The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-26

The Charleston News and Courier says.
The consolidation of the street railway
and lighting plants In Charleston means
a great deal for this city. In the first
place IL means the investment OF more
than s.. 900. 900 of outside capital in Charies-
ton. and the investment of other millions
to keep Il company, 50 10 speak. We were
told yesterday by one Of the principal
movers I'm the project that he could count
up about s. GOV. 900 that would be attracted
10 Charleston by the success Of the Batu-
more syndicatcs present undertaking. IL
means more light, better light, cheaper
light for Charleston: cheaper power lot
Industrial and manufacturing enterprises
the larger development Of our already I'M
rivalled system Of street transportation
the creation of new conditions ana inc
improvement Of old and neglected oppoi-
tunities. IL means. further the building
of modern hotels a. the seashore and IN
the CITY. and the coming Of unemployed
capital which is looking for safe and
profitable investment More caphdl
means more people, and larger ana
more prosperous city.
Here is q practical view Of a practical
question. Consolidation is the order OF
the day Cut-throat competition may re-
duce prices for a time but no perma-
rent good can come of IT, The public
cannot expect to get good service out Of
any enterprise OF this character that
does not pay. II is good business to give
good service. for that means increased
patronage. but a concern that is running
behind each month IN its operating OK
penses Is sure to give the cheapest SER
vice possible and a cheap service is a
poor service.
But suppose rival corporations which
are running at a loss, pool issues and
get together under one management so
as TO reduce expenses and increase reVe-
MUGS. and put the combination on pay
ing basis. The situation is then entirely
changed. a successful corporation Is an
aggressive corporation. and is always
striving to increase its business by hold
ing out inducements to the public. 1t
bids for public patronage by offering the
best possible article at the lowest possible
price. whether that be sugar. orRil' or
tobacco, or street-car ride.
our Charleston contemporary says that
the combine in that city means better
light. cheaper light, an improved street.
car service, and progress and develop
ment all along the line. Who is hurt by
this? Possibly some of the officers Of the
old companies will lose their positions.
But as for the general public there is
no question, in the opinion of the News
and Courier. that their interests will be
promoted. The old motto of Democracy
is the greatest good TO the greatest mum
Der. and any fair-mnded man who viii
take the trouble TO investigate will come
to the conclusion that that is almost in
variabiy the rule with such c0nsolida-
ton as that which has recently come 10
pass in Charleston.
There is a great deal Of Prejudice against
combinations, and il is popular TO abuse
them. But The Times tries to deal fairly
with all questions. and We know that the
combines are not half so black as they
have been painted. They have come in
the natural way as a necessity OF the
age and the state that fights them and
tries TO keep them out is simply standing
in the way OF its own progress.
Politicians may rave, and the people who
are misled may roar, but the fact is as
we have stated IT,