Page:The truth about the railroads (IA truthaboutrailro00elli).pdf/139

Rh it do any one in the United States if locomotives are moved from Schenectady, New York, to China via United States railroads and Puget Sound rather than via New York and the Suez Canal, even if the rate from Schenectady to Puget Sound on the locomotives destined to China is less than on those used at Puget Sound, and even if the rate fluctuates day by day or week by week, to meet competition of the Suez Canal or the German maker of locomotives?

What, then, are the complaints? Those charged with the duty of studying and administering the great railroad business of the country receive complaints of various kinds. West of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers they may be classified as follows. In the order of their relative importance:—

1. Complaint of insufficient facilities. This, in the growing, progressive, and expanding states of the West, is a steady and constant complaint, and it requires much time, money, and energy for the railroad-owners and officers to keep the supply of transportation up to the Rh