The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-05-30
HE BUSINESS BUDGET.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE VIEWS.
The Senate Committee at Philadelphia.
An Iron Firm Weakens on Wages.
Bank Failure In Philadel-
phia-Other Matters.

PHILADELPHIA, May 29.-The United
States senate committee on interstate
commerce resumed its session to-day.
Prof Edward James, of the Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania, was heard on the
subject. He thought the subject Of in
terstate commerce had arrived at such
point that it should be regulated by a
national commission, with absolute
power to prevent discrimination. AS to
giving it power to fix rates. Prof.
James adds that would be a mat
ter of tho future. We scarcely
know yet enough ON the subject to go
so far. Going deeper into the subject of
the commissions authority, Prof. James
seid the commissioners decision should
be absolute. There should be no appeal
from 1t. eli cases, however, should not
come before 1t as consequence of the
creation Of a body so absolutely in au-
thority. There should be commission
ers of inferior power, like inferior courts.
! They could, Of course, decide many
eases. The Gll-powerful commission
would thus be, as ii were, Supreme
court. Relating to his personal expe-
rience, the professor cited q case where,
some time ago, he had some coal
q
| from Philadelphia at that time for less
than scents per ton.
Gen. Isaac Winston, manager of the
Pennsylvania railroad company's ca
nails was next heard. He thought it
very unfortunate that railroads should
own canals in Pennsylvania. There
is no use keeping Up The canals, be
cause they are owned by the railroads
and there can be no competition,
Gen. Winster then followed with a
sketch explaining the methods whereby
the canals OF Pennsylvania came into
the possession of the Pennsylvania rail-
road company. 1T was his opin-
| ion that all the money appro-
mprOvements was squandered, Tie
would improve the harbors by
| leaving them to nature. He knew the
| Mississippi valley settlers had greatly
Increased trade on that stream and he
| believes that no matter what the pro-
| duCtive facilities Of the south might be
and the government did nothing. the
producers would get their products TO
markets. In other words, private indi-
viduals would improve our harbOrS if
| the governmentdid not.
| Soon after this Senator German took
| up the line of interrogatoTies and di-
| ittLbd us HubHblbuA III Jllt ulfbCllOl Oh
the probable establishment of a vast
connecting Inc of canals.
"When Gen. Grant was PRESIDENT
replied Gen. Wnstar, 81 spoke To him
on the subject. My idea was for the
government to construct large
canal at one 1.-THE the
cost of our river and
harbor improvements, connecting all
the smaller ones with the wealthiest
centers of the country. Then a fleet Of
gunboats might DO constructed. These
could run on any portion of the canal
and could Oe summoned to any
point by telegraph. l am of the
opinion that a system of this
kind would afford more protection to
! the country than our combined force
and arsenal. AS to the commercial
value Of such a scheme, that is seen on
its face.
Mr.. John Norris, one of the editors of
the Record, explained the effect of freight
rates on the distribution OF coal. He
did not favor railroad commission, as
it would bring the roads into politics.
lie favored railroad courts.
The committee then adjourned. 1t
will resume its session on June u, at
Chicago,