Economics of Science and Technology
Jeffrey Parker, Reed College
Fall 2012
Essay Assignment #3: Due prior to final exam, 6pm, Wednesday, December 12
Consider the alleged historical letter below:
To: President Andrew Jackson,
The canal system of this country is being threatened by the spread of a new form of transportation known as “railroads.” The federal government must preserve the canals for the following reasons:
One. If canal boats are supplanted by “railroads” serious unemployment will result. Captains, cooks, drivers, hostlers, repairmen and lock tenders will be left without means of livelihood, not to mention the numerous farmers now employed in growing hay for horses.
Two. Boat builders would suffer and tow-line, whip and harness makers would be left destitute.
Three. Canal boats are absolutely essential to the defence [sic] of the United States. In the event of the expected trouble with England, the Erie Canal would be the only means by which we could ever move the supplies so vital to waging modern war.
For the above-mentioned reasons the government should create an Interstate Commerce Commission to protect the American people from the evils of “railroads” and to preserve the canals for posterity. As you may well know, Mr. President, “railroad” carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of 15 miles per hour by “engines” which, in addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their way through the countryside, setting fire to crops, scaring the livestock and frightening women and children. The Almighty certainly never intended that people should travel at such breakneck speed.
Martin Van Buren
Governor of New York
January 31, 1829
(Quoted in The Region, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, September 1993, its authenticity has not been verified)
Place yourself in the position of President Jackson's "technology adviser" (if he had such a person) and construct a short (1 to 2 page) recommendation addressing the major points in Governor Van Buren's letter. Although it is anachronistic to do so, you may (and should) utilize general evidence from research we read for this course in supporting your recommendation. However, you should not presume to have knowledge of the actual path of railroad and canal technologies (or anything else) after 1829.
Send your recommendation in the form or a readable document (.doc, .docx, .pdf, or .rtf) as an email attachment before the beginning of the final exam period.