New-York tribune., 1908-02-04
FOR FEDERAL RAILROAD.
". !. Coombs Wonts Government to
Build Trdnsc0ntinentdt Line.

T A movement has been started by ex-CongIess-
man William ]. Coombs, president OF the sou'h
Brooklyn Savings Institution and presld dent-elece
of the Municipal Art Society Of New York, to OBJ
tain general expression of the sentiment Of the
country in regard TO having the United States gov
ernn1ent build a great transcontinental railway
from the Atlantic the Pacific Ocean He hopes
early day 70 have a bill introduced IN Con
gress TO obtain estimates OF cost and decide upon
the pracucability OF the scheme. On part Of this
great public highway It is also proposed 10 con-
struct transcontinental automobile road, extend
ing from ocean TO ocean.
M Coonbs, on his retirement from the SD Con-
gress was appointed by President Cleveland gov
ernulent director of the Union Pacific Railroad.
with special commission 10 devise q method to
collect the debts OF more than sl24oo"n cue the
government from the various roads This he did,
and in studying how collect them he became
conversant with ths railroad conditions OF the
West and acquired knowledge OF the great I'M
portance Of their development to the country.
Regarding the movement Mr.. Coonbs made the
following statement yesterday:
The United States government has undertaken 10
the general interests Of co7rInerce. This has met
people, who recognize II is q work OF such magnl-
enterprise or. if constructed would be al cost
"a aco81 IN f he e1orous dfference IN the rate
OF interest the bonds required TO raise the money
when it is completed any shipowner or any COM
pany organized for the purposes OF Transportation
lished regulations and paying reasonable tolls. It
has occurred that i IL IS proper and legfu-
mate for the government TO build waterway
through land through which the owners OF vessels
can and access from one ocean TO the other II is
equally legitimate for il TO build steel way over
land which any freighter OF existing railroad or
railroad hereafter be constructed could, upon
complying with strict regulations and paying rea-
sonabie tells, transport its cars
I wish il 10 be understood that not in favor
Of government ownership and operation OF rail-
roads. but that ! reason why the govern
Trent should not build and in the general in
Lerest Of commerce such JIackage as Is needed to
Is increasing wants OF the country, which the
railroads al the present tine seem TO be unable TO
supply.
Mr. Hill Of the Great Northern, IN a speech de-
lIVe-eG time which attracted universal
attention made the statement that there not
enough available capital IN the United States IN
the world 70 construct sufficient roads 10 meet the
increasing wants Of this country Mr.. Shaw, eH-
Secretary Of the Treasury, also IN speech made
the statement that in case OF war threatening our
ties TO transport the army munitions OF war and
supplies for the navy. When you consider that
al he roads west OF the Missouri River single
track roads, Secretary Shaws statement seems
would for the time being block the trenspor
taJion facilities OF that section Of the country.
n regard TO the relative cost of the construction
Of such trackage by the government or private
rs in believing that If built under the super
vision Of army engineers the would be enor-
1lously less and the waste OF The resources of the
country diminished.
11r. Coou7bs thought that such q steel way
through Pennsylvania would settle the question Of
the coal monopoly, II would enable the owners
CT Independent mines be independent OF the rail-
road combinations which now control their freight