Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-10-02
The PACING Railroads.

Ii was hoped that when the Northern
Pacific Railway Vas completed there
would De competition between that road
and the other Pacific roads. The eXOrDi-
tant freight and passenger rates Of the
Union and Central Pacific were a source
Of constant complaint. No relief was eN-
pected when the Southern Pacific "ss
completed because that road was punt
out Of the earnings Oftbe Central Pacihci
and i Owned ~ that reed. II was, now
ever expected that the Northern Pacinc
v-o-,15 force the Pacific roads
n reduce their rates. Il mad no conner
zion with them a. far a. anybody knew.
and no reason was known 10 exist why 1t
should consult them in fixing it, rates.
what has happened: 4 combination has
feen formed - that the public are n re-
,-eive no benefits from 4 third line across
the continent. The rates are 50 arranged
that the Northern Pacific can land pas
sengers and freight At san Francisco
from the Atlantic coast AT the same
cost that the other Pacific roads
can land them, and the other
Pacific roads can put their freight and
passengers IN Portland, Oregon a. cheap
Is as the Northern Pacific can II l. DIM
cult Ia see what benefit the Northern Pa
sific. derives from this arrangement. There
L. no reason why business should desert
tho old roads for the new unless some adj
vantage T. ~ be gained. The old
Pacific roads viii receive all the
benefits Of the combination because
they will not only keep up their eXOTbI-
tant rates. but they viii retain their bus
mess. The Northern Pacific will have 10
depend on its way business, which can
not be- large until the country becomes
settled. The settlement Of the country is
a matter Of wears. Here is an OppOrtn-
uItv for Congress 10 do the country "A real
service All these Pacific railways are
being operated under national charters.
These charters can De modified and
amended. let Congress amend the char
tiers so a. to provide what rates shall be-
charged for both through and way pas
: senger and freight traffic. These great
corporations are rich, and no doubt have
influential friends in both branches Of
Congress. The only way to get legisla-
ton Of this kind is 10 make the amending
Of the charters AN issue. The press and
the people will sustain the party that I'M
dertakese 10 force these great, rich cor
porations to do what is right
/ by the public. The fact seems to be for
gotten that the government gave the
Union and Central Pacific roads millions
in bonds and millions more in lands.
Land was given 10 the Northern Pacific
which will. in time, bring that corpora
ton more than the cost Of the road. The
Southern Pacific, as already stated. was
/ built out of the earnings Of the Central
/ Pacific. but that road is now asking for a
Grant of land in Arizona, New
Mexico, and southern California, con
/ tanning nearly lS,OOO,OOO acres. OF course
/ these gigantic corporations viii take all
they can get, aud they can get good deal
because of their wealth aud influence.
From this time. however, the pressure
on Congress for legislation, limiting the
charges ri these Pacific roads, will de-
come stronger every year. The people.
after furnishing the money 10 build these
roads VIII not submit TO he robbed by
them. II men now in Congress are too
weak to do what is required of them, they
will have To step out for those who are
stronger.