Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-31
Railroad Commissions.

Railroad Commissions.
The publication OF the annual state
msnts OF tie New York railroads IS made
: the occasion by some Of tue New York
+ commercial and financial journals for
commenting on the work OF the Railroad
B Comm ssiOn OF that state. The comments
{ are OF q character 10 create the impress
( sion that the commission Is an institution
which is now appreciated BY the railroads
and the public.
Taree years ago. when the commission
was appointed. the railroads were strong
II opposed 70 it. II is said that now.
however, the railroads would not have it
abolished If they could. They have
found that while it insists that the public
shall have fair treatment. which the rail-
roads are generally willing TO accord, X ia
q protection against hasty and hostile
legislation.
Perhaps one OF the strongest reasons
why the commission has succeeded so
well in giving satisfaction to the railroads
aud the people is that il is composed Of
men Of first-clsss ability and strong
common-sense, who are controlled wholly
by desire to do what is fair and just.
There is a marked difference between
the powers of the commission Of New
York and that OF this state. The New
York commission is an advisory board.
II has neither legislative nor judicial
powers. 1t makes recommendations
which the railroads may ormsy not adopt.
In order to be in position TO make re-
concentrations it hears and investigates
complaints. Ithas power 70 send for per-
sons and papers in order TO get at the
truth. At first the railroads objected to
opening their books to the commissioners,
but they do not now. They nave found
that an honest showing Of their affairs is
benedeial rather than otherwise.
The recommendations Of the commission
are generally adopted, for two reasons.
First, because, as a rule, they are just;
and, second, because a refusal to adopt
them without excellent reasons would be
to invite hostile legislation.
How very much better for this State
would it be if the powers Of the commits
sion were the same as those of the New
York Commission. The interests of tn e
present, and the railroads couldn't have
any SUCH grounds for complaining Of the
commission as they now have. The rail-
roads would make their own rates just as
the New York roads do, aud as they are
much better qualified than the com mis-
sion is to do, and the people would
lodge their complaints with the commits
sion in cases where there were unjust or
discriminating freight or passenger rates.
1t may be said, Of course, that the rail-
roads would not pay any attention to the
commissions recommendations. Why
would they not? Are not the railroad
managers of this State endowed with just
as good sense as are those of New York.
and don't they know just as well what is
best for their interests! Some time ago
the New York commission recommended
a reduction Of freight and passenger rates
on the Hudson River road. The officials
at first protested, but they finally con-
cluded to accept it. They did this be-
cause they knew that the publication of
the reasons Of the commission for the
recommendation would array the public
and the Legislature against the road.
Attention is drawn to this commission
question at this time for the reason that
several railroads are projected in this
state. the building OF which would not
long be delayed if it were not for the fact
that the commission is clothed with
power to ruin railroads, and the feeling
that this power is liable to be exercised
by commission inimical to railroads.
Capital hesitates to take risks which
would amount to nothing If the commits
sion had only such powers as those exer-
cised by the New York commission.
This commission question is one which
the people of the entire State ought to
study carefully with the view of making
their conclusions apparent in selecting
candidates for the next Legislature.