Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-03-25

States, where, indeed, the postoffice
Itself, pure and simple, is reasonably
efficient considering the slipshod
and baTbarous eivil-service system,
but where the public Is at the mercy
Of two great and greedy monopOlies
for the telegraph and telephone
service, which have become as
essentially q part OF public inter-
course As the carrying OF the mails,
and are just as properly a legitim-
ate function Of the government as
Germany wisely recognizes.
A like increased efficiency Of
service has followed the resumption
Of the cOatrol Of the railways by the
Prussian government. A prom
inent business man Of Berlin
told me that he had originally
been strongly opposed to govern
ment ownership of the railways,
but he now saw that 1t was the btst
thing that could have happened.
The public convenience had been
vastly increased by better and more
frequent train service, cheaper rates,
anu the avoidance OF the ruinous
competition Of private corporations,
while every diminutiOn Of the evils
Of stock gambling, such as was Oc-
easioned by the withdrawal Of the
railway element from the market,
was a direct benefit TO legitimate
business and the public at large.
In the great cities the stations are
mostly on a grand sale and Of
beautiful architectural designs, ex-
pressing the character Of the build-
ing. In England, under private
control, the railway stations are al
most universally mere sheds, differ
ing only in magnitude, with hardly
a rudiment Of artistic design, and
little attention paid to the comfort OF
passengers, while their sides are 50
plastered with advertising that,
when a train stops at way-statIon,
it IS with great difficulty that a
stranger can detect the name Of the
place.
The Stadtbahn, or city railway, In
Berlin is Z great convenience. Ii is
an elevating railway traversing the
city from east TO west, and connect
ing with the Rihgbahn, or belt rail
way, that surrounds the city. Both
belong to the Prussian government,
and are Of great military value, en-
abling the saving Of two or three
days in the mobilization OF troops
and their rapid transportation
through the city in case OF need
Tho Stadthahn is built upon sub
stantial brick arches throughout IL
length, and instead of occupying th'
streets at the expense Of the abutters
as In New York, the right Of way
was purchased for il anu the builu
ings were demolished 10 make room
for IL. The stations are elaborate
and handsome affairs, with archinl
roofs. There are four tracks, TIVE
for local and two for through traffic
and all express trains from distan
cities are brought into one gran,
central station at the Frederick
strasse, in the heart Of the city. Tn
hackman nuisance, CONNIE n 10 on
railway terminals, Il Obviated l.!
having an official stationed at tn,
exits from the station, from WHOM
passengers receive a cneck FOR cab
finding the corresponding humble
waiting on the street. The railwa,
also provides porters 70 take on, am
bring In the baggage, receiving 1
nOderate and stated fec for thei
service.
The street railway system il ex
cellent. 1t is all in the hands o
one great company, as in Mexico
and the cas- thread the streets il
every direction, gliding smoothly
and rapidly over the rails groove
in the centre and jointed diagonally
offering no obstacle 10 the traffic o
wagons and carriages. The car
only stop ut stated points, indicated
by little sign at the edge Of tn
sidewalk. The movement Of car
Is thus materially accelerated, a.,
20 accustomed Is the pubic 10 thi
arrangement that even ladies VIII
wish 10 get oil at n point where tn,
car does not stop often skip lightly
Off While it is in motion. There j
also an omnibus company doing .
large business. Many OF its vehi
Giles are very similar TO street cars il
construction, with large platform
behind, and with wheels hardly
larger than those Of the cars. The!
move more smoothly over the rs
MeJIcdH FtRdmcier.