Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-20
Railroad Legislation.

WThe discussion Of the Reagan inter-
state commerce bill in the House, aud the
CuIIom interstate commerce bill in the
Senate shows that there are many Con-
gressmen who Aave exceedingly crude
ideas respecting questions involved in the
management Of railroads.
Some Of the speeches, and not a Jew Of
the amendments offered to the bills, indi-
Gated pretty clearly that there is need tor
further information before there can be
legislation that will accomplish the end
aimed at.
The amendment that was offered in the
Senate TO prohibit a greater charge for
short than for a long haul. is pretty fair
sample Of some Of the amendments that
were offered TO the Reagan and the Gull
lon bills.
In a sentence Mr.. Ingalls, showed that
to prohibit a greater charge for a short
than for a long haul would simply be
forcing the railroads to increase their
charges for long haul. Mr.. Brown, who
is thoroughly well posted in railroad
transportation, pointed out that railroad
could haul a ton Of freight, for much less
per mile a thousand miles than fifty miles.
The effect Of the amendment would have
been TO have placed a heavy burden on
long distance shippers, or to have forced
the carrying of short distance freight at
less than cost.
The amendment offered with respect to
pooling and the speeches in support Of 1t
showed the same lack Of information with
regard to the subject matter Of the amend
ment. There are undoubtedly objections,
and very grave ones, TO the pooling sys-
TEN, but the system is a remedy for very
serious evils. 1t was not adopted will
ingly by the railroads. 1t was forced
on them. Without it not only could there
not be honest competition between mer-
chants Of the same city, but there could
not be honest competition between differ
ent centres of trade. Gradually weak
roads would be forced into bankruptcy
and would become parts of great mOnopO-
lies. Eventually all the roads of the
country would be in the hands of few
monopOlies, which would make rates to
suit themselves.
Notwithstanding the pooling system
| there has been for years gradual reduc-
! ton in rates. The annual average freight
per ton per mile on 10 of the leading
| trunk lines OF the country in 1868 was
| >. f53 cents. in 1873 il was 1868 cents, and
| in 1888 it was 1.055 cents. In II years the
reduction was over One-half. This reduc-
ton was the result of new economies,
| improved facilities and competition. The
reduction is still going on. The next
| u years will not, Of course, show such a
reduction as the last -, but there is rea-
son to expect very marked reduction.
In 1868 il cost 24.54 cents to get bushel
of wheat from Chicago to New York 10y
lake and canal, and 42.6 cents by rail.
In 1884 it cost $50 cents by lake and ca
nal. and Is cents by rail. In sixteen
wears the reduction has been marvellous.
The Western farmer now gets 20 cents
per bushel more for his wheat than he did
sixteen years ago, provided it is trans
ported BY rail and the price of wheat is
| the me now that it was then.
As great as is the demand for legisla-
ton regulating rates and preventing dis
examinations and pooling, is it not ques-
ton. when the rates for series Of years
are examined. whether competition and
other things will not do more for the peO-
pie in such matters than laws?