The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1894-11-16
Government Ownership of
Railroads,

1t appears that ten countries do not own
or operate railroads. viz: Columbia, Great
Britain and Ireland, Mexico, Paraguay,
Peru, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United
States and Uuruguay. The following gov
own and operate some of the
railways: Argentina, Australia, Austria |
Hungary, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cape
of Good Hope, Chile, Denmark, France,
Germany, Guatemala, India. Japan, Nor
way, Portugal, Russia and Sweden-eigh-
teen. The following governments own
part of their railways, but do not operate
any, leasing all the property: Greece,
Holland and Itaiy-three. Though not
claimed 10 be accurate, it is believed that
The following summary represents an ap-
lroximately correct statement of the rela-
tions of the various governments to the
railways of the world.
The relative rates charged for freight
and passenger serviee on the government
owned railroads and the facts cited in con-
nection with such railroads are calculated
to afford lit enough encouragement to
the advocates of government ownership.
A comparison Of passenger charges per
nile shows an average in Great Britain of
4,42 cents for first class, $50 cents for
second class, and 2 0S cents for third class.
In Germany the rate is 5 10 cents for first
class, 2 81 cents for second class, and l "a
cents for third class In the United States
the average charge is 2.I2 cents. The
average charges per ton per mile are as fol-
lows: In Great Britain, go cents; in
France, 2.20 cents; in Germany, LEA cents,
and in the United States. cent.
The interest on capital invested in the
several countries is as follows: United
Kingdom, Al per cent; France. 3.S per
cent; Germany, per cent; Russia, So
per cent; Austria, per cent; Belgium, &c
per cent; United States, 81 per cent; the
world, 50 per cent.
The systems of operation of the railroads
in different countries is indicated: In
Austria about 10 per cent of the railway
mileage is owned and about 81 percent i:
operated by the State. Upon the sxpira'
ton of charters, not exceeding nine'y years
the lines and lands of the company rcver
to the government, but the equipment, re-
, mains the property Of the private owners
} Before a railway is opened it must be ap-
proved by the minister Of commerce. TIT
tariffs Of the State roads are fixed by III,
, government; they are subject to rsrIsion b,
! the government. and The government ha
. power 10 reduce rates if the earnings ex.
ceed Is per cent on the capital.
For the year 1892 the operation of th,
government lines resulted in loss in Can
ada of over S6OO, 900. At the present dat
: by far the largest portion (about five ix;hs
of the railway system is operated by pri,
! yats companies, each company serving
definite territory and being compara,ivel.
} free from competition of other lines. Bu
the Taiload properties are ultimately 10 be
come the property Of the government Thi
system is mixed one of State and prival
ownership. In Germany nearly 50 pc
cent of the railway mileage is owned b
the government. Under the Law the gov
ernmenl Is required 10 manage the rail
says in the interest OF general traffic on
single system. It may cause the con
struction and equipment Of road. and en-
force unifcrm traffic and police regulations
In Great Britain aud Ireland the goTera-
msnt Goes no. owA any of the railway
There are Stringent regulations provides
by las and administered by the raiiwa,
commission and board Of trade.
Italy has tired both State AID privGi
railroads, and has ccme TO the conclus.o
that II is not advantageous for the State /
own and operate railways. The rssul; va
a reorganization of Ihs railway system,
e Under the pFeseni system private compar
: les cperae the ate ruads under con;raC
with he government. In Russia the gov
/. ernment is stated to owu and operate abou
4 ~ percent Of The railway uil.age. Nearl
all OF the railways owned by private eom
panies have received sa5si4ies from lh
: government.
Il is stated that in the United S,a:s
several Of the States have tried oxnersAi
., In limited way. Illinois constructed
s a road at a Cost OF s.. 900 .ooJ, ba, dispose
i, of it for sIoo. 900. Indiana had simiiis
experience. Georgia owns a railroad, bu
"a found il expedient 10 leasei, TO priva,
company PennsyiVnnia constructed
railroad from Philadelphia to Columbia, b.
;, subsequently sold IL. Massachusetts, Mich
gan and several oiher St1tes tried toe expe
iment withoar snccrss.-From a report
the U S Interstate Commerce Commi<sioI