The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-08-12
ENGLAND TO
OWN RAILWAYS
From the Philadelphia Pubic Ledger.

From the Philadelphia Pubic Ledger.
Recognized as the first authority in Eng
who is now on one commission examining
railway conditions in ireland and on an
other formulating a standard report Tor
English railways, spoke at the University
ways and their public relations.
Government ownership and operation of
railroads in England is an early probable
ity, in the opinion of w. M. Acworth, the
recognized first authority in Great Britain
on railway problems. Such was the con-
an address delivered at the Wharton
School OF Finance and Commerce by invi-
tation of the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr.. Acworth is in this country for a
short stay, and through A. j. County, as
sistant to the third vice president Of the
Pennsylvania railroad, 1t was arranged for
him to make the address. He had con-
cluded his ak when Mr.. County, evidently
thinking to a a point in support of
railroad consolidation generally, asked:
''Is not the practical effect of the ANAL
gamation' Of English railway systems
largely to reduce wasteful competition and
to perform operative services more eco
nomically, and will this not likely result in
some benefit to the public?"
Yes replied Mr.. Acworth, "it should.
IL the public gets it. but If the companies
raise dividends to their stockholders from
8 or 3zalto 5 per cent before they begin to
think OF the public, you cannot very well
blame the directors
Mr.. Ackworth showed that parliament
Axes in advance the capital and location
of English railways. He said that the
functions of the railway commission are
purely judicial, that the maximum rates
allowed by parliament are generally con-
sidered reasonable, that rates are not low
cred because 1t is hard to get them up
again.
The board of trade, he asaid,scould do no
more than express an opinion on rates, n
that as this is done privately, 1t is with
out much public influence. So Mr.. Ac-
worth said a railroad can take trains off,
slow them down, close stations, make its
cars uncomfortable, and there is no public
power to prevent.
Once, he said, competition improved the
service of English railroads, but lately
competition has been disappearing.
He explained how the entire eastern half
of England is without competition among
the railroads.
1.-THE thought in the minds OF English
railway managers" said Mr.. Acworth, .Is
to form several combinations, and later to
amalgamate these and pool traffic. We
have no means to meet such q condition.
but it is traditional in England that par
lament takes care of private interests.
II don't see just how detailed control
of the English railways can be taken,' he
continued. but there is no question that
a big impetus to what Is already a strong
force in favor of state ownership has been
given by the ~amalgamations to reduce rail-
way competition and service.
II think state ownership of railways will
soon be an issue in England and there is
no particular force against 1t.
Railway shareholders and directors
have no reason to be unfavorable to state
control. in view ofsthe unsatisfactory con-
dition Of railway investments and the IA
vorablc terms which the government re-
Gently gave in taking over water com.
panies. The railway employees would be
favorable; f%reighters are generally dissat-
isfed with service or rates, and the cham
bers OF commerce would be pretty sure
neutral"