The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-09-14
A DANGEROUS MENACE TO RAILWAYS
For THE NEWS BY George A. Benham


involved, the amount and diversified
character OF the properties used or con-
trolleo, the large number of men en-
ployed, its great Importance to and far
reaching influence upon trade, commerce,
agriculture, and industrial enterprises,
renders the railway the Leading, II not
the first industry OF the country. The
amo unit OF labor, care and skill necessary
to conserve and operate railway proper
ties is very great.
The intense business depression and
ruinous competition aggravated by in
ordinate demands OF the people during
the past three years have taxed to the
utmost the best resources of our ablest
railway managers.
The business depression alone, involving
a fearful loss OF earnings, with but
slight decrease of operating expenses, was
enough to bankrupt the strongest rail
ways. During this most trying period
business o. manufacturing corporations
could close their works, fold their hands
and wait the passing OF the storm. But
with railways il was entirely differ
ent. They were required to be operated,
regardless OF expense.or loss en- to ileu,
and scores of the best managers were
sorely peprlexed with the problem of
how to make both ends meet, and avert
a receivership. But good executive abil-
ity and experience, coupled with hard
and faithful work, enabled the managers
OF the leading systems TO weather the
storm and esta blish thsir properties on a
sound financial basis sgain. But now a
much more serious danger menaces them-
the silver lanscy which has become epi-
demic In the West and South, aud threat
ems to involve the railway and
business interests of the country
generally In the worst disaster of the
age. Just as railway superintendent
after incessant labor for several days and
nights on account of a strike, wreck or
snow blockade, sees chance to obtain
needed rest, and then is ruthlessly called
out on the line by another disaster, so
with the railway. officials after the recent
financial storm. Just as they have
clutched their property from the hands
Of receivers, placed it upon safe founda-
tions again and are looking forward TO a
period of prosperity and a chance to re-
cuperate their energies, they are confront-
ed with this terrible insurrection of la
boring men, who have been seduced by
the wiies Of cunning politicians and are
ciamoring for free silver regardless Of the
inevitable disaster which must follow 40
dangerous an innovation in our stable
and well-esta blished financial system.
These men owe a lasting debt to the
railway officials who, at a grea. sacrifice
of corporate property, have by various
expedients kept most of their employees
at work when the wolf was at the door.
But "eaten bread is soon forgotten"
There Is in this country growing
tendency on the part of the legislative or
municipal bodies, private corporations
and the people generally, to encroach
upon railways which are considered as
legitimate subjects Of plumber on one or
another specious pretexr. Yet there Is
absolutely no compensating feature.
Burdensome restrictions of a public or
quas! public character, intense compe-
tition, periods of financial depression, in
creased demap DIS for more taxes, for more
extensive and elaborate transportation
facilities, in the shape of faster trains
and costly safety appliances, for things
of an aesthetic character or conducive to
the comfort Of travellers only, coupled
with a growing demand for lower rates,
have reduced the railways Of this country
to such a position that their operation at
a profit commensurate with the returns
on other corporate enterprises, has be-
come almost an impossibility. The sue
! cessful management of a great railway
system today, under existing conditions,
has become n fine art. The constant i'm
provement Of railway facilities and ssr-
has reached point where further pro-
gress can be attained only at a cost which
increases in an inverse ratio with every
degree OF Improvement attained.
Ihe character OF some of the restric-
tIons which confront railway managers
and virtually place them between the
devil and the deep sea, may be illustrated
by a pertinent example. The Empire
State Expsess, on the New York Cen
trail, is perhaps the best ana most sue
cessful exponent OF verv fast ana
limited traiu operated at regular periods.
The speed OF this train has attained, per-
haps tho point neyond which it could
not be operated with safety and profit.
Still there is, or soon will be, an .mpera-
tive demand for faster train. Yet the
managers are confronted with obstacles
which constitute a veritable Chinese wall.
Every increase in the speed OF the "Em.
pire state Expross," for example, pre-
sumably increases the danger to human
life despite thc most vigilant precautions.
Ihe ipH,xible law OF the state OF New
York prevents the New York Central
Railroad from charging over two GEMS a
mile for fares, however great the speed
or whatever the character of the train.
The new constitution adopted by the peo-
pie OF that state removed the wise end