The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1884-09-18


From the New York Nation
In his former treatise Mr.. Atkinson
showed that the forces OF competitor
were much more effective for the regu-
latiOn of railroads and the reduction OF
their charges than legislative bodies or
anti-mcnopolY conventions could posi-
bly, be-that these forces had reduced
the cost of transporting the principal
products OF the country along the chief
highways Of trade about 80 per cent in
ten years, so that the astonishing result
was reached that the grain and meat
needed Tor one years substance of one
person were moved 1000 miles for q
sum equal to one days wages to a
common laboFer. In other words, the
operative on the Atlantic seaboard was as
well placed as regards food supply as an
operative in Iowa would be who al
lowed himself one extra holiday in the
year. 1t was shown, also, that if the
same rates had been charged by the rail-
roads In 1880 that were charged in 1870,
their earnings would have been from
$500. OOO, 900 to $500. OO0. coo greater than
they actually were In the year 1880.
The progress OF development during
the past four years has only intensified
the downward course ofrai;way charges.
Railway mileage and railway service
have increased during this period
40 per cent, while agricul.
tural products have not increased more
than 10 per cent, and miscellaneous
merchandise not more than 10 per cent.
population during the same time has
increased through immigration and ma
tural growth perhaps "A per cent. In
the whole country the present rate of in
crease may be taken at 1000, 600 per an
mum. The Average decline in rates of
transportation during the four years has
been about 3 per cents, or since 1859
nearly GO per cent. Mr. Atkinson's
figures per ten-mile for 1869 are 2.446
Tor 1888, 0S75. These figures are those
of all railroads IN the State of Ohio for
local and through traits. The actual
rates in Ohio are probably lower than
the average of the whole country, but
the ratio OF decline ID rates is presumed
to be not essentially different from that
OF other states and territories where the
progress of railway construction has
been quite as active.
Mr.. Atkinson's conclusion is that rail-
way rates are now as low as they can be
made constantly with any profit what.
ever on the capital invested, and that q
considerable share of the mileage now
IN operation can yield nothing about
running expenses until the population
shall have increased IN the ratio of the
increase of mileage. Constitution, ex
cepts in the case of cross lines and local
roads, must cease.
From 1860 to 1880 one line after an
other was added to the great through
lines from east to west; slowly but
surely, down to 1880, the railway mile
age gained little upon the grain crop,
the slight excess representing nothing
more than the necessary crossroads and
side-lines. The markets of the world
also Kept even pace; the increasing sup
ply OF grain and meat was met by in
creasing demand, down to 1880 inclu-
sive. In 1869 thirteen tons of produce,
already listed, were worth in gold in the
city OF New York, $632 68; In 1880, the
same quantities we're worth 1851 80.
But in 1880. the increase of de-
mand eliminated, exports have
fallen of about as fast as the home de-
mand has increased; yet the same guam
titles OF the same articles are worth ST
this time June 10, 1885 $621.75. or less
than two per cent reduction. Observe,
however, with only five per cent Increase
ia the crop of grain since 1880, we have
more than forty per cent increase in the
railway mileage in the last four years
We have two through lines where one is
needed, and the end OF speculation is
therefore plainly to be seen. We have
passed through the period of railroad
inception, and of detached sections
or lines; through the period
of consolidation, through the period of
needed extension, through the period of
the speculative promotion of useless par
allel lines by means OF construction COM
panies; and we have now at last reached
the period of adjustment to wholesale
conditions, and of construction limited
to the necessity for crossroads, side
lines, and special or local roads for the
use of small districts. Even this latter
deed will probably require this year
1000, afterward 5000 to 5000 miles, to
be added to our mileage every year.