pletely silenced the clamOr against eX-
tortion that it is doubtful if any effort
will be made in Congress for regulating
them. Competition has regulated them.
The only law we need is to compel adj
herence to legitimate competition and
to smash every ''pOOP that is attempt
ell, as a fraud upon the people.
The beneficent results of a few months
legitimate competition can hardly fail
to be appreciated by even the casual
observer.
The reports of the different railroad
companies themselves set forth the fact
that the increase in the freight traffic
between the East and West has nearly
doubled. Even JOHN w. GARRETT,
who seems to be the most tenacious
stickler for a pool, rendered report to
his company showing the highest degree
of prosperity in the history of that road.
The average reduction in the rates for
freight over the New York roads has
been AZ per cent, and yet notwithstand-
| ing this great reduction in the charge
for carrying, the receipts for carrying
| have increased. This Is due partly to
| the growth of the country, the extep-
sion of settlements in the West
and Northwest, and the increase
of farm products sent to New York for
| export; but there is no doubt but that it
is due chiefly to the steady reduction in
ca frying rates.
These facts seem to show very clearly
| that the true interest of railroads lies
in the reduction of rates in freights at
least down to o certain point that has
never vet been reached; for each sue
cessive reductiOnjis followed by an in
crease of traffic which yields n greater
amount of receipts. The passenger
fares have not been reduced in the same
proportion with the freight charges
and this seems to explain why the pas
senger traffic has increased so lit
tie. IL is noticed that the
passenger fares have been reduced six
per cent. and the passenger traffic has
increased 1-2 per cent. and that freight
rates have been reduced II per cent. and
the freight traffic has increased so pei
! cent. in the same period. Railroad
managers are generally resolute in
maintaining passenger rates even on
! their Communication business. But the
intimate connection between reduction
of rates and increased receipts in the
freight business is hint that appears to
suggest the wisdom of different policy