The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-09-11
1T CAN'T BE DONE.

In the issue of September Ith. Mr.. H.
S Lyman replies to an article published
by this paper August 18th, in which the
Astorian saw Mt to oppose the proposition
made by certain of the hoosier element
End few cranks, that the United States
acquire by purchase all of the vast ral-
way interests OF this country ami operate
the lines as 1t does the postofice. The
reasons given in the Historian why this
governments is not in condition to success
fully operate the railroads of the coun>
Try are sufficient. and are supported by
practical men and such eminent scientists
as Prof. Hadley. OF Yale college. The
proposition Of the eranks is so supremely
ridiculous that it is hardly worthy OF
serious thought or labor in answering
There are some who do not understand
the situation. and since the matter has
been broached in the East and at home.
it is as well TO look further into the
question. The Astorian does not admit
that the operation Of railroads might
be brought under the civil service rules
of the government; that is the suggestion
Of the cranks. 1t never can be done su1-
cessully and probably never will be at
tempted by a wise people.
In addition to what has been saia, and
without going to Europe for examples, or
to the figures cited by Prof Hadley. it
can be laid down as an axiom, plain 10 the
dullest reader, that the cumbersomeness
Of one gigantic railroad system Of the
United States under control OF one su.
preme power at Washington would OF it.
self make a failure OF the experiment.
There could be but one final head to
decide all matters Of policy and expedi-
ency which constantly arise in the man
agement of railways serving great coun-
try like this, where in every state differ
ent conditions Of trade exist, and where
these conditions are constantly changing
as population increases. and manufactures .
and natural resources are developed (
What are fair rates in Oregon would be
most unjust in New York; railroads in
Massachusetts can make money on rates
that would bankrupt the roads in Wash 4
ington. The manager Of a railroad can
only attend to SO much business and cover .
so much territory, and DO justice TO the I
road and the people. What is today a
fair rate on certain comoditles in Oregon .
would be prohibitory in six months, or
next year. Conditions and circumstances (
in a new country are constantly changing /.
anu Gan Vll4y nc met Dg All OlllCel OI tlIe
ground with authority to act, and who
can act quickly. Under the usual gov.
ernment methods, by the time an applica-
ton for a change in freight rates, neces-
sary to preserve some factory or business /
house against new forms Of competition. /
was referred back to Washington and /
submitted to the supreme power anI a .
decision rendered. the damage would [
have been done, the traffic lost, and some |
poor mans business wiped out Of exist
ence All this because the machinery
and red tape Of so great system could !
not possibly work quick enough TO meet |
public demands. In an old country like
Prussia, where business is settled, and |
few changes are made in the development |
OF the country, and where the govern
ment is always in the same hands, and
where the railroad mileage is short and
principally for strategic purposes in war
times, it is not so difficult for government
TO operate the roads-the people expect
less. But even under such rule, there is
much complaint and natural causes will
continue such complaints. The Wander
bilts own the New York Central Harlem
River. West Shore, Nickel Plate Lake
Shore and Michigan Southern, Michigan
Central, New York, Ontario and West
ern, Bee Line, Chicago and Northwest
ern, Chicago, st. Paul, Minneapolis and
Omaha, Sioux City and Pacific. Fremont,
EIkhorn and Missouri Valley roads. and
others, and yet long ago they found it
impossible TO operate these various lines
under cne central head, and consequent
ly today each is a separate institution,