Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-18

i is probable that the conference COM
mittee on the Interstate commerce bill
will have considerable difficulty in reach
ing an agreement. The railroads are
very hostile to it, particularly that feat
ure OF it which prohibits pooling. There
are members of the conference committee
who are afraid that that feature of the bill
Will result In a general railroad war, and
cause injury to both producers ana con-
sumers.
The opinion prevails to some extent
that apprehension of evil effects from
this bill upon railroad property has
weakened confidence in railroad stocks,
and was, 10 some extent, the cause
or the rapid decline in the price OF
railroad securities which took place
IN the early part OF the week.
Prominent railroad investors say
that the bill is undemocratic,
because it virtually takes the control OF
interstate roads out of the hands of their
owners and places it in those OF the gov
eminent; and they consider 1t harmful
because it will make intelligent and har-
monious management of the roads impos-
slble. With State commissions harass-
ing roads wholly within States and Fed
eral commission embarrassing inter-
State roads practical railroad men antici-
pate condition of affairs that will have
a very depressing effect upon railroad
property.
mere is one feature of the bill, how
ever, which ought to meet with the ap-
proVal of railroads. 1t is that winch
strikes at the free pass system. While it
is not exactly clear whether the bill pro-
hi61ts the granting of free passes to all
persons except railroad officials the Sem
ate Interpretation of it is that 1t does. If
there is any doubt on that point it is
probable that the railroads will interpret
it against the desdheads. The fact that
Senator Brown had an amendment made
to the bill permitting the granting of re-
duced rates to ''ministers of religion"
shows that in his opinion the deadhead
business will be at an end even for Con-
gressmen unless they get themselves ap-
pointed to ornamental positions on rail-
roads or pass as "ministers Of religion"
While the feeling in railroad circles is
strongly against the bill there is reason
for thinking that it Will not bear so
heavily on railroads as some seem
to think. Much, of course, will depend
upon the men who will have the admins
tration Of the law. If they happen to be
tyrannical, or are pulled up with the idea
that they can make capital for themselves
by expressing the roads, they can do a
great deal of harm, but if they aim to do
Justice the bill may result in bringing
about better feeling between the rail-
roads and the people.
Judge Reagan has worked necessarily
for years for bill Of this kind, and there
can be no doubt that he has been 1nf1u-
enced by none Of the motive of dema-
gogue. Nevertheless, because he con-
sented to abandon very many OF the
most important features OF his Inter-
State bill it Is insinuated that he did so in
order to secure the passage of the present
measure before the holidays, because he
hopes that it's passage will advance his
prospects for the office of United States
Senator. The Texas Legislature elects
Senator to succeed Senator Maxey in
January, but although the bill is popular
in Texas it is unjust to him TO hint that
he supports it with the hope OF getting to
the Senate by its aid.