The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1883-08-02

Railways--or Of Railways aud water
transportatton-there is no complaint
Of excessive charges. OF the Mis-
sissippi River, and the Bigbce the
latter operating only during high
watcr) Interstate ansportation is
a monopoly, and tins Is nearly as
true Of Interstate transportation
Transportation on what is called
through or trunk lines, is unaffected
by these rivers, Tor in Mississippi
the Railroads do not IntcrSect them
or il they do, each road 81 intersect-
ing has a monopoly of the transpo"-
tation to and from the point of inter
,CLiOn.
fla Just regulation can be ma lie
by which our people shall get tue
benefits of competition, we will &C
complish a great good. think re-
lief will be found in the direction OF
more near equalization of local
. aud through rates. The former arc
always monopoly rates-being fixed
entirely by the interest Of the car
ltl-JuC ldlNCi. ~" ~ =
competitive rates, which are fixed
hy the real cost and value of the
work done, and they are nearly al
ways just what they should he: Gr
would be so, if the competing lines
were not allowed on the one hand g.
recoup their losses sustained in q
war of rates by charging excessive
or monopoly rates on their lOca,
traffic, or on the other to advance
ates from competitive points un
reas 'nably by combinations. There
is no justice in affordiug one commu
nifty extra low rates at the expense
of another community. On its
tacp. it would seem fair and right
that freight on particular article
should be the same per mile on
every part of the line, especially of
lines like those in Mississippi, cost
ing in construction and operation
about the same in their whole length
Yet on a little reflection We Sc that
freight can he carried FIVE hundred
miles at cheaper rate per mile than
for any less distance. The cost OF
loading and unloading is just as
much for a long trip as for a short
trip; and then there is the detention
of local freight trains at the various
depots, and the necessity for freight
stations and agents to accommodate
communities interested in short
hauls. 1t is but just and fair that
compensation should be made for
these in higher rates charged per
mile than on longer hauls. But
when this compensation is made, it
is enough. That much is justice, and
ought to be conceded; more than
this Is injustice, and is an exiortion
from those who cannot help them
selves, and should he prevented b.
law. | favor, therefore, a regulation
BY statute which will make the
through or competitive rates the
standar by which local raLes shall
be fixed, allowing in ad iition a fair
compensation for the extra cost of
short hauls, as above indicated.
The Railroads cannot object to this
with justice, and our people will get
the benefit Of competitive rates in
their internal traffic, over which the
State has undisputed jurisdiction
1t will be said that this traffic is in
significant, and this regulation will
do no good. | answer that, as ]
have conceded, if the Legislature
deems it has power to do more
regulate directly charges on inter
State traffic-let that also be done
for what it is worth. | only mean
to say l will not be responsible, for
its efficiency. / answer further, if
the Internal commerce Of the State
be small, and so remains, the rcgu-
latiOn will do the Railroads no harm,
as it will affect so inco1siderable
portion Of their business; aud such
OF our people as are interested in
that kind Of transportation will be
benefited. If it does not benefit
more, it is because the power of the
State is not sufficient for more ex
tended regulation. But ] anticipate
as an almost certain effect of this
regulation of internal traffic alone,
either that traffic will largely increase
on account of this ,ragu'a ion, or that
shipments to and from the State of
the q and 81 class above noted,
Interstate will be male at very rca-
sonable rates; possibly both Of these
will result. 1'now explain why one
or all these will happen: We have
the Mississippi river on our western
boundry and the Bigbee on the east.
l shall confine my Illustration to
the former, though what is said of
that will fpply to the latter, but in
Il less degree On the Mississippi
river competition is frcn, and if pro-
perly improved by Congress, 1T will
afford the cheapest transportation in
the world. AS things now are we
get little benefit from this river, be
eau in the main the commerce OF
the State has no access to it except
by wagon hauls and Railroat trans
portatoin at high rates. Freight
can't reach it except on such terms
as the Railroads prescribe, and hence
but little goes there. Fix the rates
so that freight can reach the river
f,or, ony naint n tho State at VII a l.