New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-23
GOVERNMENT CONTROL OF RAILWAYS.
SOME AUTHORITATIVE STATEMENTS coNCLi'NlN'
ITS INEFFIcIENCY ~ VICTORIA.


ITS INEFFIcIENCY ~ VICTORIA.
American methods are be adopted on the AUS
,ralan railways Correspondence on the subject has
passed between II K Mackay. Commissioner OF the
Victorian Railways. and Thomas i. Fowler. preS-
dent OF the New-York. Ontario and Western Rail
way Writing from Melbourne. Mr.. Mackay In one
letter 20 Mr.. Fowler 'aid:
In April last year / had the pleasure Of calling
unon Won In company with Mr.. Robert Reid. who
aas then one OF our Ministers OF the croWh N ln's
colony Mr.. Reid had To return 10 Australia ait'r
bref stay In Canada but remained In America Tor
several months IN order to make number OF IN
/ looked into railway freights and fares. ana, a.
though heard good deal Of grlmoiins about ne ne
former I'm some 81 the agricultural states west Oh
Chicago after fun inquiry I arrived at the con
clusion that In both frciehts and fares ana IN ran
about The most favored people IN the world II one
considers the sparse settlement IN t' vs. VIZ
by many legislatures toward the railroads one can
mon, and The fertility of resource under great am
culiies which are displayed IN the worKins %, ent
roads approached the American standard IN equlp-
ment and In husincss-ke care for the convenienoe
Of shippers and travellers. owing TO several den
toria) and a clamor In the agricultural areas FOR
lower freighis. our Government has appointed
small commission to report the whole system OF
working and management we nave JUS, Deku'1 si.c
eminent SYSTEM confronted with the fact mat
drivers and fremcn. uackm"n ana lap0rers s.tel,
ally. higher than those pad f3r similar , wDrN
outside the railway department. We nav
fore decided 10 get the latest Information from the
States and Canada about the salaries ana WAGES
paid TO the several ranks and grades In the com
v wards. ''"''''' Gay AVN ''''
ee aG tcd f to In IN the schede nciosei we should
like 10 have a short description Of the heaviest
and the Averages ana heaviest trainloais on the
Pennsylvania the New York Central and your own
rates here we must strengthen our main lines and
more powerful engines. as well as arssr ire'gn,
4 nnrE %
ones and a few fifteen ton. and were built after the
English pattern whereas on your oo rOaas twenty
have read with interest your have reP S
for lss2s and should Ne' II Of the gross
and net earnings and working eNpenssie,s d f ."s
statement of your ton miles. rates on grain ana
grain products. coal ore; brick ana stone; u ;nsi
produce (butter. milk and cheese), iron ana Steel
drygoods. and tea and sugar . ro,.s ~
Finally. II could get your COMPANY ra,es o,
pay. etc. as set forth on the a''do"e" S'"'' "
would be an advantage
Mr. Fowler sent the desired Information to ME-
Mackay. and its receipt was followed by letter
dated Melbourne. December Is, In which MI
Mackay said:
Your letter furnishing information respecting me
scale Of paw hours OF labor. etc. OF the employees
of your company duly reached me Inc copIrs y.
your annual report. and other statements VIII
to hand | am under great obligation 10 you
for the courtesy and kindness you nave shoTn f ="
so readily furnishing the paffteuiniS s of com,
They have been OF great value Tor puiP.Ti ,ho SOW
Oh
erdl colonies of this group ana other Ntle',Y ~
well as English lines After an EXHAUSTIVE an
searching investigation, extending over SIX Wo''mS
our Commission has found that the Iocal e1'eii
ment system about three thousand mliesl - ~
efficiently managed and that political inl.rltrrnT w.
which is the bane of State-owned lines lnPtlIN .l'
discipline OF the staff and adds 10 the coS o' "olh
ing We have. therefore. recomn'ht' 'hc NcSS.
ing of the lines in a small body OF trustees WIZ
shall have powers Of control ana genera auh'ils1
tration similar those possess" ny r.'islsn an
American directors. while the active ndE,Scihen'
OF system Is be Intrustel 10 a genera nidii'
ger subject Of course 70 the Boari. II I" Hduc
sine uia that the trustees shaii pc
men OF hieh character and standing IN the Hon-
rl,nitv and in this way II i hoped tnat me pla'
hunting polite IN may BE- kept ~ nay. FROM 'h,
Verv nature of things. Government mahaBeHehl oi
railways IL weak iner' ana NacllldtNlS When Nol'i
pared with private management. As in' lsi'p.n
of the public will not INIT the leasing oi gu, ou'
lines th. next best thing H. to create FORM Oh III
dependent control. which, while subject 10 faIIla-
men In important matters Of policy, VIII pe sttons
enough to manage the system on puIey puS'iiesS
lines. without employing unnecessary mon oi Ply
ing extravagant wages. our Government nio "'lo
drlccd in Parliament a bill to create tne on
trolling body Of trustees mentioned, anu 10 'nst,t
OF her necessary reforms Although II VIII lheVi'apiS
meet with opposition from certain cdsS oi POI
ticians every pe'son in the colony Win Pup'0
sprlt hores 10 see the measure carried ,,,
MANY thanks for your kindness in fufnlHhlhS
our Government with the information which we APP
piled for.