Part 24

“For all Cotton and other Wool, Hides, Drugs, Groceries and, manufactured goods not exceeding Eleven Shillings per Ton.

“For all Wines, Spirits, Vitriol, Glass, and other hazardous goods not exceeding Fourteen Shillings per Ton.

“And for any distance short of the whole length, not exceeding a rateable proportion of such several sums according to distance.

“And for all Coals, Coke, Culm, Charcoal and Cinders carried or conveyed along the same or any part thereof any sum not exceeding Twopence Halfpenny per Ton per Mile.

“And for all Persons, Cattle and other Animals, such reasonable charge as shall from time to time he determined by the said Company.”

In 1835 the Toll Clauses sanctioned by Parliament were generally as follows:--

Great Western Railway Act, 1835, 5 and 6 William IV., cap. 107, s. 164, 166, 167.

“And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the said Company to demand, receive, and recover, to and for the Use and Benefit of the said Company, for the Tonnage of all Articles, Matters and Things which shall be conveyed upon or along the said Railway, any Rates or Tolls not exceeding the following: (that is to say,)

“For all Dung, Compost, and all sorts of Manure, Lime, and Limestone, and Salt, and all undressed materials for the Repair of Public Roads or Highways, the Sum of One Penny per Ton per mile;

“For all Coals, Coke, Culm, Charcoal, Cinders, Building, Pitching, and Paving Stones Dressed, Bricks, Tiles, Slates, Clay, Sand, Ironstone, Iron Ore, Pig, Bar, Rod, Hoop, Sheet, and all other similar Descriptions of wrought Iron and Castings not manufactured into utensils or other Articles of Merchandise, the Sum of Three Halfpence per Ton per Mile;

“For all Sugar, Grain, Corn, Flour, Dyewoods, Earthenware, Timber, Staves, and Deals, Metals (except Iron), Nails, Anvils, Vices, and Chains, the Sum of Twopence per Ton per Mile;

“For all Cotton and other Wools, Hides, Drugs, manufactured Goods, and all other Wares, Merchandise, Articles, Matters, or things, the Sum of Threepence per ton per Mile.

“And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the said Company, and they are hereby empowered to provide Locomotive or Stationary Engines or other Power for the drawing or propelling of any Articles, Matters, or Things, Persons, Cattle, or Animals, upon the said Railway, and also along and upon any other Railway communicating therewith, and to receive, demand, and recover such Sums of Money for the Use of such Engines or other Power as the said Company shall think proper, in addition to the several other Rates, Tolls, or Sums by this Act authorised to be taken.

“And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the said Company, and they are hereby authorised, if they shall think proper, to use and Employ Locomotive Engines or other Moving Power, and in Carriages or Wagons drawn or propelled thereby to Convey upon the said Railway and also along and upon any other Railway communicating therewith, all such Passengers, Cattle and other Animals

Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, Articles, Matters and Things, as shall be offered to them for that Purpose, and to make such reasonable Charges for such Conveyance as they may from Time to Time determine upon, in addition to the several Rates or Tolls by this Act authorised to be taken: Provided always, that it shall not be lawful for the said Company or for any Person using the said Railway as carriers to charge for the Conveyance of any Passenger upon the said Railway any greater Sum than the Sum of Threepence Halfpenny per Mile, including the Toll or Rate hereinbefore granted.”

By the Great Western Railway Company’s Act, 1847, the power of the Company in regard to rates and charges was reduced and limited,

“For all Coals, Coke, Culm, Cannel, Ironstone, Iron Ore, Pig Iron, Bar Iron, Rod Iron, Sheet Iron, Hoop Iron, Plates of Iron, Slabs, Billets and Rolled Iron, Limestone, Lime, Bricks, Salt, Sand, Fire-clay, Cinders, Slag and Stone, per ton per mile One Halfpenny; and if conveyed in carriages belonging to the Company an additional sum per ton per mile not exceeding One Farthing.

“For all Dung, Compost, and all sorts of Manure, and all undressed materials for the Repair of Public Roads or Highways, Charcoal, Stones for building, pitching, and paving, Tiles, Slates, and Clay (except Fire-clay), and for Wrought Iron not otherwise specifically classified herein, and for heavy Iron Castings, including Railway Chairs per ton per mile, not exceeding One Penny; and if conveyed in carriages belonging to the Company an additional sum per ton per mile not exceeding One Farthing.

“For all Sugar, Grain, Corn, Flour, Hides, Dyewoods, Earthenware, Timber, Staves, Deals and Metals (except Iron), Nails, Anvils, Vices and Chains, and for light Iron Castings per ton per mile Twopence; and if conveyed in carriages belonging to the Company an additional sum per ton per mile not exceeding One Halfpenny.

“For Cotton and other Wools, Drugs and Manufactured Goods, the sum of Twopence Halfpenny per ton per mile; and if conveyed in carriages belonging to the Company an additional sum per ton per mile not exceeding One Halfpenny.

“For Fish and all other Wares, Merchandise, Articles, Matters or Things, per ton per mile not exceeding Threepence; and if conveyed in carriages belonging to the Company an additional sum per ton per mile not exceeding One Halfpenny.

“And be it enacted, That the Toll which the Company may demand for the use of Engines for propelling the Carriages of other parties on the said Railways shall not exceed One Penny per mile for each Passenger or Animal or for each Ton of Goods or other Articles, in addition to the several other tolls or sums by this Act authorised to be taken for the use of the said Railways.

“And with respect to the conveyance of Goods, the maximum rates of charge to be made by the Company for the conveyance thereof along the said Railways, including the Tolls for the use of the said Railways, and Wagons or Trucks, and Locomotive Power, and every expense incidental to such conveyance, except a reasonable sum for loading, covering and unloading of Goods, and for Delivery and Collection, and any other services incidental to the Business or Duty of a Carrier, where such services or any of them are or is performed by the Company, shall not exceed the following sums (that is to say):--

“For every Horse, Mule, and other Beast of Draught or Burden, Threepence per mile.

“For Horned Cattle, the sum of One Penny Three Farthings per Head per Mile.

“For Calves, Pigs, Sheep and small Animals, One Halfpenny each per Mile.

“For every Private Carriage, Fourpence per mile.

“For all Coal, Coke, Ironstone and other Articles hereinbefore classed therewith, conveyed any distance not exceeding Fifty Miles, the sum of One Penny and One-eighth per ton per mile; and the sum of Seven-eighths of a Penny per Ton per Mile for the whole distance travelled, if conveyed a Distance exceeding Fifty Miles.

“For all Dung, Compost and other Articles hereinbefore classed therewith, conveyed any distance not exceeding Fifteen miles, the sum of One Penny Halfpenny per Ton per Mile, and the sum of One Penny and One-eighth per Ton per Mile for the whole distance travelled, if conveyed a distance exceeding Fifteen Miles.

“For all Sugar, Grain, and other Articles hereinbefore classified therewith, conveyed any distance not exceeding fifty Miles, the Sum of Twopence Halfpenny per Ton per Mile, and the Sum of Twopence per Ton per Mile for the whole distance travelled, if conveyed a distance exceeding Fifty Miles.

“For all Cotton and other Articles hereinbefore classified therewith, conveyed any distance not exceeding Fifty Miles, the Sum of Threepence per Ton per Mile; and the Sum of Twopence Halfpenny per Ton per Mile for the whole distance travelled, if conveyed a distance exceeding Fifty Miles.

“For Fish and all other Wares, Merchandise, Articles, Matters and Things conveyed any distance not exceeding Fifty Miles, the Sum of Threepence Halfpenny per Ton per Mile; and the Sum of Threepence per Ton per Mile for the whole distance travelled, if conveyed a distance exceeding Fifty Miles.”

By the Regulation of Railways Act, 1844 (7 and 8 Vic. cap. 85), the Government were given the right, on certain conditions, to _revise_ the scale of Tolls, Rates and Charges as follows:--

“Be it enacted, by the Queen’s most excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords, spiritual and temporal, and Commons in this Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, That if at any time after the end of twenty-one years from and after the first day of January next, after the passing of any Act of the present, or any future Session of Parliament for the construction of any New Line of Passenger Railway, whether such New Line be a Trunk, Branch, or Junction Line, and whether such New Line be constructed by a New Company, incorporated for the purpose, or by any existing Company, the clear annual profits divisible upon the subscribed and paid-up Capital Stock of the said Railway upon the average of the three then last preceding years shall equal or exceed the rate of _Ten Pounds_ for every _Hundred Pounds_ of such paid-up Capital Stock, it shall be lawful for the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury, subject to the provisions hereinafter contained, upon giving to the said Company three calendar months’ notice in writing of their intention to do so, _to revise the scale of tolls, fares and charges_, limited by the Act or Acts relating to the said Railway, and to _fix such new scale of tolls, fares and charges_, applicable to such different classes and kinds of Passengers, Goods, and other Traffic on such Railway as in the judgment of the said Lords Commissioners, assuming the same quantities and kinds of traffic to continue, shall be likely to reduce the said divisible profits to the said rate of Ten Pounds in the Hundred: provided always that no such revised scale shall take effect, unless accompanied by a guarantee to subsist as long as any such revised scale of tolls, fares, and charges shall be in force, that the said divisible profits, in case of any deficiency therein shall be annually made good to the said rate of Ten Pounds for every Hundred Pounds of such Capital Stock, provided also that such revised scale shall not be again revised or such guarantee withdrawn otherwise than with the consent of the Company for the further period of twenty-one years.”

When the earlier Railway Acts were passed, Parliament provided that the rates were to be charged equally throughout the railway.

The following is a copy of one of the Clauses that were inserted:--

“Provided always, and be it further enacted, that the aforesaid rates and tolls to be taken by virtue of this Act shall at all times be charged equally, and after the same rate per ton per mile throughout the whole of the said Railway in respect of the same description of articles, matters or things, and that no reduction or advance in the said rates and tolls shall, either directly or indirectly, be made partially or in favour of or against any particular person or Company, or be confined to any particular part of the said Railway, but that every such reduction or advance of rates and tolls upon any particular kind or description of articles, matters or things, _shall extend to and take place throughout the whole and every part of the said Railway_, upon, and in respect of the same description of articles, matters and things so reduced or advanced, and shall extend to all persons whomsoever using the same or carrying the same description of articles, matters and things thereon, anything to the contrary thereof in anywise notwithstanding.”

In the year 1845, however, Parliament by a Public Act cancelled the prohibition against differential rates by the following Clause.

“And whereas it is expedient that the Company should be enabled to vary the tolls upon the Railway, _so as to accommodate them to the circumstances of the traffic_, but that such power of varying should not be used for the purpose of prejudicing or favouring particular parties, or for the purpose of collusively and unfairly creating a monopoly, either in the hands of the Company or of particular parties; it shall be lawful, therefore, for the Company, subject to the provisions and limitations herein and in the special Act contained, from time to time, to alter or vary the tolls by the special Act authorised to be taken, _either upon the whole or upon any particular portions of the Railway as they shall think fit_: provided that all such tolls be at all times charged equally to all persons and after the same rate, whether per ton, per mile or otherwise, in respect of all passengers, and of all goods or carriages of the same description, and conveyed or propelled by a like carriage or engine, passing only over the same portion of the line of Railway under the same circumstances; and no reduction or advance in any such tolls shall be made either directly or indirectly in favour of or against any particular Company or person travelling upon or using the Railway.”

By Clause 15 of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act of 1873, it was provided that:--

“The Commissioners shall have power to hear and determine any question or dispute which may arise with respect to the terminal charges of any Railway Company, where such charges have not been fixed by any Act of Parliament, and to decide what is a reasonable sum to be paid to any Company for loading and unloading, covering, collection, delivery and other services of a like nature; any decision of the Commissioners under this section shall be binding on all Courts and in all legal proceedings whatsoever.”

* * * * *

RAILWAY RATES: ENGLISH AND FOREIGN.

BY J. GRIERSON, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.

SYNOPSIS OF CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION.--The principle upon which Rates should be based--Cost of Service--Equal Mileage Rates--Differential Rates--Grouping, here and on the Continent--Differential Rates on the Continent--The Interest of Consumers in Rates--The real Basis of Rates--New Classification--Terminal Charges--The Construction of Railways in England and on the Continent--Working of English and Continental Railways--Comparative facilities afforded by them--High Rates and their effect on Trade--Proposals for fixing Rates by Railway Commission--Conciliation Courts--Railway Amalgamation--Railways and Canals--Conclusion--Appendices--Comparison between English and Foreign Rates--Comparison of Railway receipts from Merchandise and Mineral traffic--Tariffs and Conditions for the conveyance of Merchandise traffic in Holland, Belgium, Germany and France--Toll and maximum rate clauses in Railway Acts.

LONDON: EDWARD STANFORD, 55, CHARING CROSS, S.W. 1886.

PRICE 5s.

* * * * *

OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.

“There may be a difference of opinion as to some of the conclusions expressed in Mr. Grierson’s interesting book; there can be but one opinion as to its value and its opportuneness.... The vast foreign literature relating to railways, of which too little is known in this country, has been made use of. Obviously, the volume is by far the best statement of one side of the railway problem; it is in every respect the clearest and ablest exposition of the railway companies’ case.... To members of Parliament and others interested in this subject the volume will be very valuable. It may not alter their present opinions; but henceforth the subject must be discussed with somewhat new arguments and in the light of new facts.... It is enough to say that the book will probably be consulted by all persons claiming a right to speak on these questions; that the critics of railway administration in England will be ready to own that they have profited by it; and that the case of the railway companies has never before been stated so clearly, consecutively, and reasonably.”--_Times, December 14th, 1886._

“To an economic question which yields to few in its pressing importance, a valuable contribution has been made in a work by Mr. Grierson, General Manager of the Great Western Railway Company, entitled ‘Railway Rates: English and Foreign.’ (Edward Stanford.).... Whether in regard to argument or statistics the volume is one which no railway reformer can afford to neglect.”--_Daily Telegraph, December 10th, 1886._

“Certainly no better contribution could be readily made from the side of the Railways, so clear is the writing of this little book, and so well arranged are the facts.... On the whole, the book will no doubt serve its purpose of hastening a reasonable settlement. The sooner the public understand that the point of view of the directors is tenable, the sooner will the inevitable compromise be sanctioned.”--_Daily News, December 15th, 1886._

“It would be an advantage if, before the question of railway rates is again brought before Parliament, as it will be in the course of next session, all who are to take part in its discussion would read with care the case for the railway companies as it has been presented by Mr. Grierson in the book now before us.... Mr. Grierson writes with such an abundant knowledge of his subjects, and sets forth so clearly the difficulties attending any attempt to regulate rates, that no one who reads it intelligently can fail to rise from the study of his book with a better understanding of the complex problem with which it deals, and better able to assist in its solution.... Of Mr. Grierson’s book as a whole, it may be said that, although it is not a vindication of the railway companies, it shows that, in the main, they are serving the country well, and abundantly proves that any active interference by outside authorities in the details of their management is far more likely to prove harmful than beneficial.”--_Economist, 18th December, 1886._

“As the best that can be said on behalf of the Companies, this volume is invaluable: it is the ablest statement of the case which we have seen.... It is full of useful information, and by reason of its facts, figures, and appendices, it is a volume which we cannot too highly esteem.”--_Bullionist, 25th December, 1886._

“Mr. Grierson’s book on ‘Railway Rates: English and Foreign,’ cannot be regarded as other than a valuable contribution to a most important subject. The book bristles with facts and figures, that are of unquestionable interest.”--_Scotsman, December 20th, 1886._

The much vexed question of terminals, mileage and uniform rates, differential and other charges in connection with railway management are discussed from a thoroughly practical point of view, and the facts and conclusions brought forward cannot but have a most salutary effect in removing unfounded prejudice, and creating a sounder public opinion with respect to the railways of the United Kingdom.... The work now before us will, at all events, leave the critics without excuse if they are not better informed on the subject upon which they speak and write with such copious fluency and limited knowledge.”--_Railway News, December 11th, 1886._

“In the mass of publications on the subject of railways, both at home and abroad--the magnitude and character of which tend to bewilder rather than enlighten--this book of Mr. Grierson’s, although conceived in a spirit of defence simply, has developed into a powerful instrument in the cause of justice--a careful compilation of facts, many of which have hitherto been inaccessible, and an exponent of opinions which cannot fail to carry weight, even though it may be said that they emanate from an interested source. Such is the wide survey which the author makes of the situation, that although he disclaims any idea of removing the many misconceptions in circulation, or of affording an answer to all the charges which have been made against railway companies, he has taken a step which will go far towards accomplishing both these objects.... We may commend the work with its appendix to the careful reading of all who are desirous of arriving at a sound and equitable solution of the great railway problem, which at this moment is a matter of importance and interest to all sections of society.”--_Railway Times, December 18th, 1886._

“The publication of a volume entitled ‘Railway Rates: English and Foreign,’ by Mr. J. Grierson, the General Manager of the Great Western Railway, in which the case for the Railway Companies is fully and ably stated, is a matter for genuine satisfaction.”--_Manchester Guardian, December 21st, 1886._

“On all such points as terminal charges, high rates, and their effect on trade, railway amalgamation, equal mileage rates, grouping here and on the continent, Mr. Grierson’s volume will be found of much value, while it will undoubtedly help to clear up certain misconceptions, and ought to prevent the adoption of theories as to the fixing of rates, which could only be injurious to trade, as well as contribute to an equitable and satisfactory settlement of many railway questions now much discussed.”--_Liverpool Mercury, December 25th, 1886._

“Mr. J. Grierson, General Manager of the Great Western Railway, has just rendered a really excellent service to the mercantile community and to those outside that category--if there be any such--who are interested in the question of railway rates and charges and the numerous cognate subjects which evolve out of that vastly important question.... To appreciate the work that the author has accomplished, the book requires to be studied in its entirety, especially by all who aim at thoroughly comprehending one of the most important subjects of the day.”--_Glasgow Herald, December 17th, 1886._

“Mr. Grierson’s book will be useful to all who desire to understand what can be said in favour of the existing system,”--_Bristol Evening News, December 10th, 1886._