Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-02-26
THAT 2 CENT RATE.
Moulton Houk of the Ohio Central
Before the Senate Committee.


Ohio.
Mr.. Houk spoke in part, as follows:
1t is my pleasure to represent dis
tinctively Ohio road, owned by Ohit
people and otficered by Ohioans and Il
road that must rely upon its local bus.
iness for its passenger revenues.
If you will allow me 1 will go back
for - period of ten years. AT that time
our passenger service was crude. Coy.
erlng portion of the line, we had but
Two passenger trains and ore mixed
train day. Over part of the same
territory today we have seven solid
passenger trains in each direction. ]
mention this as evidencing the demand
of the public, not for reduced rates,
because | meyer heard that demand on
the part of the public, but rather in
stead for improved service. Our time
must be shortened between important
centers, more frequent train service is
demanded, parlur cars must be run
upon our daily trains, sleeping cars are
required on night trains in which we
may perhaps average one, two or pessi-
bly, three passengers surely not pay
ing investment in itself), but COM
pliance with the ever existing demands
for better service.
For the last SIX months OF 1897 upon
81 per cent. of our passenger earnings
we received at the rate of three cents
per mile or upon rates made upon that
basis. Our excursion business which
took in the county fairs, state fairs,
church and society excursions, Grand
Army, Fourth OF July, and Md-winter
holiday rates, ETC., was 10 per cent.
Thirteen per cent was upon mileage
tickets and 10 per cent. upon coupon or
inter-line tickets. OF the latter, while
the figures have not been separated, it
is safe TO say that upon one-half of it we
received three cents per mile. This
would bring nearly 30 per cent. of our
revenue an earning upon a three ceut
basis. Statistics are dry, and ] only
burden you with these figures to evil
dence the injury TO US of the proposed
bill, should it pass.
In oIher words, upon 60 per cent. of
the business which we are now doing,
we would receive but two-thlrds of the
revenue we now get, or our loss would
be 20 per cent. OF our present entire
earnings. Let US consider the matter
of expense of handling this business.
For the nine years, 1886 to 1895, inclu-
sive, the business taken as a whole
brought return OF 2.l96 cents per pas
senger per mile. The actual expense
for handling that business for the per-
lod of nine years was 2 1913 per mile.
The average distance travelled ranged
from 10 10 26 miles during this period.
With these positive figures evidenced
by our annual report as printed which
is herewith filed with you, and which
shows the expense to US under normal
condition OF 3 l-3 cents per passenger per
mile for handling the business, what
would be the effect OF your two cent
piIIs Suh OC ohy 1uCoglOu 10 W
what the effect would be? There is
one railroad in Ohio to-day that runs
one train II day in each direction. That
train is q freight train with a passen
ger coach attached. That road is try
ing TO operate within it's income. DO
the people of Ohio who now have the
best bessenger service of any state in
the union, wish to haye this splendid
service reduced as would in such case
Inevitably be required, as roads must
operate within their income or go
bankrupt. Can the 81 ,0G0 railway en-
ployes living in Ohio consider, without
apprehension, what must OF necessity
reduce their numbers? Can the many
merchants and Others largely depend
ont upon the railway employees for their
patronage, consider this question with
any but feeling OF apprehension?
believe land | speak this from feeling
Of confidence and assurance) that the
Legislators of this grand and good state
will not willingly or wittlngly do any
such great injustice TO them. 1t has
been my personal pleasure land speak
this with feeling OF pride) to, for
number of years past, have known
intimately many members OF our leg
islative bodies. / haYe found them as
rule broad-minded and fair, anxious
to inquire thoroughly into all questions
brought before them and qeStions of
doing only justice, and with that eXper-
ience we come to you with but little
fear as to the result or outcome OF this
move. do not know what is behind
the presentation of this bill, what, If
any, class or Organization. L do not
believe, however. that ii is supported
by the business interests OF Ohio. It.
has been said that the commercial