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336 METHODS OF SOClAL REFORM.
possibly to underbid competition by road, canal, or steamboat.
But taking it as a whole this tad may bo described BB devoid
of all method. It seems to be a purely arbitrary series of
numbers, evolved perhaps from the brains of railway magnates
arranging a compromise at eom0 conference of the northern
directors.
To uhow, however, how the parcel chargee compare with
the various other charges made by the railway companies, I
have convtructed the following table from authentic data
furnishoil by the railway t,imc tt&blCS, tho reports of railway
commissions, ctc. Tho tablo rofers to no railway in particular,
and the data wero selected almost at random.
Small parcels .
Nedium Large . . . . .
Newspaper parcels . .
I’sssengcrs’ excess luggage .
Commercial travellcrs’ luggage
First class passenger fare .
Second clava pnsscnger fmc T’Lird class passenger fare .
Lirc poultry .
Wshtorcrcss Milk . . High class goods .
Ncdium goods . . .
.
Low class go01ls 8 .
Coal trffic, lomcst ratc. .
a.
. . . . 200
. . loo
4 0
. . 100
. . G 6
I 3:;
. . . . 17;
. . . .
. . .
12s
”
. 1 3
100
. . . , . . 33
. 1 2
. . ‘3.’
* . < -
. . 13
. . . . I
. . . .
This is an extraordinary table, and shows what latitude the
traffic mnnngcrs allow themselves in taxing or assisting various
trades. Like protectionist statesmen, they think t,he traffic
cannot go on unless t,heir vigilance eases or multipliss the
burden. Our ancient system of duties, and bounties, and
drawbacks, is fRithfully reproduced in our railway tariffs, with
their classes, and exceptions, and exemptions, and special rates,
and endless minute distinctions.
An examiuatiou of the table will rendrr it quite evident
that the railway companies have deliberately treated the small
parcel traffic as R close monopoly which they can tar with any
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