The Topeka state journal., 1897-12-07

last reply. But let me add one word.
/ While I admit that there has been here
and there cases of premature construc-
| ton, the best Justification of the general
policy of treating the railroads as high
ways is to be found in the fact of our
| rapid internal development, in the fact
| that our railways are worth much more
/ than they cost, and in the fact that we
| can now get al the money we want at }
per cent. Then, with regard to the en-
ployment of an excessive staff, there has
1 been vital factor ignored in this con-
nection. Our railway construction de-
| veloped with great rapidity, and to keep
pace with the abnormal pressure a very
large number of men were taken on.
When matters settled down to regularity
and routine it was found that the staff
was in excess of the needs. And further
and this is the point-it was discovered
that as civil servants their employment
was regarded as permanent. This, or
course, raised a great difficulty but
bravely faced it, and by dint of a great
effort and the loyalty of the electors, we
have manage dto reduce the staff to es-
sential proportions.
But that there is any political eorrup-
tion in our railway system is quite IN
true Indeed our system has in no way
pGen ulaITGu DH many "a lAlOSC uAl4OA lhAA-
ate political features which have been
constantly incident to the railway com
pany promotions in the United Kingdom.
Nor have our traders and farmers been
troubled with that costly and futile l1ti
cation, and those grossly unfair preferen-
tial foreign rates of which we have sor-
rowfully heard so much in the old coun-
try"
''And do your railways pay?'
ssXVbat We "a doing is ma king q profit |
of about 8 per cent above working ex-
penditure. But as we have loans raised |
at and ~ per cent stin unredeemed, we
are not commercially on the right side. |
But we are rapidly improving our posi- |
tfon, and, as a deliberate matter of pol |
icy, we prefer to give comparatively low |
railway rates than to make a net profit |
at the expense of our trade and agricul- |
ture and this we find to be one of the |
great advantages of state as opposed to I
private railways. We can afford to be |
independent of profit so long as the colony |
is developing"
And what is the method of cOntrol?"
Under the scheme of reconstruction we
now nave a practical railway manager as
commissioner appointed by order in coun-
Gil for seven years, with fairly large dis
cretfonary powers, subject to certain con-
troll by the ministry, but only removable
by a vote of the two houses. Originally
the railway department was just like any
other department of state, with its head
in the cabinet and therefore changeable
with his party Then we tried a perma-
nent commission of three, with practically
absolute powers. But this we did not
find satisfactory, hence our present sys-
tenn, which works well and promises bet
ter, so far as can be judged. It seems
to secure the maximum of expert eff
cheney without the dangers of mere bu-
reaucratic control, freed from the demo-
cratic voice. OverconstructiOn is guarded
against by the most ample precautions
without being arrested by bureaucratic
pedantry."
DO you contract your work of con-
struction or do it by direct employment of
Iabor?"
Certainly, by direct employment of Ia
Dor, which we find much more economical
and generally satisfactory. As a partial
Indication of this, we have just completed
the most cheaply constructed line in the
world. 1t is a good and substantial piece
of work and has only cost us 81,7oO per
mile. OF course we had the wood for
sleepers fairly close, and the ground was
pretty easy, and under our new system
did not cost anything, as the district in
terested has to give us the land without
compensation, and, moreover, the people
who use our lately constructed lines have
to pay higher rates until the line pays
working expenses and interest. But even
then. everyone will admit it to be a great
achievement, when your average in Eng
land is $4,000 per mile with labor
cheaper than with US"
And what of the outlook?
''It is very bright. We have had many
obstacles, and the depression of n few
wears ago hit US badly, but things are
looking up. and the prospect before the
state railways is full Of fair promise
With fair seasons and the gradual reduc-
ton of interest as we renew the loans
believe the railways of Victoria will pay
working. expenses and interest on capital
and this is all we want as we have no
7i,,idands to provide State ownership
has nroved the right policy, and will,
believe. continue to secure greater justi- /
fcation year by year"