The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-03-27

NEW YORK, March 19.-President ]. J..
Hill, of the Great Northern, has been busy
at work here the last 10 days, since his
return from Europe, in planning and per-
fecting arrangements looking to a greater
development of his tra%nscontinental line.
In company with his wife and son-in-law
he starts West in the morning.
President Hill believes that some time
will elapse yet before the country is in the
flood tide of prosperity again, and that
economy like consistency will be a jewel in
railroad operations. He thinks this fact
is set forth very conclusfvely by the recent
report of President Roberts, of the Penn
sylvania road, in which the earnings of
l6,COO,GO in the course of the year and the
expenses $l3, 00O, coo. Mr.. Hill also points
out that the situation of present difficulties
is to be found in two things, necessity of
the unemployed in great cities returning
to the farm and agricultural pursuits as a
means of subsistence for existence, and an
inevitable reduction in wages and real es-
tate mat must take place sooner or later
before the country can get upon a sound
and healthy business basis again.
These two conditions precedent to pros
per1ty are forced upon the country, in Mr..
Hills opinion, by reason of the industrial
and commercial changes that are going on
all over the world, and which now affect
the United States so seriously. President
Hill said to your correspondent tonight, in
answer to a question as to the outlook for
times in this country:
Il cannot speak intelligently for any
thing except the hive country be-
tween the Great Lakes and Puget sound.
There we have nothing serious to complain
OF. The earnings of our railway company
are showing a constant and considerable
increase over last year. This Is not due
to any increased agricultural activity, but
is the natural growth of the new country.
There is not a brilliant prospect ahead.
Ihere is at present no particular feature
indicating
A speedy RETURN
to past conditions of prosperity. I think
that this will be a matter of slower growth.
Inc want of employment for mechanics,
miners and operatives in the various indus
trial lines begins to send these people on
to the land where they can secure a home
OF their own and a comfortable living in
any event, Notwithstanding the low price
OF agricultural products.
What appears to be the trouble:
IN a general way, the increased means
OF transportation, improved methods for
handling exchange and credit by telegraph
and cable, and, in fact, the increase in
better facilities for doing business between
the commercial nations has brought the
whole WORLD much closer, and any material
condition which largely affects one of the
commercial nations makes itself felt by all.
L think that the manufacturing and landed
interests OF Great Britain are suffering as
much or more than those of any other
country. The cotton spinners of Manches-
ter are losing their business in the East to
Japan to an extent that Japan is now sup
plying the Eastern market with more cot
ton yarns than IS supplied by England,
Notwithstanding that England had practical
control of this entire market a few years
ago. The English live stock feeder has to
compete with the well fed stock of Ameri-
ca, but the improved methods Of preserving
meat in transit enables the sheep farmer
OF New Zealand and Australia to supply
the British market at
A VERY LOW PRICE,
and If the quality of their meat is not so
good, the price is so low that it is readily
sold"
D you think we are on the eve of an
industrial revolution and that labor and
real estate will suffer a fall or reduction in
priceS?"
Mr.. Mulhall, a we'll known English au-
thority on statistics. in a recent paper
gives the cost of transportation by rail in
the different countries of Europe as COM
pared with the United States. While the
United States furnished transportation on
an average of 40 pence, or say 80 cents, per
ton for 100 miles, the average cost in Great
Britain is $2.60 or 100 pence per ton per 100
miles. These figures show that while the
rates of wages paid in the United States
are much higher than those paid in Europe
we are furnishing transportation at an
averge of one-third to one-half the prices
charged the public in Europe. showing
THE SUPERIORITY
of American railway methods. At the
same time the rates in the United States
are so far below the rates in Europe that
the most rigid economy in operation is
necessary on the part of our American
lines. The two items that have suffered
the least reduction are labor and real es-
tate, including the rents of the latter, and
it may be necessary before the conditions
are finally adjusted in this country that
both these items shall be further liq-
Undated"
"Will the unemployed have to take to
farms in order to relieve their condition?'
The movement from the industrial cities
to the land in the Northwest is daily in
creasing in volume, which is evidenced by
the increased demand for railroad lands on
our line and the still larger movement to
free homesteads on government lands, and
the extent Of this movement is rapidly in
creasing. The interest exhibited by the I'M
employed in seeking homes on the lands is
greater than it has been for MANY wears.
and must result in a rapid settling up of
the newer portions of the country. as has
always been the case in the past, following
a period Of general DEPRESSION
A PARROT STORY.