The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-06-28


The prospect that the Canadian gov
eminent will undertake the construc-
ton and operation of a railroad con-
Meeting the Atlantic with the Pacific
was again the topic which opened the
discussion.
Il have been looking into this mat
ter" said Judge Sawyer, land l find
that there is a strong sentiment in
Canada in favor not only of building
such road, but also of gradually ac-
Quiring by purchase all of the roads
now in private hands. 1t strikes me
as strange that so radical step can
obtain substantial support in that coun-
try and hardly be heard of in this.
There is no movement of any conse-
quence in the United States looking to
the national ownership and operation
of railroads"
There is no political movement that
way" remarked Col. Monroe. and none
of our alleged statesmen are advocating
such a policy. And yet l venture the
assertion that the vast majority of
Well-informed citizens are in favor of
the national ownership of railroads,
and there is not the slightest doubt
in my mind that an overwhelming
majority of the people would vote in
favor of such action if given a chance.
When it becomes an issue-as it will
in the near future-the tide of popular
sentiment in it's favor will crush all OPP
position. When the movement once
gets under way l doubt if either of
the great parties will openly oppose IL"
Whatever of influence l have" de-
clared Judge Sawyer. will be cast
against the purchase of the railroads
by the government. In my opinion, no
such step should be taken"
Il thoroughly agree with you" said
Col. Monroe. The Judge looked into
his face with surprise.
What do you mean?' he asked.
Your arguments and your declara-
ton do not agree"
Il never have advocated the national
ownership of existing railroad lines"
asserted the colonel. You have mis-
understood me-"
Il certainly have misunderstood
you" returned Judge Sawyer. II am
curious to know what point you are
attempting 10 make
Il hold that the government should
build and operate its own lines. which
is far different proposition from pur-
chasing those now existing" explained
Col. Monroe. Most owners of rail-
road stocks and bonds are making
frantic efforts TO sell them and the re-
cent Generalization in Wall street is
striking evidence of this fact l re-
peat what l have said in former talks
on this subject, that our railroads are
antiquated. They have not kept pace
with the progress of science or inven-
ton. This may sound strange, but it
is absolutely a fact. Our railroads are
modelled on the primitive lines estab-
lished by Stephenson and the other pi-
oneers who worked out the first loco
connective and laid the first roadbed So
vast a sum of money has been in
vested in methods now known to be
wrong that it is almost impossible for
the owners to install modern improve
ments. Our railroad system is like
Sam Crandalls house. Did you ever
see that mansion, judge?"
Not in several years." said Judge
Sawyer, smiling. TT was a wonder
full structure even then"
You should see it now. drove past
it the other day. When Sans father
died he willed to Sam the old home
stead. The house was a substantial,
old fashioned structure and it had
been deemed good enough for three
successive generations of Crandalls.
1t suited Sam all right until a real es-
tate boom set In and Sam found that
his farm was in the center of a fash
ionable neighborhood. lie was shreWd
enough to hold on to his land or let il
go in small lots at big prices. AS his
wealth increased the old house did not
look good enough to suit Sam, but it
was too good to tear down. SO Sam
compromised by adding a story and
a tower also several bay windows.
This cost a considerable sum. Then
Sam sold more lots and with the pro-
ceeds put in hard wood floors and dec
GRATED walls and ceilings. The old
house originally cost, perhaps, $4,000,
but Sans Improvements amounted to
FIVE times that amount. Then Sam got
married and added a conservatory to
the old buildings He was getting rich
very fast and realized that he had
made a mistake in attempting to make
a new house out of an old one. but it
was tool late. 1t was impossible 10
find a purchaser and business reasons
compelled Sam to occupy the house
His wealth admitted him to society
and he began to add wings to the old
farm house. For years he has been
improving his mansion. and to-day 1t
is a sight worth seeing. 1t belongs to
no school of architecture, it is I'M
slightly inconvenient. poorly ventilated,
inadequte and expensive. Sam would
like to tear it down and build new
one. He now knows how a house
should be designed and looks with envy
on the artistic and modern structures
which less wealthy men are erecting
around him. With half of the money
which his house has cost him Sam
could build a new one which would By
far surpass anything in the neighbour
hood When Sam dies his son and
heir Will make short work of the old
house with its patchwork improve
ments. He is less conservative than
the old man, but more practical"
THE men who own our railroads are
in the same position as Sam Crandan,"
continued Col. Monroe In fact they
are In a much worse position. Sam
does not depend on his house as
source OF revenue. while the railroad
investor must look 10 an obsolete sys-
TEN for his profits. II there were an in
terest wealthy enough 10 offer a fair
price for the great trunk lines now
owned or controlled practically by one
syndicate, II would not take long 20
Close tbs deal They would accept a
price which would establish some new
low records for railway stocks and
bonds. But no such purchaser comes
forward. There De- only one property
owner iH the world wealthy enough 10
gHff 70 fair price for the great trunk
hhHs how owned o. controlled pTactic-
Aiig ~ ore fyndicafe if would not
tRkf lonE io cioae fhs deal They would
sffeW price which would establish
egfns new lgW records FOR railway
f.pfks ane bonds. bgf 10 nneh pur.
etff comes fqreafq. There a. only
80 properly eensf in the world