The record-union., 1894-08-07
AN EASTERN MANS VIEW.
The Government Ownership of Rail-
WAYS Discussed.

AN EASTERN MANS VIEW
The Government Ownership of Rail-
ways Discussed.
The following letter to the San Fran
cisco EUening Post contains much food
for thought:
MONTEREY, Cal, July 80, 1894.
Editor of The EUeaiag Post-DEAR SIR:
The document upon which / write was
received by me few days ago folded in a
copy of the San Francisco Examiner.
Not being citizen residing il the ,a
States and Territories most Interested"
/ return the paper to you with a
few comments thereon. Had l a
vote it would be cast most decid-
edly in the negative. The people of
the United States. through their repre-
sentatives in Congress, often do foolish
things, but l do not believe they are
ready to commit themselves to the monu-
mental act of folly asked for in this petit
ton, 1. e., owning and operating the rail-
roads Of the United States, or any one of
them. Possibly some members OF Con-
gress have ridden upon the French rail-
roads owned by the Government. 1t is
true the Government derives large reve-
nue. through that ownership, as do the
companies to whom the concessions are
granted-the patrons of the roads The
dear public are the only sufferers, paying
for freight and transportation more than
twice the rates now prevailing in the
United States.
In our country believe we are suffer-
ing from overbuilding of railroads, and
too much and unwise legislation in con-
nection with that vast interest.
The people OF California, through the
press, especially the press OF San Fran
cisco, appear to believe that prosperity
would come to the State, and more es-
pecially to their leading city. if another
transcontinental line had terminus on
the bay. Are they quite sure of this?
| The States of Oregon and Washington
| have four through lines (not counting the
Southern Pacitic's route to Portiand).
Has this multiplication OF railroad facili-
ties brought prosperity to those States?
Ask the farmers who sell their products
at 90 per cent. or less of the rates OBJ
| tanned when the Northern Pacific was
the only through line; ask the mer-
chants of Portland Seattle and Tacoma;
ask the holders and dealers in real es-
tate who bought land and improved
property in anticipation of the prosper
| ity which was sure TO come with the new
lines of communication with the East.
AS / look at this railroad question, the
! subject of criticism is not fairly treated
| the rates of fare between New York and
! San Francisco are less than two cents per
|
upon the New York and New Haven
| Road and the New York Central, with
! ihe dense population along their lines
and half-hourly trains; less than half the
rates for first-class passengers in densely
populated England and Scotland. The
rates for freights are somewhat higher
! than upon Eastern roads, or say those of
! the Middle West; but compared with the
business Offering they are much lower.
! In looking up this matter two years ago
/ found that the rate of freight charges in
the New England States-a compare
lively crowded section-wSs over one
cent per ton per mile, while in the
sparsely settled States of Kansas and
| Nebraska the rate was less than nine
mills per ton per mile; but 1 fail to
find that the owners and managers of
| the New England roads are held up at
the bar of public opinion as robbers
and swindlers, unit to live and necessa-
rily unfit to die. The people and iegis-
lators in New England pursue different
methods from those prevailing in the
newer States-they pass laws protecting
the capital invested in their lines from
unwise competition. When their Rail-
road Commissioners decide that q new
line is not required the concession asked
for is denied.
If lower freight rates are desirable for
the State of California, they can, in my
the press of the State, especially the press
of San Francisco, devote the same amount
of time, labor and ability TO setting forth
the wonderful resources of the State and
it's attractions as place of residence,
which they now devote to decrying the
Southern Pacific owners and manage
ment and rush of settlers would be the
result and lower freight rates would fol-
low of necessity. The attitude of the
press and its utterances keep people away
from the State. They do not tell the
truth, but their readers believe they do,
and the result follows. Did they tell the
truth regarding railroad oppression living
would be higher here than in the East,
while in fact it is cheaper. You can get
more for your money in the hotels and
markets OF San Francisco Equality con-
sidered) than in any city in the Union.
Another way in which California can
be delivered from the oppression, So
called, of the railroad is for the capitalists
of San Francisco to unite and build a
competing line. Let Mr.. De Young of the
! Chronicle head the list with some of his
rapidly accommodating wealth Ito which
his brain power and tireless energy
| Justly entitled HIM; let Mr.. Hearst ofthe
Examiner join him with portion of his
inheritance and the oppressed merchants
of the city who have accumulated vast
fortunes despite the exactions of the Big
Four-united they would be invincible.
Low freight rates would result and pros
perity might follow to the citizens who
declined to join in the enterprise.
Are the owners of the Southern Pacific
''sinners above all men2" had occasion
| two weeks ago to pay my railroad fare
| from Ukiah to San Francisco-four
cents per mile was the rate-S4
| for lib miles-double the through
rate charged by the Southern Pacific,
and one-third more than the rate
charged by this line Southern Pacific) to
Castle Crag. The road to Ukiah, under
stand, is independent OF the combine"
and fail to learn that its management is
| denounced. Yours most respectfully,
| JAMES II. BENEDICT,
20 Broad street, New York City.