RAILWAY CONSOLIDATION. 



537 



each case. While, on the Massachusetts roads, the average annual ton- 

 nage is thirteen per cent more, the earnings are nineteen per cent more, 

 and the average difference in rates is T y of a cent more than on the 

 Central Pacific system. 



This brings us to the unexpected conclusion that, had the rates 

 charged by the Central Pacific prevailed with the Massachusetts roads, 

 it would have effected an annual saving to that State of $786,923, and 

 this, notwithstanding the fact that the through, freight, upon which 

 the lowest rates always prevail, was fifty-eight per cent of the whole 

 traffic in Massachusetts,* while upon the Central Pacific f it was but 

 thirty-nine per cent. 



It may be of interest to bring the affairs of this great corporation 

 home to its own State, and see how it compares there with other roads 

 which are independent of it. 



In California, in 1878 \ (the last year for which statistics have 

 been published), there were 1,170 miles of road, of which 844 miles 

 were controlled by the Central Pacific, and 326 miles were of small 

 roads, none of which were of sufficient magnitude to create envy or 

 gain the appellation of monopoly. The average rates of eleven of 

 these shorter roads, representing 248 miles, are stated by the State 

 Commissioner of Transportation, from whose report I take the follow- 

 ing figures : 



Table of Rates on Railroads not controlled by the Central Pacific Rail- 

 road Company, reported by the Commissioner of Transportation 

 of Calif ornia, for the Year 1878. 



Miles of 



road 

 operated. 



Table II. 



247-87 



NAME OF KOAD. 



Black Diamond Coal Company 



California Northern 



Pittsburg 



San Francisco and Northern Pacific 



Vaca Valley and Clear Lake 



Mendocino 



Nevada County Narrow-Gauge 



San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria Valley. 



Santa Cruz 



Santa Cruz and Felton 



Visalia 



AVERAGE BATE. 



Freight, 

 per ton. 



Per 



passenger. 



Table XV. 



Cents. 



Total miles. 



Average rates 



33 

 5 

 9 



7 

 7 

 16 

 15 

 9 

 8 



33 



86 



87 

 89 



19 



12-46 



Cents. 



8 



7 



3 

 8 



S 

 8 

 7 



10 



33 



50 

 91 



14 

 50 



G-82 



1 For the Visalia Railroad, the average rate for freight stated in the report of 

 the commissioner is li cent. This, upon examination, proves to be an error. In the 

 same report, p. 183, the highest rate is stated at 68/,- cents, the lowest at 2 cents, and 

 the average li cent. This is, of course, impossible. In the report of the previous 



* " Massachusetts Reports." f " Central Pacific Railroad Annual Reports." 



\ Report of Commissioner of Transportation, Table II. 



