Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-10-03
BUCHANAN'S LETTER.
HE DISCUSSES SUBJECTS WHICH
ARE OF INTEREST TO LABOR.

workingmen's Trains and Low Rates OF
Fare-Editor Walkers Warning to PIu-
tocracy-An Old Trick of the Capital
istio Editor-Labor MiIitiamen.
The New York Mail and Express is agi.
tating for cheap "workingmens trains
to the Columbian exposition from all
parts Of the country. The paper claims
that the railroads can prepare special
equipment for this service and carry
passengers at the rate of two dollars
each for the round trip from any point
in the United States and still make big
money on the transaction. In addition
to providing an opportunity for working
people Of limited means to see the Chi
cago show, The Mail and Express claims
that the taste for travel will be so large
ly cultivated in classes which have been
heretofore stay at homes that a per-
manent boom will be given to the pas
senger business of the railways. Whether
or not the low Worlds fair rate sug-
gested is to become a part Of the per-
manent boom is not stated
While the proposition of The Mail and
Express may strike some who have not
investigated the subject as foolish, and
while 1t may not get the support it is
entitled to, but be finally dismissed as
one of Colonel Shepard's absurdities,
there is sound business sense in it. And
the close connection the colonel has
with some of the railroad kings of the
country would seem to indicate that the
project is not looked upon by the trans
portatiol barons as one calculated in it
self to damage the interests of the hold
ers of railroad securities But the great
est impeachment to carrying out the plan
lies in the evidence its success would
furnish that the railroad system of the
country is at present badly managed;
that great loss results therefrom, and
that society and not the stockholders pays
the losses.
The Mail and Express proves by care
fully compiled estimates of expenses
and incomes that the railroads can make
large profit at the two dollar rate pro-
posed, and one is prone to ask, Why, then,
is it that the fare now charged from
New York, for instance, to Chicago and
return is something like forty dollars?
What becomes of the thirty y-eight dollars?
is natural question when we are told
that the most successful railroads pay
only small percentage of profit, and
that many of them are constantly losing
money. Colonel Shepard has discovered
that the secret of what might be and
what is done by the railroads is found in
the empty or only partially filled trains
which are operated. He sees the wasted
force which is characteristic of the
present method of conducting railways.
1t costs but trifle more, comparatively,
to take car with sixty persons in it
from New York to Chicago than to take
the same car with only one occupant.
Then, under the colonel's plan, comes
the inducement for hundred persons
to travel where now ninety-nine of them
stay at home. OF course this only re-
lates to the Columbian exposition, but
If under such conditions passengers can
be carried at such an enormous reduc-
tion, why cannot the conditions, to a
large extent, be continued If a coach
load of passengers (sixty persons) can be
taken from New York to Chicago and
return for $120 and neat profit made
on the transaction during the fair, it
can be done after the fair. That pas
senger rates on the railways are out of
all proportion to the cost of transporta-
ton under wise management is patent
to all who have Investigated the subject.
Empty cars and idle equipment are not
all of the dead wood" carried by the
railways-not one-half Of it. But the
subject is too large for discussion in this
letter, and there is mountain of itera-
ture concerning it for those who wish
to understand the matter fully. The
solution lies in the direction of govern
ment ownership, and the agitation for
cheap trains to the Chicago fair, if car
ried to its logical conclusion, will fur
nish strong argument for that plan.
Therefore it is not likely that Colonel
Shepard will receive the support of
many railroad magnates in his under
taking.
I note with pleasure that the number
of well to do persons who are honest
enough and have the courage to come
out in defense of the rights Of labor is
rapidly increasing. Homestead, Buffalo
and Coal Creek troubles have drawn
from many wealthy and influential citi-
zens, who had hitherto remained silent
and been counted against the people,
warm expressions Of sympathy for the
cause of the workingman and unequivo-
cal condemnation Of the methods en-
ployed by capitalism to crush the spirit
of American citizens. Strikes, no mat
ter If they are wholly lost, no matter if
they cause rioting and even destruction
OF life and property, must result In ul-
innate benefit to civilization if they
arouse to thought and action men who
by their natural and acquired qualities
can render inestimable service to the
cause Of progress.
Hundreds of such men have been
aroused by the recent explosions in the
industrial world who would have gone