The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-02-01

testimony of the political conduct Of the
governments own and operate their rail-
roads, and we find no such instances of
dangerous political corruption. The
danger is not from government owner
ship, but from private ownership. Gov
ernment ownership has been a success
wherever tried, and government owner
ship Of railroads in this country would
take the roads out of politics, with their
corrupting and debauching methods.
Government ownership would give us
freight rates at one-fourth the present
nearly a million men to an eight-hour
day 1t would cease OverwOrk1ng the
railroad men, and would employ double
the number now employed. 1t would
reduce passenger rates to so low a rate
that the enjoyment and luxury of travel
which the nation could and would enjoy
is beyond calculation. 1t would save
the people the gigantic sum of nearly
one billion dollars every year.
Ex-Gov William Larabee of Iowa gives
$4,000 as a liberal estimate for build
ing and equipping one mile of railroad.
An exchange states that an American
firm has recently taken contract to
build a line of railroad in Canada for
$50 per mile. Our railroads are only
half built: the overworked section hands
do the finishing.
In a recent lawsuit the Union Pacific
proved that the average cost of building
the Utah Central was s., 1898 20 per mile,
1t has been stated that the Missouri Pa
cific cost less than $4,000 per mile 1t
is self-evident that double or four-track
roads can be built for much less per mile
relatively, than single-track.
By the elimination of profit and waste,
fOur-track road can be built for an
average of $4,000 per mile. But let us
place the cost at $4,000 per mile. The
distance from Boston to San Francisco
be 1890 miles. To this add 200 miles
of siding, and we have a total of $4,000
miles, a total cost of $300,0OO,O 900 for a
f0urtrack road across the continent.
The cost to operate such a road for one
year would be as follows: Wear and
tear of road and equipment 90 per cent?
$3O,OOO,OOO; wages of 125,00O men, 81
per day for eight hours work per day,
365 days in year, $219 100000 This
gives the men an annual salary of
81, ,46O year. and as 10 men per mile is
more than double the number now en-
ployed on our railroads, we could give
each man two weeks vacation each
year. The cost of fuel oil, etc.. would
not be over $1O,0O0,0OO year-a grand
total cost of $259,OOO 900 annually for OK
pense. Let us estimate the income of
such road.
The average charge for moving a ton
OF freight 100 miles in this country is a
trif1e less than one dollar. By reducing
freight charges to 25 cents per ton per
100 miles, the increase in business would
be tremendous. 1t is a conservative
statement to place the number of freight
cars on this road at 10000 If we av-
erage 10 tons to the car, we will trans
port 2,25O,0OO tons of freight 10 miles
per day, at an income of s5e2, 500 per
day. If we reckon $50 days in a year in
winch freight is transported, we have
an income of $194,S75, 900 each wear.
Cheap passenger rates always result in
great increase in passenger travel. IF
we charge at the rate of 8 cents for eacb
Ioo miles, or across the continent for 81
1t would be low estimate to rockon
Aoo'ooV'ooo passengers year, or an an
nual income from passengers of s15O
OOO,OOO. 1t may here be stated that cuoh
rates would more than likely see doub1o
'hat number, or SOo,ooO,OOO passengers.
carried on this road each year. Such a
road would be the main route hetwoon
the Atlantic and Pacific, and would
save the people $6,O0O,OOO annua1lv Tho
express business on such a road. with
cneap rates, would earn 81 ,0OO. 900 annu-
aiiy-a total income of $685., STE, 900. and
a total net profit of S95,S75 900. Four
years OF profits would more than nav for
the entire $4,000 miles. Let the neon,o
once realize the magnificent ADVANTAGES
OF soclalistic railway, and the chanso
Aloin rallroad ownership of government
to government ownership of rai,ro.,,s
and the change will come swift ond
sure. Let us cross the continent for
one dollar.
A practical railroad man has recently
declared that a fiat rate of 5 cents for
passenger fares, regardless of distance
travelled in any one direction, would
more than pay expenses. The govern
ment has already demonstrated that II
is possible to deliver and carry letters
at cents. Passengers take care of
themselves.
1t may be noted that Great Britain
and the United States are the only two
! nrst-class nations that do not own and
operate some Of their railways. Great
Britain will nationalize her entire rail-
way system in 1905. Already Ave gov
ernments own and operate systems, and
IN comparison with private ownership
1t is proved to have been a great sue
cess in every case. Let us note a few: