The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-27

CHICAGO, ILL.,, Dec. PA number OF
additional interviews with railroad man
ayers on the interstate commerce law, are
printed today.
Traffic Manager Reeve, OF the Chicago
Grand Trunk Road, says; "For the past
twelve months | do not believe that the
provisions OF the interstate commerce law
have been properly observed by many OF
the railways. On the contrary, they have
rsorled to various schemes contrary TO
law TO eyado the act, such as underbiiling,
payment Of commissions, appointing ship
pcrs IA agents, etc. From The beginning
| believed the law was a good one. | also
was of the opinion that II had come to
stay. am Of the same opinion today,
and although believe it could beamended
50 as to make II more operative IN every
respect, | still think that II all roads would
strictly obey the present law in spirit and
letter, il would be iir better for the rail.
ways themselves and more satisiactoryto
the commercial community at large. y
Nirc.Prsidcnt Pond, OF the Chicago,
Milwaukee Il II. Paul Railway, wants the
section prohibiting pooling repealed; an
amendment adopted requiring that like
public notice shall he given when rates
are reduced, when raised, and make such
notice not Ices than twenty days thirty
would be- prcierablc-insicad Of ten, rs
now. The Commission should have au-
| thority to suspend such notice when nee
/ cssnry 10 meet the competition Of lines
working wholly or in part by water or via
| Canada. lie also iavors an amendment
prohibiting transportation contracts with
| shippers Tor a longer period than fifteen
| dpys, with a light restriction rs 10 the
price OF tickets sold through or TO outside
/ agencies. Section 10. fixing penalty for
railway officials guilty Of violation OF the
| law, should bc amended so rs 10 make the
penalties alike applicable To the shipper,
who receives direct pecuniasy advantage
! thcrcirom.
President Siickncy, Of the Chicago, Kan
sas City 4 ~. Paul Railway, gives expires
! sion to much the same ideas set forth in
| his speech before the Western Freight As.
| ISOLATION last week. lie wants more Wig
Crous administration Of the law II is. he
says, fatally detective in one respect. Tho
| right 10 control carries with 1t the duty h.
| protect. No government can rightly take
away nom the individual the power ol
protecting himself without at the same
| time extending the protection Of the gov
| eminent. The "Act TO regulate com.
MERGE has 10 n certain extent recognized
this principle Before the enactment II
was customary where n company was
forced by competition or otherwise to nc
ccpt less than the remunoratiyo rate at ont
point 10 make II good 10y higher charg,
at intermediate points. and where one COM
| pany made predatory excursions upon nn,
other to make reprisals in the good old
way. SELF protection in the manner indi'
/ Gated is prohibited 10y the law, but the
law fails TO extend any protection
against q competitor company making an
unrcmuncratiye rate and from making
/ predatory excursions into its neighbor',
/ bailiwick. Armed with the power to cut
rates, the value Of all railway property
| estimated 10 be onc-tcnih Of all the prop
crty Of 40 civilized nations, must be ut
terry DESTROYED. Armed with this tire
mcndons power aud moderate amount
OF available money. the ircc-booting spccu
laior may rob aud plumber ut his discrc
ton, both thc railways, their owners an,
the public, who are the customers OF tn
| railways.