The National tribune., 1890-08-07
NATIONAL TRIBUNE WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY AUGUST
PASSENGER RATES ONE CENT A MILE.

Lib NAHUM All hindu N
PASSENGER RATES ONE CENT A MILE.
! The movement for an immediate and rad
zeal reduction in passenger rates all over the
country should begin at once and every
where. Nor should there he an abatement
of the agitation so long as any railroad pre-
sumes to charge more than one cent mile
for carrying passenger any distance. Any
thing beyond that is extortion-is robbery
of the community.
In European countries, no more densely
populated than our States east of the Mis-
souri, the railroads have found livery profit
able TO carry passengers at much less than
one cent mile, and il will he the same in
this country. Railroads are built much more
cheaply here than there, Two great ele-
ments of on-cost-right of way,
and ties-Rre much cheaper here than in
Europe Excavations. rails, rolling-st0ck,
and equipment are not much higher, while
fuel is much cheaper here than in any place
in Europe outside of England
But were every item in the cost of build
ing and running railroads higher than
abroad il still would not alter the general
fact that our roads can afford to transport
passengers fully as cheaply as those of
Europe The profits of business always de-
pend upon the amount that can he done
with the same amount of plant The rail-
way plant required to carry 100 passengers a
day is exactly the same as for 1000 passen-
gers. The same expensive roadway must be
constructed and maintained the same sta
tons must be provided, the same engines,
and nearly the same cars; the same staff of
engineers, conductors, station agents, tele-
graphers, superintendent, etc, must be en-
poyed and paid the same salaries.
We are much greater travellers than the
Europeans the same number of people in a
community furnishing from two to five
times as many passengers per annum as the
average across the Atlantic Our railroads
carry over 50O0OO,0O0 passengers year,
making an average ofbetween eight and nine
trips per year for every man, woman and
child in the country. The average in Hun
gary is but one trip per year per head of
population; but two in Austria and but I'VE
in Germany.
If the maximum fare in this country were
but one cent a mile for short distances, with
proper reduction for long trips, the num-
Der of passengers carried would be quadrupled
Mt least, the railroads would make a great
deal more money, and the pleasure, enter
prise, and progress Of the people would be
immensely promoted
We urge that the people take hold Of this
matter at once, and discuss il with earnest
ness. Let them plant themselves on this
simple, easily-comprehended platform:
l. National regulation of fares on all rail-
roads in the country, without regard to State
lines or charters, the conditions of which are
rePugnant to public policy.
2. Auniform passenger rate, not exceeding
one cent a mile for short distances, with
reductions in proportion TO the length of
trip.
3. Tickets good on any railroad, for the
number Of miles specified on their face, aud
good until used, TO be on sale at places con-
venent to the public.
This is a thoroughly practical reform, and
we invite discussion of it. We are aware
of the Constitutional and other objections
that will be urged. but they are fallacious,
and we shall be glad 10 demonstrate this if
those who hold them win present them to
us.
If the people will take up this matter
now and unite upon IT, Congress can be
brought to the passage of a law embodying
the reform within two years from date
Let the agitation be begun by the forma-
tion of 0ne-cent -a-mile- fare Associations for
pushing the reform.