From: ahk@chinet.com   
      
   hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:   
   >On Sunday, May 17, 2015 at 7:00:35 PM UTC-4, Adam H. Kerman wrote:   
      
   >>Do pretend that there were no interurbans, and that New York to Buffalo   
   >>wasn't served by 8 railroads, Chicago to St. Paul by five, Chicago to   
   >>St. Louis by 4, etc.   
      
   >While some interurbans had very long runs, most passengers were   
   >travelling much shorter distances.   
      
   >As to New York and Buffalo, who were the eight railroads serving the   
   >two points?   
      
   That's basic historical railroad knowledge, so I expect you to read about   
   it yourself.   
      
   >In any event, in the days of the robber barons, there wasn't a free   
   >market or competition.  The big boys (i.e. JP Morgan et al) regulated   
   >the industry.  Rates were set in collusion, with secret rebates to   
   >favorite parties.  The owners drained the railroads of stock for selfish   
   >purposes (i.e. Gould).  Railrods refused to put on needed safety   
   >improvements until forced to by the government.   
      
   Rates were set in collusion, but the big monied interests challenged   
   each other at times and colluded at other times. It's just not possible   
   to maintain cartels in American business on a permanent basis.   
      
   Point is that you're completely wrong about the harm caused by airline   
   price gouging. I sure as hell don't want the Civil Aeronautics Board   
   restored because you don't understand that the price rises due to temporary   
   supply shortages, and that this is an economic benefit.   
      
   --- SoupGate/W32 v1.03   
    * Origin: LiveWire BBS -=*=- UseNet FTN Gateway (1:2320/1)