Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-09-27


1t Is believed that the foregoing sun
mary represents an approximate
correct statement OF the relation {
the various governments to the raj
ways Of the world.
The relative rates charged 70
freight and passenger service on tn
government owned railroads and tn
other facts cited in connection witt
such roads are calculated TO allor'
little encouragement to the advocate
Of government ownership
A comparison Of passenger charges
per mile shows an average in Grea
Britain OF 4.42 cents for first class
500 cents for second class, and 1874
for third class. In France the aver
age is 1886 cents for first class, 2.St
for second class and 2.0S for third
class. In Germany the rate is Sic
cents for first class, 2.32 cents for
second class, and "a cents for third
class. In the United States the aver
age charge is 2.l2 cents.
The average charges per ton per
mile are rs follows. Great Britain
2.SO cents, France 2.20 cents, Ger
many l.64 cents and in the U'niled
States 100. The interest on capital
invested In these countries is as fol-
lows; United Kingdom, IL per cont
Germany, 81 per cent; Russia 5'a
per cent; Austria, 81 per cent; Bel
GUM, 4.6 per cent; United States,
| 81 per cent. Tho average for the
world Is 80 per cent
The system Of operation Of the rail
roads in different countries il In
dictated.
In Austria about 4 per cent of the
railway mileage is owned and about
70 per cent Is operated by the state
Upon the expiration Of the charters
not exceeding ninety years the lines,
land and buildings Of the companies
are turned over to the government,
but the equipment remains the pro-
perty Of the private owners. Before
railway is opened it must be ap-
proved by the minister Of commerce.
The tariffs Of state roads are fixed by
the governments; those Of the COM
panies are subject to revision by the
government every three years and
the government has power to reduce
rates, II the net earnings exceed 10
per cent on capital.
In Canada also one-tenth Of the
mileage Of about $4,000 milesis owned
and controlled and operated by the
government. For the year 1892 the
operation Of the government lines re-
suited In a loss of over 5000, 900.
At the present date by far the larg-
or portion about iive-sixths) Of the
French railway system Is operated by
private companies, each company
serving a definite territory and being
comparatively free from the COMPETE
ton Of other lines. But the railroad
properties ARE ultimately to become
the property of the government. This
system Is a mixed one OF state and
private ownership.
In Germany nearly ninety per cent
Of the railway mileage is owned by
the government. Under the law the
government is required to manage
1t the interest Of general traffic on a
single system. 1t may cause the con-
struction and equipment Of roads and
enforce uniform traffic and police reg
ulatlons.
In Great Britain and Ireland the
STATE. does not own the railways. There
are stringent regulations provided by |
law and administered by the railway
commission and board OF trade. Italy
has tried both state and private rail-
roads and has come to the conclusion
that 1t is NO advantage to own and
operate the railways. The result was
a reorganization Of the whole railway |
system. Under the present system,
private companies operate the state
roads under contract with the govern
ment.
In Russia the government is stated
to own and operate about 40 per cent
Of the railway mileage. Nearly all
of the railways by private companies
have received subsidies from the gov
eminent.
II is stated that In the United States
several of the states have tried owner
ship in a limited way. Illinois con-
structed road at cost Of 81, 1000, 900
but disposed Of 1t for 100000, In