The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1907-03-28
THE rwo-cENr FARE CAMPAIGN.

THE TwO-CENT FARE CAMPAIGN.
| The National Tribune was the first to
urge two-cent-a-mile.f fare for all rail-
roads east Of the Mississippi. 1t began
this agitation some Is years ago, and
now has the happiness of seeing its
pioneer work eliminate in a movement
so general that within a month a man
may ride almost anywhere between the
Atlantic and the Mississippi, and prob
ably as far west as Nebraska, upon a
general two-cent-a- mile fare. Ohio en-
acted the law last year. which the rail-
roads at first threatened to fight, but
wiser counsels prevailed and the law
was accepted. Recently Iowa, Arkan-
sas, Nebraska, Indiana, Missouri and
West Virginia have passed similar laws.
The Legislatures of Pennsylvania. North
Carolina. Illinois and Kansas have bills
for the establishment of this rate in
course Of passage.
On one hand 1t is said that the rail-
roads welcome these laws, and claim
| that under them, with the abolition of
| free passes and other favors, that their
revenues will be substantially the same.
That is. that under the three-cent rate
| about one-third Of the passengers were
carried free. They claim that they
| have virtually had a two-cent rate in
| the country east of the Mississippi for
the past 10 years. This statement is
deceptive, as it takes into account, to
make up the average two-cent rate, a
great many other items that do not
properly belong to 1t. Among these are
the low rates for thru tickets and spec
| ial rates given excursions and parties.
where fighting the proposed laws with
all the energy and ammunition that
they can command.
President Baer, of the Reading Road,
| whose utterance on the divine right"
Of coal operators to manage their mines
insists that the promises made before
election in Pennsylvania by the candi-
| dates for the Legislature are not bind
ing. To use his own language: Pre-
election promises are subject to recon-
sideration by the men who have as
sumed official responsibility" Putting
this a little more succinctly In palmer
English. 1t means that no matter what
| candidate may say when soliciting
votes he should be amenable after cleo
| ton to such arguments as a railroad
or other corporation may choose to en-.
ploy with him. There has been an at
tempt to stir up the labor unions
against the Legislatures on the plea
that 1t would cut down the wages of
railroad men.
Nearly all Of the newspapers are up
holding the two-cent rate. but some, of
them. notably the Philadelphia Public
Ledger. are In violent opposition. The
Public Ledger insists that politicians
have NO responsibilities and no right to
NEEDLE with the management of any
corporation, and that this power SO ex-
ercised L. in reality the beginning Of
the power Of absolute confiscation. This
Il where the Public Ledger shows little
acquaintance with history and little
knowledge Of the functions Of Govern
ment. From the beginning Of Govern
meats the right has been exercised to
regulate all manner OF public service.
and tho right Of the Legislatures to fix
rates for stage-coaches, ferries. hotels.
taverns and similar public utilities has
never been questioned. The only tques-
ton was that Of sound policy. At one
time the Legislatures fixed very careful
schedules a. to tavern rates. coming
down to the price OF 4 drink Of whisky.
glass Of wine and bunch Of oats for
. horse. This power has not been ex-
ercised Of late years. simply because 1t
was regarded as unnecessary. r
We need not be alarmed at the threat
OF many Of the railroads to cut or ex-
cursaons and similar reductions from
the prescribed rates. Excursions are
not Blooms to the public. but business
enterprises. The railroads favor them,
and even promote them; not because
they want the people to get out In the
country ana have q little fresh air. but
because they want to make money.
Whenever business seems slack and
more income Is desired. the railroads
got up excursions to Niagara Falls or
other points Of interest, precisely az
merchants make special sales or as
newspapers get out extra editions. II
Is good business policy. and we can rest
assured that the railroads will pursue
1t in the future just as actively as In
the past.
| In this legislation there IL no desire
on the part of the people to injurs the
railroads In the least. 1t Is simply thu
belief that Is common with regard to
all other business as well a. railroads
that the prices charged are too high
and that tho services of ths road should
DO rendered more cheaply for the ben
eft Of the whole people. All othe,
forms Of business are being Continual,
subjected to this demand on the part OF
the people. which has to be met by q
lowering of rates and q reduction OF
profits. The railroads have no right to
claim exemption from . process which
has extended to every other form OF
business. In the past quarter OF cen.
tury the grocers. the drygoods mon. the
~ IL