Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1884-07-10

II was surprise to the people Of Los
Angeles to hear, when the new dummy
railroad to Pasadena was projected, that
it was not to be a freight railway except
by special contract. This seemed pecu-
liar to say the least, as the leading spir
its, except Mr.. Judson. in the enterprise,
were New Constitution men, who want
ed freight regulated by law on all lines
of common carriers. But while ii was
very fine to prescribe limits of charges
to Messrs. Stanford & Co., it was not so
fine when applied to themselves. 1t
was very good sauce for the goose, but
the other gender Of the same species did
not want the rule applied to him; and
so we read in the Pasadena and Valley
Union of the 9th inst, the following in
formation:
"Mr. 2. NJ. Green informs us that il
is the intention OF the Dummy Railroad
system to transfer freight, that the pur-
pose Of making it a common carrier was
omitted In the articles Of incorporation,
for the reason that the laws of this
State prohibit charge exceeding fifteen
cents per ton per mile on freight, and
this, OF course, would be inadequate to
pay expenses OF transportation. This
difficulty il obviated in the manner
above stated, aud freight will be han
died on special agreement. =
Now, isn't this charming. The pc o.
pile who were loudest in restricting
freight rates by law, do not like to have
it applied to themselves They do not
like to take their own medicine. They
do not want to be obliged to carry
freight to the Pasadena postofliee, nine
miles, ut Is cents. per mile per ton,
which would amount to Sl.35 per ton,
but want the privilege of making
special contracts at higher rates, and so
dodge the law of their own making.
In answer to this, a reporter Of the
HERALD was yesterday assured by
prominent and responsible teanster, that
he would enter into contract to haul
freight to Pasadena at Is cents'per ton
per mile. Cannot that railway beat
mule? Is muscle superior to brain and
steam power!
To an outsider these peculiar attempts
to evade the laws of the State seem to
have the merit of enterprise if nothing
else. They also show that whoever gets
chance to get living out of the pub
lie, means to get value received for his
services and also takes the liberty Of Sc t..
ting the value on said services.
The rate of 10 cents per ton per mile,
| if applied to the distance between Los
Angeles and San Francisco, 4S2 miles,
would amount to S72 80 per ton, very
comfortable rate, that ought to suit even
dummy railroad company.
Take as medium rate of freight, that
of grain, which is neither the highest
nor the lowest in the schedule, and it
appears that the Southern Pacific Rail
road gets for short distances into and
out Of Los Angeles only ten cents per
ton per mile, while the Dummy Compa-
ny refuse to carry freight at so per cent
higher than that company.
The Pacific Coast Steamship Company
get 81 cents per ton per mile on grain on
their vessels. This rate is probably
aboutone-h half therate which the Dummy
Company desire to obtain. The case is
interesting and shows that when men
become owners Of railroads they expert
ence change Of heart thorough and
complete, and will not need to be put
on probation of six months to be
sure Of permanent change. The
change is solid from the start. and can
always be relied on. Next reformer to
the front,