The record-union., 1893-01-12
TRANSPORTATION.
The Rates Affected by Various
Causes.
influence of Physical and Local Condi-
tions-Opinions of an Eminent Ex-
pert Summary of a thoughtful
State Paper.
Isan Francisco Chronicle, January 1st.

lSan Francisco Chronicle, January 1stl
The following communication on the
general subject of transportation ably pre-
sents the view entertained by those who
believe that the rates of freights and fares
charged by the Pacific railroad systems
are not in excess of the rates which should
be charged. The communication is in fact
a condensed synopsis of the report of the
expert, Richard Price Morgan, employed
by the Railroad Commissioners to furnish
expert opinion upon the general subject
of the reasonableness of rates Of transpor-
tation upon this coast. The abridgement
presents in condensed form the views
and opinions submitted by Expert Nor
gan, and the opinions and conclusions
contained therein are those of the writer
based upon the report presented to the
State Railroad Commissioners by Mr..
Morgan.
The report Of Colonel Richard p. Nor
gan, the expert employed by the Board of
Railroad commissioners to ascertain
whether the fare and rate schedules of the
various railroads OF the State permitted
by the governing board were just and
reasonable or otherwise, has been sub
mitted and is before the public for ap-
prcval or disapproval.
AS the language of experts on all eco
nomic or scientific subjects is that of the
expert solely, it may not be out of place
or inappropriate to review it in everyday
English, that the true meaning and sig
niticanca may be presented to the COM
prehension OF those mostly interested
the producer and the carrier.
Under the head Of Physical Character
istics of California; Colonel Morgan
shows that out OF territory of 156, 900
square miles over which the railroads are
constructed only 80 per cent, or $4,000
| squire miles, of this vast area are capable
Of being made productive and furnish
traffic of any importance. Fully 80 per
cent. of the mileage Of the roads runs
through territory that is proftless di-
rectly; yet this mileage is absolutely nee
essary to make profitable the mileage
which traverses the productive portion OF
| the State. "Of the 4 400 miles of road op-
Grated within the state little or no traffic
arises on nearly 20 per cent. of that mile
age"
In connection with this branch of
| Colonel Morgan's report it is necessary
to refer to the gradients and attitudes
which are found to exist on the roads Of
! the Southern Pacific system in this State.
In distance of 5l5 miles there is verti-
cal rise of e, 500 feet. or five and four-fifths
vertical miles. In other words, that all
trains traversing this mileage must OF
| necessity be raised and lowered five and
! four-fifths miles in each direction in order
to secure the benefits derivable from
profitable districts and connections.
Hence, when comparisons are insti-
/ tuted, as for example those promulgated
! by the san Francisco Traffic Association,
/ between the rates in Kansas-which is a
| vast prairie-with rates i'll California,
/ where average conditions are not at ali
| similar, the comparison is entirely unfair
! If, instead of Kansas, we take Colorado
where conditions are more nearly sini-
| lar, and which is 1900 miles nearer the
great markets Of the world, the compari-
/ sons would not be unfavorable to Caiifor-
| MIA.
AN IMPORTANT FACT.
/ A fact of great Importance should not
/ be overlooked by shippers and producers
in California. 1t is found that the element
/ Of navigable water, free TO all. affects the
! rates on local commerce to the extent of
I 70 per cent. thereof. These waters are
! open to free navigation for any one who
! desires to engage in that line OF business.
/ Fifteen hundred miles of coast and inland
! navigable waters adjacent to and acces-
| sible to 70 per cent. of the most productive
! portion Of the State is a factor Of the ut
/ most importance in the establishment
the transportation Of the products of the
farm and forest to the market.
sNOwsHEDs AND TUNNELS.
Another significant factor in justifiea-
/ ton of the rates in California which has
no doubt influenced the Railroad Com
mission in recognizing the present sched-
ules of the Southern Pacific Company as
! just and reasonable is the tunnels, which
are numerous and expensive Of mainte-
nance, and alsoithe snowsheds. The former
are over ten miles in length, the cost Of
| which must reach or exceed the sum of
/ $40, 900.
/ In this connection Colonel Morgan says:
1.-The character of the rock in which the
1 tunnels on the lines of the railways in
/ California are constructed is such that
4 they have to be heavily timbered to in
sure the safe passage OF trains, which in
! wolves greater first cost and much more
than ordinary expense for their mainte-
nance"
| In some instances it has been found