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Thursday, May 01, 2014

Net neutrality in the nineteenth century: railway regulation & telegraph abuse

Railway Regulation Act :: The Railways Archive: This from the UK in 1844: "whereas it is expedient to secure to the poorer Class of Travellers the Means of travelling by Railway at moderate Fares, and in Carriages in which they may be protected from 'the Weather;' be it enacted, That...all Passenger Railway Companies...shall, by means of One Train at least to travel along their Railway from one End to the other of each Trunk, Branch, or Junction Line...once at least each Way on every Week Day...provide for the Conveyance of Third Class Passengers...

Such Train shall start at an Hour to be from Time to Time fixed by the Directors...Such Train shall travel at an average Rate of Speed not less than Twelve Miles per Hour for the Whole Distance travelled on the Railway, including Stoppages:

Such Train shall, if required, take up and set down Passengers at every Passenger Station which it shall pass on the Line:

The Carriages in which Passengers shall be conveyed by such Train shall be provided with Seats, and shall be protected from the Weather...

The Fare or Charge for each Third Class Passenger by such Train shall not exceed One Penny for each Mile travelled:"

And see also an 1869 letter of protest at Western Union censorship by telegraph throttling of the Californian critics of its policies - via Stuart Geiger (hat tip). 'via Blog this'

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