Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-06-25
The value and Methods OF "a Railroad
COmmiasiOn.

COm mission.
From the Rutland Herald
The chief value of railroad comm ission
is that it acts AZ a cushion or spring between
the roads and the people in cases Of collision.
1t is a court of quick trial, unhampered by
forms and rs ready to make personal investi.
cations rs to hear evidence. 1t il able to
apply equity aud fair dealings to differences
between contending roads, 50 that the public
shall not suffer and the security holders will
be protected from the errors Of mismauage.
ment. Ii can secure uniformity Of accounts
aud enforce publicity of returns. 1t can in.
vestigate accidents and take measures to pre-
vent their recurrence. 1t can Determine the
adyisability Of proposed new roads or changes
of old roads, and the necessity OF improved
accommodations. 1t can also ascertain if
rates are anywhere illegal or unjust, If roads
or equipment are unsafe, if servants are I'M
skilled or negligent, and il improvements
should not be introduced.
The question N to how much power should
be given commission is an open one, but
the prevailing opinion among those who have
studied the question is that recOmmendatory
power is sufficient, except in cases of def
ance, and then the commission should have
general power TO apply to the courts, or be
granted special power by the legislature to
apply proper corrective to the case in hand
year and half ago the Massschu sets com
mission recommended the Housatonic road to
reduce its rates on coal to certain towns in
the western part of that state. The company
promised com plance but did not fulfil A
further recommendation was met with practi-
cal refusal The commission laid the facts
before the legislature and an act was speedily
passed authorizing the board to fix rates on
that road.
Another and very recent case illustrates
the value of a commission. and the method of
its working A stopping place for a few sub
urban trains has existed for two or three
years at Forest avenue, in the outskirts of
Dorchester, on the New York a New England
road. Houses we're slowly springing up near
it and the people asked to have more trains
stop there. The company did not think it
would pay and undertook to discontinue the
station but last fall the commission prevent
ed this. This spring the subjeot again came
up, and the following letter from the chair
man of the board explains the facts and the
method of dealing with the company;
J. w. Perkins, Esq, assistant to president of New
York New England railroad cOmpany-Dear Sir:
The board has received your acknowledgement Of its
recommendation that station house be erected aud
maintained at Forest avenue. In reply you state that
after July all stops OF trains at this station will be
discontinued.
Our communication addressed to the president
and directors of the company, and await a reply
from that body Tue course which you propose would
be las appears from the facts set forth in decs-
ion of October 20 act of grossly bad faith toward
tho people who have been led to settle aud make in
vestments at this place by the implied and expressed
promises of the managers of the corporation.
II would also seem like an attempt to punish the
petitioners who In pursuance of law have asked us
to recommend an increase of accommodations aud
who rebuked by the Withdrawal Of all accommo-
datiOus.
The board will not believe that the directors Of the
company will pursue this dishonest and indicative
until compelled to believe 1t by receive
Ing formal vote to that effect. Aud we are conf
dent that the directors have not delegated to any OH
cal In advance authority to make such answer to
a recommendation of this board. Yours truly,
THOMAS RUSSELL, Chairman.
This shows the moderation Of power. 1t
is not difficult to foresee the result But
while the cases cited happen to be against the
roads, il is almost a weekly occurrence that
the board after investigation, sustHins the
company Iu such cases II ia able TO con.
vince the cOmplainants, usually, that the COM
pany il doing all that can be reasonably ex-
pected OF it, This leaves much bettor feel
ing than would follow the oOmpany's refusal
with no means Of popular appeal or redress.