The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-04-20
HIGH AND LOW LOCAL RATES.

The iteration of the anti-railroad and
Traffic Association influences in San
Francisco is that local rates on railway
lines in California are too high. The
basis of the charge rests upon a COMPARE
son made with rates for selected dis
tances and lines at the East. Upon the
strength of this complaint against local
rates is grounded the high sounding plea
that San Francisco is more than solicit
Gus to benefit the interior by securing a
reduction of freight rates between that
city and interior points, and thus enable
the producer to ship to San Francisco
more cheaply and receive supplies from
San Francisco at lessened cost for haul
ing.
There has been at no time any intima-
ton on the part Of San Francisco that the
supply price made by her would be cor
respondingly reduced if a reduction of
through rates were achieved. What San
Francisco wants, in short, is not so
broaden the margin of her own profits.
But there are vital considerations in the
matter Of comparing local rates upon
Eastern roads with those upon California
roads, which are not only never referred
to by the San Francisco agitators, but are
carefully and studiously avoided. Some
which IN h. =; =.
typographical and geographical condi-
tons; the difference in the volume of
traffic, the density of population and vol
ume of production, and finally, the differ
ence in the cost of operation and main
tenance.
In every Eastern case cited for compar-
ison by the agitators there are widely
different conditions from those obtaining
in California. Our population is in the
strongest instances scarcely more than
one-third or one-fifth that of the selected
districts to the square mile. The vol
ume OF the traffic and of production is
very much greater than here, and
less intermittent. The cost of operation
is in the East at the minimum compared
with the extraordinary here, and so on.
as to other factors essential to correct
judgment
If we take the difference in the cost of
coal in California and at the East and
subtract that single item from the rate.
we have result that surprises the inves-
tigator. From the rate take the cost of
fuel and other material necessary in Cali
fornia to railway operation, and the local
rates will be found to be about as low as
in the most favored locality at the East.
We understand the holding of the rail-
way managers Of California to be that the
local freight and passenger rates are pro-
portionately as low here as at the East.
Nor has there been any attempt made by
the Traffic Association or its willy man
ager to refute this claim or 10 prove it
unsound. AS matter of fact, dogmatic.
abstract and bald comparisons have been
made with all local conditions stripped
from them.
Plainly this is not only vulgar in argu-
ment, but dishonest. The sensible man.
if given two schedules for like distances
in widely separated districts, will not do
himself the injustice to compare them
without informing himself concerning
the conditions under which they are
erected. Before he judges he will wish
to know if both schedules are subject to
the same charges of cost, the same bur
dens and obstacles. and if both enjoy the
same privileges and benefits in the
amount, character and steadiness of
traffic.
These are questions that in no single
instance have been presented by the San
Francisco agitators They presume
greatly upon the gulIibility of the people
if they imagine that intelligent men will
commit themselves to Judgment upon
comparisons on any such unjust and in
complete statements as have been thus
far submitted.
,ITDGEn nv HEP