es of hordes of agents,
solicitors, clerks, etc., etc....

"Under Government control discriminations against localities
would cease, whereas now localities are discriminated
against because managers are interested in real estate
elsewhere, or are interested in diverting traffic in certain
directions....

"Another, and an incalculable benefit, which would result
from National ownership, would be the relief of State and
National legislation from the pressure and corrupting
practices of railway corporations, which constitute one of
the greatest dangers to which republican institutions can be
subjected. This alone renders the nationalization of the
railways most desirable, and at the same time would have the
effect of emancipating a large part of the press from a
galling thraldom to the corporations....

"Estimated net annual saving to the public which would
result from Government control:

From consolidation of depots and staffs $20,000,000
From exclusive use of shortest routes 25,000,000
In attorneys' fees and legal expenses 12,000,000
From the abrogation of the pass evil 30,000,000
From the abrogation of the commission evil 20,000,000
By dispensing with high-priced managers
and staffs 4,000,000
By disbanding traffic associations 4,000,000
By dispensing with presidents, etc 25,000,000
By abolishing all but local offices,
solicitors, etc. 15,000,000
Of five-sevenths of the advertising account 5,000,000
-----------
Total savings by reason of better administration $160,000,000

"It would appear that, after yearly setting aside
$50,000,000 as a sinking fund, there are the best reasons
for believing that the cost of the railway service would be
some $310,000,000 less than under corporate management.

"That $6,000,000,000 is much more than it would cost to
duplicate existing railways will not be questioned by the
disinterested familiar with late reductions in the cost of
construction, and that such a valuation is excessive is
manifest from the fact that it is muc