The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1884-02-07
HOW 1T WORKS IN NEW YoR

HOW 1T WORKS. IN NEW lORh.
Bradstreet publishes comprehensive
synopsis Of the report of the railway
commission of the state of New York.
The following extracts will be Of inter
est to Kansas readers:
The theory upon winch the law or
ganIzing the New York railroad CON-
mission is based is that publicity will
remove the grounds of many OF the COM
plants heretofore made by the public
against the management of the railroads,
particularly in regard 10 freight discrim-
nations and similar matters, and that
supervision by state authority will tend
TO more efficient service on the part of
the railroads. II would seem, from the
showing made by the commissioners in
their report, that the agitation leading
up to the establishment OF the Board has
already induce the railroads to antici-
pate corrective action bV equalizing
their rates and avoiding glaring discrlm-
nations This seems to be the only eX-
PLANTATION of Il very striking fact stated
by the commissioners, namely, that to
some twelve thousand circulars issued
by them, calling for statements of com
plants and abuses SUFFERED only
about one hundred replies were
received, considerable pro-
portion of which alleged satisfaction
with the existing state OF affairs. The
complaints made have less to do with
excessive rates of freight than with 9TH
er alleged abuses, such AS unjust dis
cTiminatlons as manifested against in
dlviduals in the giving of special rates
and against communities located at nom
competitive points, 1t appears the man
foa nd fnh nf
York City make no complaints. The
farmers, however, complain against the
low through freight from the east. The
board points out, however, in regard
to the interstate or through freight
aspect OF the ques ion thus raised
by the agricultural interest, that but
little power resident in the state can
be exercised in its determination. 1t
presents no comprehensive treatment of
the general subject of freight transporta-
ton and rates in its annual report, but,
in view of the intricacy and difficulty of
the questions involved, reserves the mat
ter for further consideration and for a
special report TO be submitted as soon as
practicable. In the meantime, however,
the commIs toner's express the opinion
that publicity regarding the manage.
ment and administration of railroad az
fairs, such as is guarantt ed by the exist
ence of railr1ad commissions. is doing
more toward the solution of the abstruse
problem than any other mesns which
has yet been suggested or adopted.
The Commissioners have not been
slow to recognize the value of correct
and frequent Information of the finan-
cial condition OF railroads, rot only TO
managers of the roads, but also to the
stock holders and the public. In order
to secure the publications OF such infor-
nation they have projected a system OF
quarterly reports which they think will
be found of great value as a preventa-
tive of the improper manipulation of
railroad securities hitherto widely prac-
ticed They further suggest the propri-
ETY. of an enactment requiring each rail-
Tosd company to publish its quarterly
reports in a newspaper TO be designated
by the board, printed at the place whI re
the principal offices of the company are
located.
1t is worthy OF n ltice thai, although
there has been a demand in some quar-
trs for an increase of the powers of the
commissioners, they are not themselves
prepared 20 recommend any change IN
this respect, save In the providing OF ad-
equate penalties for the failure on the
part of railroads to comply with the
reasonable and expedient recommends
tions of the board. In this matter the
commissioners display sound sense.
Their experience, though necessarily
short, has convinced them that the pub-
liclty which the existence and action OF
railroad commission involves will
do much to bring about q solu-
tion of the .perplexing ques-
tions which vex railroad managers
no less than the public at large. and that
the fuller knowledge which must result
will prepare the way for a more ready
recognition ofthe community of interest
which IN reality exists between the raIl-
roads and the people than at present OBJ
taips. Even in regard to corporate
abuses which do not admit of question,
the true corrective IS TO be found not in
the passage of dsnuncIatory statutory
DEGREES, nor IN the vesting commissions
with extraordinary powers of control,
but in the co-ercive influence of an in
formed public opinion. OF the exist
ence of such an opinion. however, pub
licIty such as the law establishing the
New York railroad commission aims 10
secure is an essential condltion.