The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-29
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The different way In which progress
Is made in this country and in European
countries is illustrated by bill now be
fore the British Parliament. The measure
proposes TO aid the building OF light rail
roads in the rural neighborhoods so az 10
bring these districts into closer touch
with the larger cities. relieve the mOnot-
ony OF farm-life, and help the farmer
in his struggle with the changing condi-
lions Of modern business and social life.
1t provides for substituting these lines by
the government, and promoting their con-
struction I'm other ways. II the bill passes
the plan of the light iron railroads COM
mon In France and Belgium. and which
cost about $4,000 a mile, viii probably
be adopted.
The Idea. If carried into effect, will
doubtless result in accomplishing much
toward restoring prosperity TO neighbor
hoods which have been left behind III
the march OF modern progress. The
great development Of manufacturing, in
England especially has been made OF
the expense Of the country Every trav-
eller through rural England Is struck by
the signs of stagnation and decay in the
country and small towns, which were
once the scene of a busy life The situa-
ton is often painful. Manufacturing on
a small scale is no longer carried on and
agriculture feels not only the loss of a
local market. but the weight Of foreign
competition. Workingmen and women
have drftod TO the cities, and the nation
is fast losing the sturdy yeoman stock
which was once It's pride and strength.
SO evident has this situation become
that societies have been organized TO
turn the tide Of population back again
toward the country.
The government now proposes 20 step
in and lend its assistance by loaning
money 20 aid in building short light
railroads for the farmers. Something Of
the same situation now prevalent in Eng
land has come about in this country.
There has been a limited desertion OF
the rural neighborhoods. and a crowding
into the cities, especially in the older
States, and where a WORKOUT soil has
come into competition with the rich lands
of the West. But no proposition is Sc
riously made here TO remedy the situation
by asking the government 70 step in and
build railroads 10 give the farmer a bet
ter chance 10 hold his own. The situation
is left TO private enterprise, and private
enterprise is rapidly taking up the work.
The cheapness with which electric lines
can be built and run is solving the prob
lem. They are being pushed far out into
the rural neighborhoods. and ten years
from now there will be few Isolated COM
munities.
The difference I'm the way this question
IS treated in England and in the United
States is more than an accident IL IL
illustrates the results Of two radically diff
ferent economic systems. England puts
its working classes into competition with
the whole world. 1t has allowed its farm
ing interests TO be ruined in order 10
build up tOp-heavy manufacturing inter
osts. And now Il finds itself compelled
TO turn in and help the farmer cut of
the embarrassing situation into which
free trade has brought him. II is taxing
the manufacturers TO help the impover-
ished farmers In the United States the
farmer and the workingman ask protcc-
ton from the pauper labor OF foreign
countries. and to be guarded from sink
ing TO the level TO which centuries OF
caste-rule in old countries have brought
the workingman. But when the Amer
lean work.ngman has this protection he
is willing 10 leave TO demand and supply
the enterprises which are necessary 10
his comfort and convenience.
There IS no civilized country in the
world to-day In which so many social
istic schemes are proposed for aiding the
working classes through government
money as there are In England These
schemes are. simply the logical result OF
placing its workingmen I'm unrestricted
competition with the whole world. The
government finds that II must take upon
Itself burdens. such as the building Of
rural railroads. which the people them
selves could have looked after IL they
had not been impoverished by free trade.
-Philadelphia Press.