Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-05-18
PROGRESS OF THE DEBATE ON The
SCIENCE OF TRANSPORTATION


in the latest report Of the Railroad
Commission of New York, among other
subjects discussed, and to some of which
We have already given attention. is that
much-misunderstood one Of pro rata freight
laws. The Commission points out very
clearly that the pro rata principle is a
fallacy, impracticahle in operation and
increases instead of cures wrong. Any ex-
isting through rate, say the Commissioners,
pro rataed over the road would make the
rates on large portion Of the road too low
to pay operating expenses. As an example,
they take the instance Of grain rate from
Buffalo to New Yorll-l3 cents per 100
pounds. Assuming the distance to be $50
miles, this would make the ten-mles rate
about 81 per carload of twenty tons. No
one believes that transportation can be done
even with railroad facilities at any such
figure. "If the rate re started AZ reason
able figure for the first ten miles, It's in
crease to Buffalo on the pro rata principle
would be 50 far beyond present rates as to
drive through business out Of the State,
and to isolate business to the western part
thereof" Yet, with these truths patent
10 the reasoning powers there are those IN
every State who adhere TO some form Of
the pro rata system, As proper to be applied
to the business of transportation I.ooal
shippers, say the New York Commission
ers, aggravated by what they deem to be
an excessive difference against them IL
favor of through freight, sometimes re-
gard pro rata law as wise, even
though it drives ont through business
But The Commission call the attention of
such to the mistake Of their view, by reel
tation Of the fact that every ton Of through
freight carried benefits the local shipper,
whether fhe railroad carrier desires 70 have
it do 50 or not, provided the through
freight be carried al some profit A road
must earn a certain sum 90 pay expenses
and 4 reasonable dividend, and this earn
ing must come from through and local
traffic. If it earns thirty per cent of
the sum on its through freight, then local
business has to pay but seventy per cent. Of
that sum- II, however, it Is compelled to
abandon or lose through business, thcn To-
cal traffic must make up the los, by pay
ing higher rates. 50 the Board, which is
an important debater in the enIightening
discussion OF the science Of transportation
concerning which broader knowledge
and more correct reasoning Is obtaining
among the people Of the United States
declares that pro rata freight laws, like
equal-milese rate laws are Objectionable,
because of their violation, to some extent,
Of inherent principles lying at the basis of
transportation. Such regulations it pro
nounces straightJaotlet,, preventing, per
haps, some positive evil aimed At, but dull
ing the energy and cramping the develop
ment of business, while to some extent
always hampcring legitimate efforts at ex-
pansion. In short, the Board finds that
these truths have impressed themselves
upon the public thought to such an extent
that there is rot in New York any longer
any appreciable public sentiment in oppo-
sition to them. Yet it is but short time
ago that the pro rata and cqual-mileage rate
doctrines we're earnestly advocated