Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1896-01-02
The Foundation of the Argument In
Favor of Free Railroad Travel Is, of
Course, the Gigantic Waste of the
Present System.

kuA "a VI EdlAAdIlOnos LII DAAOl bl4O AhOtl
of national railroads has crystallized
and will probably become an accom-
plished fact this generation. While this
phase Of the question has taken itself
to the realm Of constructive legislation,
and is awaiting bold and able hand
to shape it into accomplished fact, the
cranks and faddists have gone good
step forward, and are advocating not
only state ownership of railroads, but
free railway travel.
This last proposition will, no doubt,
provoke a smile, but when ably pre-
scented and vigorously backed up by
existing conditions in England, it is
novel and by no means unattractive.
The foundation Of the argument in
favor Of free railroad travel is of course
the gigantic waste Of the present sys-
tenn. Elaborate calculations show that
every traveller who buys a ticket for a
seat in an English railway train really
pays for nine seats. The competition
which seems to compel rival companies
to run half empty trains between the
same points at precisely the same time,
is, in fact, a charge upon the public So
are the boards of useless and enor-
mously paid directors; so are the rival
stations and the other expenses peculiar
to the present system. 1t is not con-
tended that state control or free travel
would absolutely remedy this waste, but
the advocates of free travel do undoubt-
eddy bring forward facts which indicate
that the waste Of seats under free trav-
ell would be but trifling compared with
the existing waste from ticket travel.
In short, 1t is estimated that all the
people who could possible want to trav-
ell, If the railways Of Great Britain were
as free as the highways, could be ac-
commodated under economical man
agement with the present rolling stock.
Figures are produced showing that
the throwing open Of bridges, and in
some instances even ferries, in Eng
land has reduced the actual cost to the
public to one-sixteenrh. OF course the
additional number taking advantage of
this for communication is included but
assuming that railways, like other
highways, is for public good and not
private profit, the deduction is not I'M
fair. The British public is paying over
Is million dollars annually for railroad
fares. Probably five or six times as
many people would have used the rails
had the same been within their means.
For this sum, free railway travel for
the kingdom, it is claimed, could be
maintained.
Mr.. Cooper said:
"The principle of free travel is not
new, but old. We pay our highway
rates and have good highways for it.
Who would wish to return to the old
system Of turnpike gates with a toll
collector at every mile? But the ticket
box is a railway turnpike gate to every
traveller, and more deterrent than to
pay our railway fares in rates and
taxes, for in so doing we could get five
or six times as much for our money.
The expenses having been paid, the
British public would have gained the
inestimable advantage and right Of
free railway travel over every railway
in Great Britain and Ireland. Every
man, woman and child would be free to
enter any train and go as far as they
please and back again for nothing I'M
til the demand on the rolling stock ex-
ceeds its accommodations. So long as |
the existing rolling stock could supply |
seats for all, no additional expense need |
be incurred. Rates and taxes equal to
the present fares would be more than |
sufficient to pay all expenses, while the
fares fruitlfying in the peoples pockets
instead Of in the Golfers of the railway
would provide the money to
pay the tax or rate"
How do yoL answer the objection
that those who stay at home would be
made to pay part of the expenses of
hose who travel?"
why should they not, IL free travel
be public advantage? They gain as
much as those who travel. Pickard's
thousands Of vans pay no tolls; they go
,ver free roads, but who does not share
he advantage that Plckards derive
rom free roads? Those who now travel
Jay enough for the unlimited distance
hey go to convey themselves and the
of the population all over
he railways of the country. All classes
would gain. Those who now use the
all would exchange the right they
POSSESS Of travelling over distances
trlctly limited by the fares for an un-
United right at a less cost, to go when
md where they please over all the rail-
Ways in the country; those who now
emain at home, nearly all by compul-
ion, for the difference between the
otal fares now paid and the share Of
he tax to be paid by those Who now
ravel will obtain the same unlimited
light Of free travel Of which they are
low deprived. Free travel will be
maintained by the whole nation at
mall cost to each, and an immense
ain to ALL"
So much for the free railway travel
heory. The more practical question is
be causes which must in England, II