The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1885-01-13

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Could one desire clearer demonstration
of the futility of Legislation and the all but
omuipotent power of competition? Com
petition is a subtle, unseen power that
works silently but remorselessly in bring
ing down rates, as the river brings down
the banks by constantly sweeping against
them. 1t is not simply competition be-
tween lines, but the migbtier competition
between city and city, section and section,
commodity and commodity, which strikes
irresisIiblv against legislative enactments
and pool dictaiion and overwhelms them.
1t is working In the Interests of the people
at large, here lite, there a little, but
working out good slIke for the people, and
will only produce dis sster when legislative
bodies and transportation managers COM
bine TO throttle, for neither can do it
alone
The reduction of passenger and freight
rates In Missouri since the war, from
natural causes, has been in the same ratio
as in Illinois and Michigan. There has
been two reductions made by the roads in
obedience to legislative demands; the first
in 1865 the second in 1879. The rates
fixed by the roads in 1865, were based on
the inflated values then existing,
but thee were Soon changed
In conformity TO public senti-
ment. Five years ago, tie Legislature
fixed the maximum rates of charges in
freight and passengers, and the roads al
once submitted. When the law was passed
In 1879, the rates were held to be firm and
just, ard nothing has happened since then
TO justify any one in saying those rat' S are
now too high. think the law should be
so amended as to give the commissioners
power to enforce uniform passenger rates
over all the lines of roads in the state
That rate should not De in excess of three
cents per mile. Only a few roads DOW
charge over that rate, and some of those
will conform TO that rate after the LIST Of
January, 1885.
Determinations will take place in the
management of railways, as In the manage
ment of any other class of business. The
iDhexible rnle should be that the same ser
vice shall always be rendered for the same
compensation for al alike; bat to estsb-
lish, or SEX to establish, rale that no
more should be charged per mile FOR
short distance than for long distances is
against both common sense and the expert
ence 10 life of every transaction in bust
ness. The purchaser of hundred hogs
head OF sugar is ever given more favorable
rate than the purchaser of a pound, bar
rel or a single hogshead. Competition, as
before said, is the solution OF the difficulty,
and is toe all controlling force In modern
commerce, and we should to do nothing, |
and we should allow the roads do moth |
ing which would hamper, interfere with or |
obStruct it.
| think the commissioners have il 10 |
their power to accomplish mo-e with the |
managers of the roads in a quiet aud less |
expensive way, in the intere<t of the pat
rons of the roads. than can be done by leg |
islative action. 1t is in duty bound TO |
study the railroad question in every as.
pect, and supervise its management so as
to harmonic and protect the interests of
the roads and the shippers alike. As Gov. |
Cullem well said: This work is of such |
nature that it can never have q perfect |
and final accomplishment The changing |
conditions of trade, the development of |
new industries and teachings of experience
and observation, will furnish grounds for
their revision, which must be made with
full recognition OF the rights and interests
os all parties concerned"
Possibly Georgia has one of the best
compilations of railroad laws in the United |
States, giving satisfaction TO the roads and
the people. Gov. Mcdaniel says, in his
last message:
"Rishtly administered, the important
powers vested ia the commission should |
result IN benefit to the railroads and to the
public. There can be no resl conflict of
interest. The public is entitled to prompt
and Efficient railway service for the accom-
nodasion Of travel and traffic, for which