I interpret Dick's comment as trying to make the point that the general welfare includes a lot of things, of which merchants selling tourist merchandise is a very small part. Probably one much more important part is the jobs offered by the railroad, and that might include railroad jobs selling tourist merchandise. Hotel and restaurant revenue, fuel, even groceries are probably far more important than the trinket business, in terms of jobs and tax revenue. A prosperous railroad with satisfied customers will attract more tourists to Chama, and that will help the employees, hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and so on. If the railroad sells some merchandise to help that happen, I think everyone comes out ahead. Roger, who is one of those tourist merchandise sellers (as well as a hotel owner), seems to understand that and agree.
JBWX