Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-02-09
THE REASONING

THE REASONING
Which supports the principle of Section
and justities legislation in support of
would apply a repressive remedy in tn
other cases. The principle is unsound a
an element in commercial code. Tn
West and other remote sections of tn
country cannot afford to have it applied t.
transportation by rail. | know that it j
said Section will not interfere with tn
application of the low rate to the Ion;
haul. accept the statement of the au
thor OF the bill that the section was no
designed to forbid the application of tina
rule, and that under it the railroad compa
MES may charge as low a rate as the,
please for long haul, provided they d.
not exceed the aggregate of that rate tor
shorter distance. This may have been tn,
intention of the author of the bill, bu
such is rot the effect of the section as
understand it. A faithful administration
of the section by the railroad companies
would show that | am not mistaken. As
have already stated, the principle on which
the section is based was tried in the West
| 1t was most unsatisfactory in practice anC
result, and no repetition of that experience
is desired in that quarter. But suppos,
the other construction of the section be the
correct one. What follows? Why, the
legalization by Act of Congress of
A INDUSTRIOUS WRONG
In railroad management. Let me illustrate
this. Suppose the greater distance ove1
which car load of freight is to be carried
is 900 miles, and the rate 500. Another
car load of the same kind of freight is to
moved over the line a shorter distance oil
90 miles, can 500 be charged for that
also? Undoubtedly this can be done under
the construction of the section given by its
author. Whatever is charged for the
greater distance may likewise be put upon
the shorter haul If $50 be charged for
LOCO miles, the same amount may be
charged for 25 miles. And this is to have
the sanction of law. Should law be en-
acted which would permit so great an
enormity as this? One or the other of
these constructions must be given to the
section Either it prohibits low rate for
long haul or it authorizes an exorbitant
rate for a short haul. Now, which shall
1t be? Is this committee prepared to say
that it shall be either the one or the
other If my construction of the section
is correct, how are members representing
Western constituencies to Justify their &C.
ton in supporting it ? If the other con-
struction be the correct one, how are the
Eastern and Middle State constituencies to
be satisfied? Turn it which way you will,
how Is anybody to be satisfied with the
section? Is it wise to do this thing? Is
it not case in which it is best to make
haste slowly?
THE RESULT.
If Section 4 should be given the force of
law and receive the con struction which l
have, with others who have addressed the
committee, given it, it may be asked,
Will the railroad companies be SO un-
wise as to destroy the great business from
and to the West.' Certainly not, so far
as they have any election in the premises
by which they can foster that business.
But they could do but little in the way of
aiding the West. They will do the best
they can. But that best must be bad
enough. In every regard the section must
be repressive and Oppressive in the West.
The people are there, and they must stay.
They will go on planting and harvesting
and sending to market, but the cost of
transportation will eat out their substance
A check will be put upon the development
of that section, now going on so rapidly
and satisfactorily. Prices of both land and
products must recede. What high rents
are to the people of Ireland, the rates I'M
der Section viii be to the people of the
Western States. Low rates Of transporta-
ton are like low rents. Those who
pay them can prosper. High rates of
transportation, like high rents, foster dis
content and distress. This will be the
mission of Section4 should Congress give it
the force OF law. Its enactment cer-
tainly is another of the things
that ought not to be done con-
corning commerce between the States.
Mr.. Chairman, | need not say
that do not entertain the belief that this
committee entertains any purpose to do
INJUSTICE TO THE RAILROAD COMPANIES,
Or to treat harshly the interests of the
people who live in sections of the country
remote from the centers of market.
doubt not that out of the agitation of the
grave questions which you are considering
good will come. But do not believe that
it can come through this bill. What though
the problem of transportation be not at
once solved? Suppose the process of its
solution should seem slow. Better this
than harmful legislation. You can't afford
to make so grave mistake as would be
the enactment of the bill now under con-
sideration here. A measure which would
commit this great subject to a Commission
of competent men for thorough investiga-
ton and report as to what is best to be
done would be, it seems to me, wiser
course of action than the enactment of this
bill. Already good has come from the
consideration and discussion of the trans
portation question. This Will continue.
No fear need be entertained that matters
will grow worse while Commission is
acting. The tendency will be the other
way. 1t will lead to wise action and per-
manent results. IAtthispoint the speaker
time expired.