The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-11-16
THE RAIL COMBINE.

THE placing of the operation OF the leading
Western railways in the hands of combined
Il management, in which their stocks are merged
in common issue, is momentous action, the effect
OF which will be watched with interest by the whole
country. There is no doubt that such operating
system will increase dividends by its superior
economy If it seek such increase, however, by rails
ing rates it will provoke a of legislation COM
pared with which all of the granger and antfalroad
legislation of the past will to have been pro-
rail and friendly.
Ever since 1860 we have had in smaller field just
what has now taken possession of large field.
Prior to that time roads leading the direction
were not what are called trunk lines" They
belonged entirely separate and often antagonistic
corporations They had no common time schedule,
nor interchangeable checks and tickets. The rail
travel itself was great advance in speed and COM
fort upon the Concord COACH but its delays the in
convenience of changing trains rechecking baggage
and taking fresh tickets would be endured by
the travelling public The first consolidation of link
lines into a trunk system occurred on the Chicago
and Northwestern and its success stimulated rapid
imitation so that when the first overland roads were
built It was the obvious intention of Congress that
they should be trunhed and under management.
When these consultations occurred freghts and
fares became cheaper, because the many operating
stats were consolidated into one and the economy
of operation was bestowed upon the public.
The recent grand combination is but the extension
of the old principle of consolidation and that its SUI
perior economy will at once appear know by what
has taken place in California since the prac-
teal combination into one trunk line of the
Southern Pacific and Union Pacific roads, If
the combine is contented to get its profit
out OF this economy and, it increases to divide it
with the patrons of the road by cheaper rates the
popular objection to such aggregation will be ap-
peased it in the of the old consolidation
OF links into trunks. If the opposite result the op-
position may be soon inaamed into measures of re-
sistance that will try the strength of the combined
forces. The decision of the Supreme Court affirm
ing the constitutonality of the interstate
law confers wide and generous powers upon Con-
gress and their exercise in restraint of such conf
bination as this will be easier than it has proved
when brought to bear upon large number of com
peting roads.
In addition TO the power of Congress that of the
States remains unimpaired over all State commerce
If properly and judcially exercised this power of the
States through which the combined lines pass is of
immense force, and that it will be invoked let no man
doubt
The men who have made this combination say that
they are business men, engaged in railroading and
not in politics. If they consider wisely and well the
business aspect Of their responsibility and recognize
their community Of interest with the people they will
not need to go into politics. Otherwise they will
find it impossible to keep out.