The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-17

Gov.-e,ect Psngree. OF Michigan has
mapped out a campaign which promises
TO keep ne legislature busy for more than
one session One Of his pet hobbies l. q
reduction OF railroad rates. and as taat
will inevitably form one OF the topics at
Olympia this winter. II may DO OF interest
10 learn how ne proposes to go about his
task and what ne expects 10 accomplish
Gov. Piagree uses some very radical ex-
presssons, but ne seems TO have clearly
in mind the necessity OF being reasonable
IA his demands In order TO avoid the inter
position. IL sought. OF courts OF equity.
he lays il down as a fundamental propo-
sition that passengers cannot be carried
through sparsely settled country at as low
a rate as where the traffic IS brisk. IL Is,
OF course, evident that railroad company
running q train over given distance
could haul a fully crowded car at less
per capita than II all the facilities. rolling
stock and employees had TO be maintained
for the accommodation Of number which
fails far below the carrying capacity. He
proposes two schedules Of fares applicable
to these different CONDITIONS
All people want as low railroad rates as
possible, consistent with the accommoda-
tons they are willing TO pay for There
are occasions when, for a short journey,
man may be willing 10 enjoy and able
TO pay for the comforts OF a parlor car;
and there are other occasions when man
would be willing to put up with the barest
necessities II long journey could only De
brought within his means. Gov. Pingree
refers 10 the excellent management or
railroad In Michigan whose stockholders
arc Engllshmen. lie gives several In
stances OF their common-senss methods
lie did them more than justice, however.
The English at home have always been
slower than Americans to adopt new IDEAS,
but when they become Americanizcd they
are very thorough. Early in ths days OF
railroading tho English established a min
imUm rate for passengers. The roads met
this by what was called parliamentary
train, answering 10 the American accom-
nodaUon.' which travelled slowly, stop
ped at every station ana called for "a COM
paratiVely small investment OF capital for
car fittings 1t answered the purpose.
however. OF aIording means OF travel
Al the lowest possible rate. IL people
wanted express trains and upholstered
cars they could have them by paying a
higher rate. Yet in 4 very few years the
railroad companies found that the cheap
parliamentary trains paid profit aud. OF
their own accord. they added inducements
10 the ''thifd" class Of traffic by putting
on better cars.
Mr.. Pingree points out some ways by
which a railroad company can make travel
more agreeable and frequent without SUI
fering any loss. lie relates that on the Eng
lish-owned road hewas charged for a lower
sleeping berth. and found that the upper
berth was not closed unless it was re
qulred. lie found. too. that family tick
cts for 600 miles were sold. and other In
ducements to travel held out He uses
as an argument that II a man is rich and
has so he can ride AZ cents mile by
buying a mileage book. but II he is poor
he is charged cents a mile. This Is the
weakest argument ia his rather extensive
afn0fys X - always GONG 10 De pfln-
oiple Of business that man who travels
1000 miles Will demand lower proportion
ata rate than him who travels only one.
The railroads are fully as much an aa-
vantage 70 the people as the people 20 the
railroads. fact which is net always suf-
| ncien;ly appreciated after the railroad Is
constructed. II would seem as II expert
ence and self-interest would teach rail-
roads how best to regulate rates. but since
legislatures have the power TO regulats
them. and usually consider Il necessary
| 20 regulate them. care should es taken
| no, TO cripple the roads by exsreme meas
urea
/ The pubic opposition 20 legislation pro-
| wiling for reasonable fares aad patung
l restrictions upon railroads does not come
/ ftasn people friendly to railroads. These
| form very email portion. Il Is due 90
/ fear that radical legislation may check
/ the development % much needed railroad
| facilities.