The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-07-20
WHY THOSE REDUCED RATES

WHY THOSE RATES
were stopped and the public and the
line deprived of an arrangement so
highly satisfactory to both, and by
what methods it was done, is known
by your Commission already.
8. There lie still another demonstra-
ton that rates r too high as to pas
senger rates. The rate now, as in 1891,
is still 81 cents per mile, and it is higher
than that on some of our roads, yet the
railroads report the average received
per passenger per mile ais cents.
Clearly, therefore, there is vast num-
Der Of people who ride either absolutely
free or at less than the general public
pay. The Railroad Commission act
contemplates that there shall be no dis
elimination, and could there be worse
discrimination than to pile up 81 cents
on the general public go that they shall
pay enough not only for their own
riding, but for reduced rates and free
rates to others.
There are occasionally excursions
and the immense crowds which 60
upon them show the demand for lower
rates. If q reasonable permanent rate
Of two cents per mile were given all the
time, it would save the public great in
convenience from o~vercrowding and
the railroads the pressure for cars o n
these semi occasional fits Of concession.
There would be a steady stream of
travel which would be equally, and
probably more, remunerative to the
railroads Gas has been the experience
elseWhere) and it would be far more
satisfactory to the people, who after all
are the only support of the railroads.
Then the system of granting 1000.
mile tickets at 2 cents or % cents to
men who have $40 or $50 to spare and
exacting 81 cents from those who need
the reduction still more is only less
OBJECTIONABLE THAN FREE PASSES.
I commend to your consideration the
following extract from the report Of
the Railroad Commissioner Of Michi-
gan: ITO sell 1000 mile tickets at a
less rate per mile than that for q less
number of miles is a gross discrimina-
ton between passengers entitled to the
same treatment. It violates the prin-
ciples of justice the same as if 100 car
loads of freight could be carried at-a
less rate per a than 10 car loads be-
tween the same points" The doctrine
Of equal rights to all and special privi-
1eges to none"is especially applicable to
the rights of the public over a common
carrier. No man should be charged
higher for the same accommodation
because he is poorer.
I do not advocate a 3 cent per mile
rate on all railroads, but wherever one
man travels at 2 cents another should
not be charged more for the same grade
Of accommodation. The rates should
be graded, as in many States. Those
whose gross receipts exceed 81. 600 per
mile should not charge more than 2
cents per mile. Those whose gross re
ceipts are owe So, 1000, but less than
$4,000, should charge not over 81 cents
per mile, and all others not over 8 cents.
The same or similar reduction and
grading should be made in fre~ightrates,
the object being to allow a fair, just
per centage of net profits on the actual
value of the "plant."
There are 100, 600 miles of railroad in
the United States. They have been
built with great difference in cost and
through sections differing vastly In
the amount of travel and freight. In
genious tables could be made, which
by skill in grouping, would make al
m 0st any given rate the average. There
are roads charging
LESS THAN N GENT PER NILE,
and few charging as high as the high
est rate allowed in this State. The
Garman government recently sent a
commission to this country to investi-
gate our system. With German pa
tience and plodding thoroughness as to
detail, they reported that upon a fair
average 2 cents per mile was the aver
age American rate. Lloyd Briee, imam
article written in the railroad interest
In the North American Review for
March, also says that the average
American rate is two ~ cents per mile.
As far as / a judge, it is about the
figure, and considering the enhanced
value of money about the same guam
tity of cotton, corn, or labor win buy q
passage for 100 miles now at 2 cents
per mile, as would a few years back
have brought a passage for 100 miles
at 81 cents per mile.
I hone your Commission wiz see