The Railroad Question: A historical and practical treatise on railroads, and remedies for their abusesLarrabee, William
History
The Railroad Question: A historical and practical treatise on railroads, and remedies for their abuses
Larrabee, William
Railroads; Railroads -- United States; Railroads and state -- United States
Among financial journals, so many of which are devoted to the support of
vicious and demoralizing methods, and are ever ready to defend whatever
is bad in corporation management, it is refreshing to find occasionally
one that exposes abuses and favors the earning of legitimate dividends,
and it is a pleasure to quote the following from the June number, 1892,
of the _Banker's Magazine_:
"There are two widely differing theories concerning the
management of railroads in this country; one theory is that
profits should be acquired from fluctuations in the stock,
and the other is that the profits should be acquired in the
old-fashioned way, by performing a useful service and
receiving a reward therefor, to be divided among the
stockholders in the way of a dividend. These two theories
are so different in their practical operation that they give
rise to the most diverse consequences. Of course, many
railroads are not dividend-earning, and with these the
profits to the managers and those who are allied with them
must come from stock fluctuations and from whatever sucking
arrangements can be devised whereby their vitality or
sustenance can be acquired by the favored few who are in
control. Unfortunately, there are many railroads in this
condition, the history of which is too well known to require
description. Once in control, the way is easy to retain it
and to make money by a thousand devices which ingenious and
unscrupulous managers are constantly planning and putting
into operation.
"The consequences of the other theory are as different, both
to the corporate property and to the public, as can be
imagined. When a railroad is properly managed and earning
dividends, a policy of development is adopted, having for
its end the natural expansion of the property in harmony
with the growth of the country, the needs of business and
the desires of the people. The fruits of such a policy may
not be apparent at once, but they inevitably come, and, when
they are reaped, are enjoyed and appreciated by all. Only by
such a policy can our roads ever become great, commanding
the confidence of the people, and fulfilling their highest
uses; in short, only by such a policy can a railroad be
brought to a high degree of perfection.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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