The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-02-02

Almost without exception the Legisla'
,nres now in session have been asked to
consider measures for the regulation OF
railway traffic. This fact has been erone'
ously attributed to the growing hostility to
railroads; say, rather, that there is grow
ing disposition to bring the railroads under
reasonable control. /,
Iua long article opposing such control
the Chicago Times lays down some prop
ositions and deduces some views which,
In our judgment, have only the practice oil
railroad management to rest on
and It is from this general prac'
tice that there is growing popular
dissent. Here are few Of the propositions;
That product must compete with product
IN the markets Of the world-which is well
nrderstood-and from which Is deduced
the railroad maxim that diferential rates
are enforced by inexorable trade laws; that
the shipper has a greater voice in determin'
: inc rates than the transporter; that iuel,
,umber and other necessaries would as
properly be regulated in price by law; that
railroad managers may be trusted to con-
duct their own business wisely; that exces'
siye rates inevitably bring relief in COM
petition; that the evils will cure themselves.
The differential rates which are enforced
nv inexorable trade laws are quite different
from those which are enforced by railroad
companies. For example, there is no law
Of trade which brings Chicago as near the
seabord as Pittsburgh, or Pittsburgh nearer
than Philadelphia; but the railroads have
done it by juggling their freight rates, and
.he business which could not grinand bear
it had to go under. :.
But there is di1erential rate which is
more personal than local, which gives to
one shipper between given points advan'
tapes Of rate or facility or both over an
other shipper or all other shippers between
the same points. We have seen how, in
seventeen months and hall, four railroad
companies allowed the Standard Oil Com
nanv over ten millions Of dollars in draw
backs-an average Of fiity.fve cents a bar
rel on every barrel Of oil it shipped-lust
that much advantage over another shipper
on every barrel OF oil that he shipped. This
ia not commanded by any memorable law
of trade but it is forbidden by every con-
sideration OF good and fair business policy.
The same discrimination is going on in
VARYING degrees. The shippers OF West
Virginia know it, ieelit, but they can do
nothing. II the shipper had voice he
would raise it at once, and to some purpose.
Fuel, lumber, potatoes and the like do not
stand on the same footing. The producers
thereof do not enjoy valuable special
privileges, are not common carriers
having the exclusive use OF public
highways. A railway company owns
the material road, but not the high
way; and in the conduct Of its business it
is the agent OF the State which created 1t.
The theory Of Its creation implies the right
OF control. There is little relief in compe-
tition when parallel lines "pool their is'
sues" through their freight rates, move
towns and cities about as pawns on
chesshoard, apportion the traffic to suit
themselves and put upon production
and exchange what it will bear" making
sure to exact enough. This unrestricted
power ofthe railroads companies is apower
to tax industry, to obstruct the natural cur
rents OF trade, without warning and with
out stint, and without SO much as giving a
reason. The Government Of the United
States has no such power.
There are localities which do not want
Misunderstanding asleep they do not desire
TO be aroused. But the influence OF the rail-
road in the development OF the country is
appreciated by the people generally.
It's present advantages and future
uses are not underestimated. But
that the railroad may yield its
greatest good it ought to be stripped OF
its great evils, the management restrained
from taking unfair advantage Of stockhold-
ersand shippers, and this the State has the
right 10 do.
II the powers Of the State be insufficient,
the power Of the National Government
reaches far enough and is strong enough.
1t Is not the right Of the railroads Of the
country ITO regulate commerce." and that
Is what they are doing.