New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-26
Railway Naturalization in Canada.
George Sherwood Hod0ins in The Rdilrdl
Master Mechdnic)

George Sherwood Hod0ins in The Rdilcdy
Master Mechdric)
The recent action Of the Prime Minister OF
Canada in creating a commission to con-
slider the railway situation in the Dominion
has focused attention for the time being on
the possible naturalization aspect of the
problem, as we'll as upon other more or less
related matters.
The appointment of Mr.. A. H. Smith, presi-
dent Of the New York Central, to be chair
man of this commission can only be taken
as a compliment to the United States and
to the head of one of its leading railways.
Sir George Paish, editor Of "The Statist,"
in London, is member Of the commission,
who will bring to the work much financial
and statistical knowledge of enterprises, cor
porations and economical processes, to-
gether with a wide view of future needs.
The question Of state ownership of the
railways in Canada has not yet reached the
acute stage, though many believe it will con-
tain the solution to the problem brought to
the governments attention by the condition
in which the Canadian Northern and the
Grand Trunk now find themselves.
The peculiar conditions involved in the
naturalization Of Canada's railways give an
opportunity for the adoption of unique
method of consolidation and of economical
operation, and here we venture to offer a
pertinent suggestion.
The binding of the East and West together
by one or more railway systems causes each
and every system to traverse a long stretch
of territory which is at present unpro-
ductive. North Of Lake Huron, the Georgian
Bay and Lake Superior the area is COM
posed almost entirely Of granite rock, not
having high commercial value in itself and
rendering the whole region unfit for agri-
culture or cattle raising. 1t is sparsey
populated, and offers few inducements for
settlement. At one end of this territory
stands the East seeking communication with
the prairie lands of Manitoba, the wheat re-
gions of Saskatchewan, the cattle country
of Alberta and the mineral and timber
wealth of British Columbia.
Even if only partial system Of nstionali-
cation be recommended, the lines over the
unproductive territory might pass to the
government and be operated as one section,
any track being free for all on payment of
a toll very like that exacted from ships of
all sizes and nationalities when passing
through the waters of national canal The
haulage of goods and farm products TO the
goods to the West, are in this case like the
transportation of merchandise through
tunnel in which there are no platforms or
stations, much less towns or population.
In the event of the naturalization Of the
railway lines between Winnipeg and Quebec
the tracks now owned by the c. P. r. might
be used by trains Of the Grand Trunk Pacific
or other lines, when these trains were de-
livered 10 the government to be forwarded
to destination, the government being free
10 make the best use in its judgment as TO
the four tracks between the points men
toned and charging a definite price for the
movement of freight per ton, irrespective OF
what line of rails the goods passed over
and without a differential charge biased on
mileage. This system would give the gov
eminent four tracks 10 use as it liked bu.
these it must maintain, operate and keep
open the year around for all traffic offered
on payment Of a definite revenue charge per
ton moved.
There is here presented in a necessarily
brief and fragmentary outline. method of
dealing with situation which is perhaps
UNIQUE in the annals of railroad operation.
II gives the Canadian government an I'M
paraleed opportunity for making an ex-
pertinent. not only strikingly original, but
the scheme if successfully worked out would
be of the widest possible significance
wherever state ownership is practised oi
contemplated.