St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-09-20
LET RAILWAYS ALONE.
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP IS
IMPRACTICAL BILE.
Conclusive Figures Gathered on
the subject by Interstate COin-
MERGE Commission.

WASHINGTON. Sept. l9.--In compli-
ance with resolution of the senate,
Introduced by Senator Pettigrew. the
Interstate commerce comm; ssi0n has
compiled some data regarding the own
ership OF railroads by foreign govern.
ments. This is summarized as fol-
lows:
1T appears that ten countries do not
own or operate railroads. viz:
COLOMBIA, Great Britain and Ire
land. Mexico, Paraguay. Peru, Spain,
Switzerland, Turkey, United States and
Uruguay.
1.-The following governments own and
operate some OF the railways:
"Argen.ine, Australasia. Austria
Hungary. Belgium, Brazil. Canada,
Cape Of Good Hope. Chill, Denmark,
France. Germany. Guatemala. Iudia.
Japan. Noway. Portugal, Russia and
Sweden.
1.-THE following governments own part
Of their railroads. but do not operate
any, leasing all the present mileage to
private companies, viz:
"Greece, Holland and Italy"
Though not claimed To be accurate, it
is believed that the foregoing summary
represents an approximately correct
statement Of the various governments
to the railways of the world.
The relative rates charged for freight
and passenger service Oh the govern
ment-Owned railroads and the other
facts cited in connection with such
roads are calculated to afford little en-
enlargement to advocates OF govern
ment ownership. A comparison Of pas =.
senyer charges per mile shows an av-
erage i'll Great Britain of 4.42 cents tor
first class, 500 cents for second class.
and l.94 for third class. In France the
average for first class is $50 cents, for
second class 2.S6, and for third class
EOS. In Germany the rate Is B. 10 cents
first class, 2.32 second class and 1.54
third class. In the United States the
average charge is 2.l2 cents.
The average charges per ton per mile
are AS follows: In Great Britain, $50
cents; in France,2.2 cents; in Germany,
l.64 cents, and in the United States,
cent. The interest on capital invested
III the several countries is as follows:
United Kingdom, III per cent; France,
3.S per cent; Germany, 81 per cent;
Russia. 5.3 per cent; Austria. 81 per
cent: Belgium, 40 per cent; United
States, 81 per cent; the world, So per
cent.
The systems of operations of the rail-
roads Ill different countries is indi-
Gated:
lin Austria about per cent of the
railroad mileage is owned and about 70
per cent operated by the state. AT the
expiration VI charters, not exceeding
ninety years. the lands, lines and build
ings Of the company are forever the
governments, but the equipment re-
mains the property of the private own
ers. Before ii railroad is opened it
must be approved by the minister of
liked by the government; those OF the
company are subject to revision by the
government every three years. and the
government has power to reduce rates
II the net earnings exceed Is per cent on
capital.
''ln Canada about one-tenth of the
mileage of about $4,000 miles is owned,
controlled and operated by the govern.
ment. For the year 1892 the operation
/ of the government lines resulted i'll a
loss Of over 60U,000.
"At the present da by far the larger
portion (about tive-sixths) Ofthe French
| railway system Is op rated by private
companies. each company serving a
definite territory, and being compare
| lively free from the competition of other
| lines. Bnt the railroad properties are
| ultimately to become the property Of
the government. The system is a mixed
one or state and private ownership.
| "ln Germany nearly ~ per cent of the
railway mileage Is owned by the govern
ment. Under the law the government
Is required to manage the railways in
tile interest of general traffic on IL single
system. 1t may cause the construction
and equipment of roads and enforce
uniform traffic and police regulations.
'1n Great Britain and Ireland the
government does not own the railways
There are stringent regulations pro
vided by law. and administered Uy the
railroad commission and be ard of trade
Italy has tried both state and pri
vate railroads, and has come K
the conclusion that 1t is not advanta'
geouS to own and operate the rail
ways. The result was reorganization
of the whole railway system. Unde
the present system, private Companies
operate the state roads under c0ntIac
with the government.
"ln Russia the government Is statet
to own and operate about 40 per cent q
the railway mileage. Nearly all of tn
railways owned by private cOmpanie
have received subsidies from the gov
eminent.
sit is stated in the United States sew
eral of the states have railroad owner
ship in a limited way. Illinois con
structed a road at cost of 81 600. OOC
but disposed of it for 100000; Indian
had similar experience; Georgia own
a railroad, but found it expedient t
lease it TO private company; PennsyI
vania constructed railroad from Phil
adeIphia to Columbia, but subsequent
sold it; Massachusetts, Michigan an
several other states tried the exper
ment without success"
The interstate commerce commissio
disclaims any original Investigation o
this subject, the report being compile
from existing sources of information.