The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1907-05-09

several states the remainder Of the
roads is consistent With our form OF
government and instead of leading TO
Capitalization promises TO build up
the states and thus offer sure hui
wark against Capitalization. | have
been surprised that this plan should |
be opposed on the ground that 1t
would lead TO centralization when IL
was the fear of this that led me 10 |
present the plan.
While the plan was proposed before |
/ knew of its having been tried in
other countries, | have since learned
that il has been successfully EN-
ployed in other countries, notably In
Germany, where nearly all the rail-
roads are owned by the several states.
When in Germany last summer, l
was told by member of the reichstag
that as result OF this system the
credit and influence OF the several
states had been greatly strengthened.
That the dual plan is practicable
must be evident TO any one who has
seen the manner In which the small
states of Europe handle their inter.
national ,ranic.
I Having set forth the plan and my
reasons for setting ii forth at the
time did, viii now answer your
/ questions.
1t is not necessary that there
should be many trunk lines. Some
have assumed that every line which
runs through two or more states is
trunk line, but this does not neces-
sarily follow. Only enough trunk
lines are necessary to give each state
an outlet for the merchandise shipped
over the state lines. While it is not
likely that adjoining states would
have any difficulty In making joint
traffic arrangements still the opera
ton of few federal trunk lines
would give to each state an independ-
ent position.
AS to the acquiring OF lines, ! sup.
pose that all would agree that the
system should be inaupurateo gradu-
ally. so that the government could
profit by experience. 1t is probable
that commencement would be made
with one trans-continental line. with
possible cross line. A lire from
the Atlantic the Pacific crossed 10y
line from the Lakes to the Guilt
would do more TO demonstrate the
wisdom or the folly of government
ownership than all the arguments
that could be made for or against the
system. II the government Is in
competent to attend to such matters
and too extravagant In public work
the private roads need not be afraid
OF competition. In fact, they ought
TO welcome the experiment. If, 81
the other hand, the government
shows that 1t can reduce rates, i'm
prove the service. accord better ire at
ment to employees and still earn fail
profit on the investment, who car
Justly complain If the government
road so neezes water out of stocks, re
duce private management to an hon
est basis and compels the roads L
give better rates To partons and bet
ter terms TO employees?
These experimental lines can b
bought or built whichever ii e GOV
eminent officials think best. | haV
not entered upon the details Of tn
plan or attempted TO decide upoI
what basis the government shoult
buy. II il announced its purpose {
4 buy line there would probably be
number offered and it could have 1t
choice. The government might bu
a controlling interest In line-tha
Is the way the railroad maenates dc
If it built new lire, the success o
the new line would largely determin
the value Of other lines offered 70
sale TO the nation or TO the yariou
states our commerce Is increasin
so rapidly that new line would nc
materially lessen the business OF IT.
old lines: there Is even now need Il
= more traDs-continental lines and ii
| Chicago, Milwaukee * st. Paul
building through TO the coast 10 me'
this demand The trans-continent.
roads have not been able 10 carry Il
freight offered to them and Il
| Union Pacific is earning an incon
on considerably more thar the walt
of the road
II it was thought best the goyerl
| ment could do as France did a
| thorize lines, guaranteeing fair div
dends and contributions 10 sinkir
fund which at the end OF a term
years would give the government q
title 10 the roads.
If any one doubts the financial ST.
ces of government tru nix line,
must overlook the fact that the ma
at the present rates would at on
furnish quite an item Of business.
II is not fair to compare COVER
ment roads in other countries vi
| private roads In this country. i
| public roads Of Europe are equal
the private roads OF Europe that
/ ,la nnfv fair eofu ma y{sftn Duf RAJ