The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-28
THE RAILROAD coMBISAT1oN.

With Jay Gould as the master manager,
q combination Of all the American rail-
roads west of Chicago and st. Louis seems
immin emit. Latest reports represent that
only the signatures of the presidents of
three comparatively unimportant lines are
missing, and it is confidently predicted
that these win affix their signatures within
week. Then, it is surmised, the entire
transcontinental transportation business
will be practically controlled and handled
by one management.
That such an arrangement can be made
to inure to the joint benefit of the corpor-
atoms and their patrons is deemed GER
tain. An army Of ornamental and highly
expensive officials can be dispensed with,
the service can be more perfectly system
atized and greatly cheapened, and stability
of rates can be substituted for its democrat
izing and destructive opposite. Moreover,
with the removal of the spur to the con-
struction of competing lines and feeders,
beyond the traffic requirements of the
put to enormous expenditures on this ac-
count.
The result should be better, and cheaper
and more reliable service, and common
interest in the construction of new lines
and feeders wherever they are needed,
with an assurance of abundant and ever
ready means for making such needed ex-
tensions wherever and whenever they are
needed. If such be the objects and pur-
poses of the combination, the men who
have brought it about will be entitled to,
and will receive, universal and hearty pub
lie commentator. They can give more
general, more perfect and cheaper service
with equal or greater profit to themselves,
and if they have brought about and will
faithfully apply the means of doing SO
they will be entitled to high rank as pub
lie benefactors.
But if their object and purpose is purely
selfish, having view to extortion, or
favoritism, or any arbitrary exercise of the
powers thus concentrated, the ultimate re-
suit may prove to be q surprise to the pro-
jectors OF this combination. The benefit
to the public may be more remote, but will
be none the less certain, and perhaps, in
fact most probably, will be far greater. If
these be their selfish purposes, these peo-
pie are unwittingly preparing the way for
great public benefits which could not, or at
least probably would not be SO quickly ac-
complished through any other instru-
mentality.
They will have demonstrated the FEAST
bility and the advantages of great COM
bination, which will at once suggest the
feasibility and greater advantages of one
which would include the entire railroad
transportation business OF the whole coun-
try. And if under private corporate man
agement these agencies, created and char
tered to subserve the public welfare, do
not accomplish that purpose to the fullest
possible extent, or to reasonable extent,
the success of this combination will have
indicated greater combination and sin
gle control which will be primarily and
solely in the interest of the public.
History is full of such examples. 1t has
been thus, time immemorial, that sticklers
for ''the divine right of kings" have in
spired love of freedom. 1t was thus that
the Bourbons paved the way to the French
revolution. 1t was thus that the slave
holders of the South FASTENED the day of
emancipation, which by regular and peace
full means might have been postponed for
centuries. 1t is thus that the Muscovite
despot is blazing short and straight path
to Russian liberty.
And if these combiners force the fight
ing that must lead to government owner
ship and control, in the reckless belief that
they will be compensated foI watered
stock in the event of their compelling the
condemnation of their roads to govern
ment use, they reckon without their host
as wildly as did the Bourbons of France,
or the Southern shareholders, and as
wildly as does the Gear of Russia. They
will get not one silver more than they are
justly and honestly entitled to. 1t is to be
hoped that they will be compelled to take
less. 1t is to be hoped that they
viii not risk that alternative. Bet
ter handle their combination and
execute their tremendous powers in
spirit of hberality, never for a moment
losing sight of the public welfare, for if
they fail in this latter respect the people
will compel their government to come to
their rescue. This is as certain as fate,