Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-08-01
REDUCTION OF RAILROAD WORKING
FORCES ON THIS COAST.

REDUCTION OF RAILROAD WORKING
FORCES ON THIS COAST.
We have said that the result of the I'M
fair and-under present conditions
sistible competition of the Canadian Pa
citic Railroad with the American trans
continental lines must result as unfayora-
bly, to the cities and towns of the interior
as upon the termini. We believe that
that was too mild statement. The effect
upon way places will be more serious than
upon the commercial marts of the sea
coast.
For it is inevitable if the through
traffic is, to any great extent, stripped
from the American roads, and they are
still TO be operated, that they must draw
their maintenance from charges laid upon
the local or way traffic. Under present
conditions railroad crossing the CONT
nent, and fairly sharing the through traf-
tic with its legitimate competitors, is able
TO operate, as to way traffic, at much les
local charge than if the road were depend
ent upon that way traffic alone. This
proposition is too selfevident to demand
another word of explanation
As capital Is, by the nature of things,
self-protective and fees in the face of as
sault, it is not at all surprising that with
the threat of continued unfair competi-
ton by an alien road, home road should
exercise the caution that retrenchment
always represents. Take the Central Pa
cific Railroad as an example: threatened
with the competition of the Canadian Pa
citic Railway upon lines and under condi-
lions that previously handicap the Ameri-
can road and give its rival much
the advantage that a wrestler has over
his opponent whose hands are bound be-
hind his back, it is not at all matter to
be wondered at that the operators of the
road should limit its output with a view to
bring its operating expenses and construc-
ton and repair accounts to a low minimum.
The same rule of action that would be
manifest in the conduct of private bust
ness must be expected to apply to the
policy of a corporation. We witness,
therefore, the premonitory signs of eau
ton and preparation in the reduction of
the working forces in the railroad machine
shops in this city. Whoever reflects upon
the situation must become convinced that
the operators of the road are simply doing
that which under like conditions any
business man would do-continuing with
lessened expense account until freed from
the embarrassment and of a threat to d.
vide his business with another without en-
larging his field of operation
Communities that have long leaned to
any considerable extent upon great manu-
featuring industries are very apt to fall
into the attitude of dependence, without
due thought of the possible contingency
that the industry may be subjected to con-
dltIons necessitating serious limitation of
activity. Commercial history and INDUS
trial annals are full of instances of this
nature. Great industries have before this
been, by ordinary caution, compelled TO
reduce their working forces, and, strange
as it may seem, it is nevertheless true that
the communities affected are very apt to
visit reproaches upon them for that which,
in private conduct of business, would be
applauded. In this age we have come to
look upon corporate processes as the best
and well nigh the only feasible ones for
the conduct of great enterprises, and at
the same time to hold these useful aggre-
cations of capital bound to different and
more stringent rule Of business action than
that which controls in private business
conduct.
There is not probably any community
upon the coast better informed upon this
subject Of alien competition with Ameri-
can roads, that is now having so much of
public attention, than Sacramento. 1t has
had such close relation so many years with
the industrial activity of great railway
corporation that the people have. it may
be said, become familiar with the condi-
tion of the business vitality of the road,
by reason of the pulse-beat through It's
principal mechanical works. 1t is read
ing and thinking and conservative
community, and reasons from cause TO
effect nationally. 1t thus happens that in
Sacramento the discharge of large num-
Der of workmen from the railroad shops is
attributed with uniform accuracy to the
true reason-that Of economic caution.
Hence it is that there is notable excep-
ton to the tendency referred to, and no
reproaches are visited upon the railroad
operators for action that the people well
understand is for the best interests, not
only OF the road, but of the whole State
and the American coast.
1t will he profitable to very briefly COM
pare the two great agencies of commerce
that are engaged in this gigantic struggle.
one of The natural results of which is the
reduction of industrial activity in Sacra-
mento this summer. The American roads
were aided by the Government, hut the
latter is demanding the return of It's adj
vances 10 most part and requiring that
stated sum of the earnings shall he paid
into the National Treasury in advance of