434 THE GROUNBSWEtt. 



they would be in no better condition to reduce than are the 

 present directors. 



This experiment has been tried in Europe. It has worked 

 successfully in Belgium. That kingdom is densely popu 

 lated, and comprises a total area much less than half of any 

 single Western State. They have all the railroads the coun 

 try needs. Only small branch lines, or &quot; by-ways,&quot; as they 

 are termed, will be built. The same limitations apply to 

 Great Britain and France. The State can easily build these 

 little side-lines. Our country does not afford a parallel 

 case. Does any reformer wish to see the government un 

 dertake the construction of a trunk line across half a dozen 

 States ? What a chance for jobs and fat contracts ! One 

 Credit Mobilier operation should satisfy us. 



As owner of so vast a property, the government would be 

 obliged to employ a retinue of skilled officers to supervise it, 

 and see that the lessees maintained it properly. The im 

 portance of their duties would command large salaries, 

 which, considering the number needed, would draw heavily 

 upon the receipts from the lessees. The economy of the 

 plan is, therefore, open to considerable doubt. Another pos 

 sibility might arise. However admirably the terms of the 

 lessees should be drawn, in view of the great political influ 

 ence the companies could wield, these conditions might be 

 modified. Common interest would dictate that their polit 

 ical power should be ranged on the side of the government; 

 and, when the millions of railroad employees are taken into 

 consideration, this view of the question becomes alarming 

 and sufficient of itself to defeat the scheme. 



The subject carries us still further. Railway enterprise 

 has extended to numerous accompanying undertakings to 

 car shops and locomotive works, to stations, warehouses, 

 docks, harbors, vessels, transit steamers, bridges, and other 



