New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-27
CRITICISING IHE INTERSTATE LAW.
OPINIONS OF WESTERN RAILROAD MANAGERS
AS TO ADVISABLE CHANGES.

AS TO ADVISABLE CHANGES.
Chicago, Dec. os-Traflc Manager Reeve, Of the
Chicago and Grand Trunk road, says For the last
twelve months l 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 resortcd to various schemes contrary to
law to evade the act, such underblling, payment
Of commissions, appointing shippers as agents, etc
From the beginning l believe the law was a good
one I also was Of the opinion that 1t had come to
stay am Of the opinion to-day, and although
believe It could be amended so as to mako 1t more
operative in every respect, still think that II all
roads would strictly obey the present law In spirit
and letter. It would be far better for the railways
themselves and more satisfactory TO tho commercial
community at large"
Vice President Bond of the Chicago, Milwaukee and
ST. Paul Railway, wants the section prohibiting pool
ing repealed, amendment adopted requiring that
like public notice shall be given when rates are re
duced as when raised, and that such notice shall
be not less than twenty days beforehand,
thirty would be preferable, instead Of ten as
now. The commission should have authority TO sus-
pend such notice. when necessary, to meet the COM
petition of lines working wholly in part by water
or bv way OF Canada. He also favors amendment
prohibiting transportation contracts with shippers for
longer period than fifteen days, with like restriction
as 10 the price Of tickets sold through or to outside
agencies. Section ten, fixing penalty for railway
officials guilty or VIOLATION OF tnc ldN DV
amended 50 as make the penalties alike applicable
TO the shipper who receives a direct pecunary ad-
vantage herefrom.
President sdckney, Of the Chicago, Kansas City ana
ST. Paul Railway, gives expression to much the same
IDEAS ser forth in his speech before the Western Freight
$50 - alton last week. He wants more vigorous
admnis ration Of the law cit is.' he says fatally
defective I'm one respect The right 70 control carries
with II the duty to protect No Government Can
rghfnly take away from the individual the power
Of protecting himself without at the same time ex
tending the protection Of the Government. The act
TO regulate commerce has TO certain extent recog
nized this principle. Before the enactment 1t was
customary where a company was forced by competition
or otherwise to accept less than the emunerave rate
at one point to make II good by higher charge at
intermediate points, and where one company maze
predatory excursions upon another, 10 make reprsais
in the good oil way. Self protection in the manner
indicated Is prohibited by the law, but the law fails
to extend any protection against competitor COM
many making an unremunerative rate and from making
predatory excursions into its ncfghbors bailwlcK
Armed with the power 10 cut rates, the value Oh all
railway property. estimated 10 be oneenth OF all the
property uf all civilized nations, may be utterly de-
,troved Armed With this tremendous power. and
moderate amount of available money the freebootlng
specstor NAV rob and punder at his discretion, both
he railways their and the public who are the
customers Of the railways