The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1888-03-03

1'HE IRISH STAN I).A.l
and the Commissioners declare that
they do not think the results of former
Legislation are such as might have been
attained had the considerable sums
provided been. distributed on different
principles. Amongst The places mem
toned for grants and completion of
works are Rosslare and Fenit, Ciogher
Head, Carrighaholt, Malin Head
Buncrana, and Foynes. Railway
extensions are recommended in
connection with some of the fish
cry piers-for instances, siding
should be laid to the quay at Arklow;
another to convenient point on Dun
garvan Bay; line from Skibbereen to
Baltimore; and the railway at Kinsale
should be brought down to the harbor;
a line from Tralee to Dingle, from Gal.
way to Clifden, and another from Bal
lima to BelmulleJ. The railway at Ban
try should be extended to deep water
quay; q line should be constructed from
Downpatrick to Ardglass, and sidings
should be laid down to the quays at
Skerries and Howth in connection with
the existing lines Of railway. The
Commissioners point out that under the
TramWavs Act, of 1888 the Govern
ment We're prepared to give grant of
$40, 900 a year; Of that sum $4,000 a
year has been absolutely pledged, leav.
ing a balance Of G27 600, equal to a
capitalized SUM of 100000 available,
The Commissioners propose that the
Government should give a direct guar
| antee OF three per cent upon the maxi
mum amount CT the estimate for the
undertakings which they recommend,
and that the district should supplement-
the Government guarantee by Il guar
ante. which should not exceed in any
case maximum of Sd in the pound on
the rat8able value, In case the work.
ing expenses exceeded the receipts, the
deficit should be made good out Of the
district guarantee. In casa the rail-
way worked at d profit, half the profits
would go in relief of the local guarantee
and FOR providing 81 mixing fund.
The report contains strong condem-
nation OF the Railway systems and
management in Ireland. The Commits
sioners say that there is exhibited a
special want Of enterprise and of bust
ness qualities, together With too mar
row view of the railway companies, own
interests. They report against tha state
purchase Of the railways, but they pro-
pose scheme which would centralise
all the railways under an ANAL gamated
and joint management, with an exter
nal controlling authority. They would
call this authority the Irish Railways
Commission. it should consist Of four
members OF known business capacity
who need not necessarily devote ali
their time to the position. There should
be besides one other membsr--a Govern
ment official. a financial schetne for
eHecting the amalgamation is sketched
in the report. The Commissioners think
that the Initiative should come from
the railway companies, the terms to be
fixed by arbitration, and that from three
TO i've years should be allowed for the
voluntary amalgamation, but that Of
forwards the anaaIgamation should be
compulsory. The concluding paragraph
or the report reads as f0iIOWs:-~"
have felt it our duty to recommend that
the State should undertake far larger
responsibility in connection with public
WORKS in ireland than wond be COZ.
sldered proper tn other parts of the
United Kingdom, but our investigations
have convinced us that private capital
will not at tAs present tins be forth
coming for the execution of such under
takings without the help of the State,
and that unless this be given it Cannot
be expected that tne works we propose,
all Of which are Of Importance, will be
executed"
1t is unnecessary for US to add that
the report, which we have imperfectly
sketched, is most i'm portant one. 1t
is the second report Of this Royal Com
The first, which related to
drainage, Was presented last year.
Whether we consider the first part of
the report now under consideration
the part OH deep sea fisheries,
che second Oh railway extensions, or
the third on railway management, the
interest aud Importance of the docu-
menb cannot be over estimated.
'PINAFORn" SMITHS NEW RULES.
In the House of Commons last Mon
day, Mr.. Smith moved the adoption of
a rula enabling the sneaker to order