Understand how railways became public highways and what rules shape their use today.
This concise, accessible study explains the legal powers behind railway regulation and the economic forces at work in the industry.
Written by W. D. Dabney in 1889, the work surveys the sources of legislative authority, the role of the Interstate Commerce Act, and the debate over competition, monopolies, and public ownership. It connects historical ideas with practical questions about rates, discrimination, and the balance between private enterprise and the public good.
- Clear explanations of how railroads evolved from private toll roads to regulated public utilities
- Plain descriptions of key laws, commissions, and court decisions shaping traffic and pricing
- Examples of disputes over long vs. short hauls, rebates, and discriminatory practices
- Discussion of express service and its relationship to standard rail transportation
Ideal for readers seeking a foundational understanding of railroad regulation and its economic implications in a historical context.