Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1900-01-26

rirh r'ai au agreed l-fc-uls.- al the
total competitive hu>iu-ss, The dis
eAsr-- II al suI-rfluuus assistants Ia
the heads Of departments Of the iudi-
yliual roads. Later the head II these
departments mav be- abolished. aud the
work dome hy clerks Who will report L. +
the two joint as-ucir>.
The establishment In New York of a .
hoard Of control. made az ii persons I
representing the Vanderbilt. prnu>yl- /
vauia. Morgan aud Hartman properties. /
the rulings OF tits hoard ON all quts- /
iiau> 4" L.. final The abandonment Of
q number Of through fast passenger
trains. put in >.-ryic,. the la>t lew year,
- the result oi sharp competition. The
establishment ut common schedules for
passenger trains between Chicago and
New York. aud between all of the priu-
ciI,al terminals uf the combination roads
ia the territory east al this city and ~.
Louis. The abandonment OF all fast
freight trains. aud the fixing Of common
time for th-Sr trains between cumpeti-
tive terminals
Stable rates and the reduction of rN-
p-n>-> are said to hr the main objects OF
the move. And it i said that railroad
interests are bound Ia make the scheme
success if they have t" purchase every
road in the country which stands in the
WAY of it. The move at first glance
looks plausible. To let freight and pas
/ S,nger traffic seek their natural channels
unoh>tructrd lay contentious competition
would save very great EXPENSE and III
convenience to carriers. and would save
the extra cost and danger from rushing
t freight and passengers 10y rival lines. 1t
would promote reasonable aud uniform
rates OF speed and enable transportation
To- l,. made at lower rates in the aggregate
and with much greater safety to the
patrons of the roads. This is one side
of the subject aud the Theoretical view
in part Now how will il work in prac-
tice: The solicitors Of the various
roads are not entirely useless to the pat
ronS. They are Il source al information
to persons doing business with the roads
enlightruing them As to how and where
to make trausportatiou> to the best adj
vantage aud aid in making aud presrry-
ing harmonious relations between the
roads and their patrons as we'll as III
seeing that the latter arr Justly treated.
To take away the present sharp cuml~-
titiou might produce an apathy and in
difference in prompt and speedy trans
portation. 1t might destroy Il prompt
and faithful service which sharp com
petition now holds carriers up to. Ii it
prevents outside speculation in the husi-
ness OF roads and unjust discrimination
in rates SO far it will accomplish much
good; bat the effect of having all the
roads in the country formed into one or
more vast Syndicatcs to fix rates uure-
strained hy rivalry our limited kuowl.
edge of the subject does not enable us 10
Judge Of. We can only say it must be a
feature entitled to careful consideration
1t is certainly an arrogatiun of great
power, and it is usually considered es
srntial that men having great authority
should he under such restrictions ol
amenahle in some form to the extent ot
securing the common interest and safet \
of the general public. OF course any
one can readily See that the world is ful
OF opportunities 10 handicap and d"trau,
the great transportation companies il
the country, and if they had an oppor
tunitv to relieve themselves Of certain
evil conditions they could do their lin,
! of business much more economical 10
themselves and the public. hut if the,
should effect all the saving contempla
ted and then expose the public to TIN
) imposition Of exolbtant rates and us
those savings, gains and exactions t,
build up a huge monopoly approachn!
national magnitude the consequences ar
quite obvious. 1t is very easy to Sc
what might he, int what might be no
. always is.