Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-07
Erona "a AlaNt1 Constit4tioN

The Massachusetts Law.
From the AHant1 Consultation
A Constitution reporter called on Gen.
A. R. Lawton last evening at the Kimball,
and talked with him concerning the State
Railroad Commission, and the effort now
beng made, and which appears to meet
with general approval, of limiting its
powers 80 as to prevent unjust dlscrimi-
nation against the railroads Of the State.
General, you have been acquainted
with the workings Of the present Rail-
road Commission OF Georgia. Does
it retard the progress of the State,
and if 80, howp asked the reporter.
YES" replied the general, 81 have
been acquainted with the workings OF the
present Railroad Commission law from
the time of it's enactment until the pres
ent time. My relations to some OF the
railroads in the State, and the fact that |
was favorable from the first to properly
organized commission, caused me to take
unusual interest in the result to flow from
it. l was startled at first by the extra
ordinary amount of power that was given
by the act TO the commissioners. Such
power as had never been conferred upon
three men over the same amount OF prl.
vate property by any government
within my knowledge, 1 had
occasion to hear the act fire.
quently discussed in private converse
ton by men of business outside of the
State of Georgia. and the invariable Opin-
ion expressed was that the railroads
could not successfully operate under its
provisions. That 1t was evidently but an
experiment which Georgia was trying in
good faith, but that it would soon be
found to need material modification, and
it was taken for granted that such modi-
ticatiOn would soon follow. | did venture
to hope, however, at first, that the intelli-
gence and high personal character OF the
commissioners appointed would mitigate
many of the results that we're feared. In
thus l have been painfully disappointed.
The exercise Of all the powers given and
the most liberal construction Of the act,
and the constant inclination exhibited to
have new powers added pave de-
sttOyed all hope of an administration
more conservative that the act itself.
Indeed. IL was expecting too much that
the grant OF unlimited powers would not
create an increasing appetite for its eX-
ercise. This had attracted the attention
of investors everywhere outside of the
state Of Georgia, and the result has been
a serious dimunitiOn in the market value
Of our railroad property. 1t took time to
prOdue this unhappy result, but 1t has
been working surely, if slowly, nor is it
surprising, fer who would risk ownership
in property under the absolute control
Of others whose eligibility to the control
ing Office is that they have no interest in
any property Of like character. j have
no hesitation, therefore, in answering
that the existence of this act, and the
manner in which its provisions are ad-
ministered, has already retarded, and
will, with increasing rapidity, retard the
progress OF the State OF Georgia.
81 do tot elaborate, but content myself
with this mere outline"
"Have you read the bill now pending in
the Senate, and does it change the laws so
as 10 make the situation fairer between
the railroads and the peoplep
81 have carefully read the bill now
pending in the Senate" was the reply,
sand it does not contain the full measure of
Justice to the railroads nor does il dispose
OF all the wrongs under which they are suf-
tering. But ii does make changes which
address themselves to a plain sense Of
justice and fair dealing. 1t virtually
makes the railroad commissioners a SUI
pervisory body. While it does not leave
them fun power 10 issue orders privately
concooted in back parlor without
previous notice of such intention,
railroad property by millions OF dollars
within thirty days, il leaves with the rail-
road officials power 10 initiate rates. and
after they shall be announced the COM
mission can investigate them, hear all
complaints aud Apply the proper remedy
If one is needed. lt also provides for
appeals from any action Of the COM
missiOners by either the railroads or any
portion OF the people TO be affected to tue
fVfh IA Of a hts hnx
created 10 settle all differences which
affect the liberty or property OF any citi-
zen, who should be afraid 10 leave the
decision OF their rights 20 the courts. After
all, the great value Of a properly-cOusti-
tuted railroad commission consists in the
moral power that 10 exercises and the
publicity that IL gives, through its
action and its reports, to any wrongs
perpetrUted by the railroad companies.
After many years experience the Massa-
chusetts Railroad Commission declared
that In no single instance has it failed
To adjust any difference between a rail-
road company aud the community patron
iZing L., after tull investigation, distinct
expression OF opinion on their part as 20
the wrong and the remedy. But vet that
commission has no power % enforce IT'S
orders or DEGREES, but simply reports and
makes public the result. The publicity
which il gives, ard the anxiety of the
railroads TO avoid the effect Of any report
that ~ may make against them, have
been found quite sufficient aud accom-
plishod the valuable purposes for which
thai commission was created.
"Ibe bin now before the Senate still
oontemplates large powers in the hands
Of the Georgia Commissioners which
Massachusetts has never given TO theirs.
Il will add that che railroads In Massa.
cbusetts are well known 10 be among the
very best managed roads In this country.
the Importance Of the passage prompt
~ Of the Bill before the Senate cannot be
over estimated"