Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-11-30

GUM the low rate quoted Is only for the
~Wcrkingmen on their special trains. and
as IN India the low rate is made for NOV
ing the masses of the natives, while in both
countries the first class rate is higher than
the highest rate in America. SO 1t Is in
RUSSIA. The population of Russia amounts
10 ABOUT 5000 persons to every mile CT
raiiWaEI The great bulk Of these are OF
tne class which until recently were serfs-
me average weekly wages in Russia In al!
trades and classes Of labor amount to about
o. Even at q of a cent. therefore, the
russian workingman can only travel about
~ miles for his whole weeks wages. and
ne travels under conditions of discomfort
In the equipment and accommodations
which are furnished. which no white man
living In Kansas would consent to submit
to for travelling half a block. AS was SAID
or Belgium. If the railways of Kansas can
have the Russian population. and if the
people of Kansas will submit to the Rus
sian railway service there will be no trou-
bic whatever in making Russian rates in
Kansas.
The other point which Mr.. Brown raises
is in regard to the English Parcels Post.
It Is quite true that the postofiice depart
mcnt of the British government covers a
wider field in some respects than the post
office department in this country. and the
Parcels Post, since 1t was instituted in
England. has been a great success and a
great convenience, especially in the alb
scnce of any express companies over there.
The government handles the parcels just
as it does the letter mail. and 1t makes up
any deficiency out of the revenue from
general taxes. The same thing could be
done in this country. So far as the cost of
the service goes. to the people it makes
very little difference whether they pay 1t
directly in charges on the Individual article
or whether it is paid subsequently IN taxes
to make up a government deficiency hu.
the parties to ~criticise for Its absence In
this country are not the railroads. but the
administration in Washington. 1t Is a
matter which Mr.. Brown had better refer
to the postmaster general.
Now, in all the foregoing, I have simply
extended and eIucidated the references
which Mr. Brown makes. In his article he
states certain facts without stating any
of the surrounding conditions. In all the
countries which Mr.. Brown quotes. In spite
of all the advantages and density OF pop
ulation and OF the far greater cost which
has been put into the railways to make
them operate economically, the first class
rates are higher than the rates in the
United States, and in every country where
accommodation similar to those furnished
to travellers on the railways of Kansas
can De ODtulIlcu dt iii tdio ia " SoNh
tries they cannot be obtained at alb they
cost the traveller much more than they do
here.
Mr.. Brown intended his article to be a
criticism and reflection on the railways OF
this country. Yet, does it not occur to him
that there could not be a more splendid
compliment paid to the American railways
than the fact that when he searched for
comparative rates in other countries he
could only find such rates by going among
the teeming working classes OF Belgium. the
masses of colored natives of India and the
crowds of emancipated serfs OF Russia!
He mentions rates for carrying parcels In
England and third class passengers in other
countries. but he a no reference at
all to freight rates or passenger rates In
general. 1t is a pity hat he did not do
this, because some recent comparisons have
been made. The railways Of Great Brit
ain are supposed to be the best built and
model railways of the world. Englishmen
with their commercial instinct think that
they have their railway service and every
thing else performed as cheaply as Is hui
manly possible. Yet, comparing the lowest
freight rate In England with the cores
ponding rates in this country the difference
Is such tha If the American railways could
get the English rate they would receive
$3.50. OOO. Goo a year more In freight revenue
than they receive to-day.
1 regret that this communication has ex-
tended to such a length. but while it is
easy to state in brief compass one or two
isolated facts. as Mr.. Brown has done, 1t
is less easy to state. as I have tried to do.
even the most essential of the surrounding
conditions which qualify those facts.
Thanking you for the courtesy Of your
space, l am. yours very truly,
E. P. RIPLEY, President.