The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-12-21
rms owSrnsHar or RAILROADS

4
California ard coorad0 ara very much
1 fn earnest IN opposing the bills now BE-
| fore the senate and house OF represefs-
/ tztIves providing for the refunsiing OF
/ the debts due By the Pacific railroads
ard exteudang for peraod OF 30 years
The tine OF payment In California. I'M
der the supervision Of the Examiner.
a petition OF over 200 90 rGaETsss has been
prepared and sent 10 Washington
The ssgrarx call upon the government
TO pay the firxss mortgage and then fore
close lts second mortgage ard take the
Central Pacahc railroad under public
control. They assert thak any extension
Of time only prolongs the control OF the
Southern Pacific over tsle industries and
business OF California, and perpetuates
the monopoly OF transportation now en-
joyed By that powerful corporation They
claim that were the government to take
charge OF the Central Pacific and oper-
ate IL properly. rates would be reduced
and determinations cease. California
members OF the house are urgently re-
auested to defeat any and all funding
bills.
In Colorado the same feeling with re-
spect 10 the Union Pacific Is manifested.
The Denver Chamber OF Commerce Is
actively antagonlzing the proposed fund
ing bill for the Union Pacific and Is cir
culating a petition somewhat similar to
that sent on from California. The Cham
Der gives many reasons why the reor-
ganization should not be accomplished.
They declare that the bills ignore the
interest OF the people living IN the re-
gion tributary to tine road; that they
extend payments an unreasonable time
for q nsw country: that they give the
roads undue power in developing or re-
tan3ing any particular section OF coun-
try: and finally. that they bestow gov
ernmant credit upon corporations to en-
able them TO borrow money at or
per cent. per annurn.
The memorials close with a petition
that the government pay of the mort
gage on both roads and operate them on
a plan similar TO the postofflce depart
ment. Ia order that the entire country
may enjoy the benefits Of an honest adj
ministratlon without discrimination. II
is being supplemented by like petitions
in other states along the line Of the two
roads and their branches.
II the experiment of government own
ersiip and operation or railroads Is To
be made. the opportunity presented OF
securing control OF a transcontlnental
highway could not be surpassed. It in
wolves neither confiscation nor large ex-
penditure. compared with that which
would be required were the government
10 purchase the roads outright The In
terest paid by the United States upon
the bonds OF the two roads Is much In
excess OF the principal OF the first mort
gage bonds. which must be paid before
the government can acquire title to the
roads.
Many people who do not advocate the
purchase OF roads IN which the govern
ment has no pccuniary interest. would
not object to the experiment with roads
which II has subsidized munihcentIy and
aided by grants of credit and payments
OF interest with proifgai hberality
There are also others. anl they are
numerous. who sincerely believe that
such a course would be amply justified
by the results attained. and would be
the beginning OF "A movement for the
NATURALIZATION of al rail transportation.
The greet majority. the conservative
ones. however. are not yet ready for so
radical departure.