The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-11-01
The SWISS GOVERNMENT p,1D
CHASE RAILROADS.

-
The election to settle the long And
bitterly discussed question of The mr.,
chase of the five main railroad lines n
Switzerland by the government Was
held yesterday Sunday, Feb. 20sR
and by $50 o'clock in the evening tia
general result was known in everv
town and city in the Republic. Tho
news was given to the government All.
soIutely free of charge, which demon.
strates the fact that Switzerland has
one Of the finest telephone system in
the world. 1t is owned by toe CIV.
eminent and operated in the interest
of all the people.
The total number Of votes cast was
$50, 1913. each citizen above the age of
81 having the right of suffrage. Or
this number of voters, 1884. 382 were in
favor of and 176. 511 against the our.
chase, making a majority in favor Of
Government ownership 207, 81. The
roads to be purchased are as follows
JurR Simplon, Swiss Northeast, Swiss
Central, United Swiss, and Gorhard,
On the 6 n Of December, 1891, the
question of the purchase of the Swiss
Central Railroad was voted upon. and
the vote cast was 400, SEQ. The nun,
Der in favor Of the purchase was $780,.
SEQ. and the number opposed was 800.
900; the maj 1rity againt the purchase
was 159. 500. Thus it will be seen that
there has been, ince 1891, a great
change in the minds of the people Of
s vi z3rland concerning the govern,
ment ownership of railroads, and this
change has been brought about by
thorough discussion Of the subj2Ciin
the press and on the platform. Never
before in the history of the R public
has such a bitter contest been wagod,
and never before has the government
received such a large majority.
The amounts estimated as being the
cost of construction and equipment Of
the five main lines are as follows: Jur8
Simplon, $54 494 OLO; Swiss Northeast
$44 $50, 900; Swiss Central, $28 200, OW.
Total, 1913, $50, 600. The total length
is 1 700 miles, and the amount thai the
government will have to pay for these
roads is estimated atabout 5000, 900 600.
The total receipts in 1897 were $40, 722,.
900. An average of 5 percent divi
dends has been declared during the
past five years. The number of per
sons employed is about %, 900. Tho
result of the election is being cee
brated with great enthusiasm through
out the country Jas. T. Dubois,
Consul General St. Gall, Feb 81, 1898.
When Americans can eas ~vIlIfyiDg
each other in politil campaigns to gt
into control of effairs and unite il
pushing the best interests of all We
may see such an election in the Ualted
States. How much better this sort Of
an election under the light of exhau'
tive discussion, and putting the rail
roads to their legitimate use the &C..
commodation of the public at 4 LITTLE
more than cost than to have to support
a corporation in ownership OF public
franchises in squeezing wealth from
the public. See recent railway lease
transactions in this State for a co..
trast to this recent Swiss ac4ionaa vel.
as to the old level headed eta -esman
snip which built the North C4rolDS|
railroad.
But also notice that the Swiss go'I
eminent also own and operates IbS
telephone system which even O8foS
the evening of the election day hS'
passed could make the result know
to most Of the people.
This is a notable event and our Peg
pie should ALL know of it and re9oIoT
{ O secure this same kind of service .
home In railray, telegraph ana '"'
phone service.