East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-11-13
UNITED STATES INVESTI-
GATES AUSTRALIAN ROADS.

GATES AUSTRALIAN ROADS.
Special Agent Harry r. Burril, who
has been sent by the consular depart
ment of the United States government
to Australia to study the railway
question, writes as follows in a pre-
liminary report just made to the de-
partment Of the management of Aus
tralian railway systems by the gov
ernment:
The railroads are under government
control as is the case with all the
railways of the commonwealth. The
advantages or disadvantages of such
ownership will he more fully dis.
cussed in future report, after the
various states have been visited and
an investigation has been made of the
operation of the system throughout
Australia.
Although western Australia's rail-
way history begins at a date consid-
erably later than that of any of the
eastern states of the commonwealth,
1t is according to a competent author
ity, as regards rapidity of construction
parison with other systems.
As distinguished from previous con-
ditions. when the requirements and
agricultural products of the older set
Elements formed the staple source OF
railway revenue this more particular
ly applies to the last decade when the
wonderful gold discoveries in new dis
tricts rapidly developed a large and
profitable business. The first railway
line of the colony connecting Gerald
ton with the copper mining district Of
Northampton was opened in 1879, and
since then nearly 1000 miles of rail
have been laid. The standard gauge
is three feet six inches.
The administration of all govern
ment railways open for traffic is in
the hands of the commissioner of rail-
ways. Under a parliamentary enact
ment of 1904 his responsibilities and
powers were fully defined. and the
practical operation of the department
was removed as far as possible from
the control of politicians.
For the purpose of ordinary organi-
zation and operation the department.
/ - blNlutu lllNp l'ul ilNlSlpllS, lldllltlS,
| the administration or general the
traffic, the locomotive, and the ways
and works the heads of which are
| practical railroad men and regarded
as well equipped for the positions. The
| average number of men permanently
| employed is 5000.
The capital expended on the lines
/ now open amounts to approximately
| $5O,OO0,0OO, and the percentage of
! profit on their operation is between 4.6
and per cent on the money invested.
Accidents are infrequent and have
rarely resulted in loss of life.
The telegraph and telephone sys-
TENS are also owned by the govern
ment, and have steadily grown in
size and efficiency since their estab-
lishment. In western Australia there
are now approximately 175 telegraph
stations and 10000 miles of wire. In
connection with the telephone eX-
change over 5000 miles of wire are
in operation, while the railway tele-
phone lines operate nearly 5000 miles
of wire.
Under the constitution of western
! AuSlIdlld lIe tNtCullNt ppNtl - III
vested in the governor, who is ap-
pointed by the crown, and who acts
Y under the advice of cabinet The
officers Of the cabinet are the minis
ter for lands, colonial treasurer, min
lister of agriculture. minister Of mines
and railways, minister of commerce
and labor, minister for works, attor-
ney general and colonial secretary.
The premier, who forms the ministry,
selects his own portfolio. Parliament
is composed of legislative council,
resembling the senate of an American
state legislature, and a Legislative as
sembly, whose powers are similar to
those of the lower house. Members
Of the state cabinet receive $4,000 a
T year. and members of the state par
Lament are paid $1,000 a year.
The legislative council consists of
80 members, and the legislative as
sembly of so members. The cities Of
western Australia are governed by a
mayor, councillors and town officers.