New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-25
THE TWO-CENT FARE BILL.

The passage of the two-cent fare bill at Al
bany gives us a near view Of that country
crusade. We are aware of no public demand for
the law in this state We do not remember
that any newspaper has favored it. No political
party. except the Independence League, de-
manded II, and we know of no reason why the
demand of the Independence League should
be taken in anything but a Pickwickian sense.
Yet. despite this public Indifference, the
measure went through with little debate and
inconsidera BILE opposition. for no reason that we
can conceive Of except that it is one OF those
measures that 1t is perfectly safe 10 put up to
the Governor" If the conditions attending the
passage of the bill in this state are typical Of
those attending similar legislation in other
states. the incident reveals how little real public
demand there has been for this law through
out the country and how little popular hostility
TO railroads the general placing of 1t on the
statute books has reflected.
Probably nearly onethird of the states have
this year passed two-cent fare laws. They
range from sparsely settled states like Arkan-
sas and Nebraska. to thickly settled ones. like
New York and Pennsylvania. This fact in
itself shows how absurd and illogical this piece
of legislative rate making has been. If the
tWo-cent rate is just In New York and Penn
sylvania, il is much too low in Nebraska and
Arkansas, and, in fact, in every other state
that has adopted 1t. II the two-cent rate is
proper in Arkansas and Nebraska. we should
have one-cent rate in this populous region.
There probably has never been more absurd
law making than this attempt to establish a
uniform passenger rate throughout the coun-
try, irrespective of traffic conditions
To fix a uniform rate throughout state
like New York or Pennsylvania is just as I'M
reasonable as 10 do so throughout the nation
Passengers can be carried more cheaply within
fifty miles Of this city than in the less popu-
lous rural counties. If a railroad extends
through both, it will raise the fares OF its com
muters, who are now paying less than two
cents O mile, In order TO lower the fares Of
other passengers TO the legal maximum. This
is no idle threat of the railroads. Such a
change is based on. sound business principles
II one part Of roads business is not paying
1t must make up the losses on another part
The Reading Railroad has already resorted 10
this e1pedient in complying with Pennsylvania's
twO-cent fare law. Railroads operating in Ohio
which has had a two-cent rate for a year. re-
port loss on the carrying of passengers there
and economies are necessary 80 make up the
deficit. There are various other ways Of doing
this besides putting upon the commuters the
burden of the improbable traffic The ser
vice may be reduced Fewer passenger trains
a day where the passenger traffic is light will
acCOHpllSu SredL sHFlES. A slower running
Of trains results in some economy. In West
ern states the railroads are planning to do
both these things in order to operate success
fully under the new law. improvements in
rolling stock may be delayed. Old locomotives
and cars may be kept longer in use. Thus in
sparsely settled states q two-cent rate means
practically two-cent service. Now, what is
true of Western states would be true of rural
lines and branches In this state Part of the
loss on such lines would be paid by COM
muters and part by freight at increased rates
but some OF It would be prevented by in
eVtteble economies--that is, by cheapening the
service. A two-cent rate would mean two-cent
service In the rural districts
Probably In many Western states this law
will be set aside by the courts as confiscatory
1t may be more difficult to show that It is
SO in populous states like New York and Penn
sylVania Here 1t is rather meddlesome than
anything else, and 1t Is meddlesome In a way
that will do no one any good. Any rate leg
islation Is especially unnecessary now that the
public utilities bill has passed and the state
has provided machinery for the reasonable
consideration and regulation Of rates. The pas
senger fare should be left TO the new commits
sion for determination.