The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-30

way, requiring iorty-fve days. Fare from
there and back to Hoxie, including berths
and meals during the entire trip, $780,
The excursion is limited to twenty people,
OF which number are already booked;
consequently those desiring to take ad-
vantage OF the unexcelled trip should
notify Mr.. Grafton without delay.
GENERAL MANAGER JEFFREY.
lie Believes In Just Rates and Division
Of Traffic Between Competitors.
From the Chicago Times.
l.. T. Jefery, general manager Of the
, Illinois Central Road, says: Regarded
as a whole and taking broad view OF
all interests, public and private, CONNER
cjal, industrial and transpoi tation, il is
doubtful il up to this time the Interstate
commerce law has been beneficial. There
are many features of the law which com
mend themselves to iair-minded, intelli-
gent men, but there are other features,
which, judging by practical results, do not
at this time inspire commentator.
'In so far as the law prohibits unjust
discrimination in favor Of or against indi.
viduals, corporations, communities and
localities, 1t is in line with our Constitu-
ton and the love of justice inherent in the
American character. We love fair play.
We admire fair dealing. We demand
even-handed justice. We object TO the
building up OF one individual or interest
nj tho N unAIhnN Nv. Ill
TO stand or fall upon their own merits.
each to hew out IFS own success
or stand responsible for its own
failure. In 80 far, then, as the
law prohibits powerful interests from
building up one individual and crushing
out another, or building up one commune
ity and crippling another, or fostering one
locality and injuring another, il must meet
with general approval and be apublic ben
eft. But where il strikes death blow at
the methods built up through a generation
for maintaining at reasonable figures
transportation rates and giving them some
degree OF stability, without replacing the
old system with something new, practica-
BILE and better, il has proved up 10 this
time detrimental to the leading Interests OF
the country.
efVi N Ntf AtiiA NNlNA uuufI tue OH
methods OF traffic alliances. pool agree.
ments and divisions Of traffic, many in
-35stices were wrought and discrimina-
lions made, a substantial reason why the
old method should have been legislated
out Of existence without the substitution
OF some otter and better plan for accom-
Iushing the same end Determinations
akA injustice could have been prohibited
emphaiically and clearly without do
stroying the bonds which linked the car.
riers together. II could have been made
imperative upon the carriers 10 submit 10
the commission and II need be post pub.
licly all pool agreements aud arrangements
for division OF business and maintenance
OF rates, making them open 10 inspection
and approval Of the commission, aud.
under appeal thercirom, subject to the
courts Of the land. Had this course been
adopted the result would have been that
more contracts between carriers for divis-
ion OF trnilic and maintenance OF rates
were oppressive and productive OF unjust
discrimination, the unjust and discfim-
mating features would have been elimi.
mated thcrcirom by the commission and
the courts. Contracts and agreements be-
tween rail carriers for the purpose Of
maintaining reasonable rates and accord.
ing equitable divisions OF traffic would
have been lcgalizcd aud could have been
maintained in courts Of law.
ut Is well TO hold In view the fact that
In half a century a railway system OF 100.
600 miles, represented by 5000, 900. 900.
has been created In a country which
within that period has more than trcblcd
it, population, and has developed 10 an
enormous extent Its Internal industries
and commerce, ~ that In these respects Il
stands almost unrivalcd among the na.
hons OF the earth. Il II reasonable 30
expect that these grand achievements
could bo accomplished, the unriyalcd
growth be- attained, the marvellous pros
pcrity be built up under n new system
mud method Of transportation, without, in
- Ascrsing the UNEMPLOYED field, dis
EXAMINATIONS, iniusiiccs aud hardships be-
Ing worked upon few, while untold
benefits were being rcapcd by the many2
The wonder must be that injusticts, dis
examinations aud har,lships were ~ lin.
tied ~ the facts have proved them 10 he.
IAN fair-Windcd, right-thinking citi-
zcns now believe that under the now
order Of things which has grown M and
developed In the last half century a code
Of transportation law IL essential 30 the
welfare aud prosperity Of all interests, hut
II should bc borne IN mind that law and
government ought 10 afford equal proicc.
ton 10 all interests, and ought not 10 pave
the way for tho impairment OF one 10 the
advantage OF the others
The effect Of the interstate commerce
law has been 10 impress upon railway
management the wfonglulnc's of the dis.
ordinations aud injusticcs which have
heretofore existed. II has crysializcd sen.
timcnt against special iayor. and adyan.
tagcs. liut In doing this Il has not afforded
protection for we'll conducted and honestly
managed corporations against selfish, rcck.
less and irresponsible rivals. Therefore.
today We find the railway interests Of the
country aud the values OF railway proper.
tics greatly impaired aud deprecated. A
hbuc OF rates covers tircc-iourths OF tho
Union, which is shown 10 be-, by expe.
renee, unfcmuncraiiye aud ruinons, aud
this extensive fabric has been reduced 10
iie present texture by the unscrupulous
struggles for supremacy Of non.conscrya.
tive aud reckless transportation lines.
The remedies for the existing state OF
things lie In judicious amendments 10 the
interstate commerce law. The agreements
for maintenance Of reasonable rates and
the distribution Of traffic between com.
pctitive lines ought 10 be lcgalizcd; made |
subject 10 the inspection and approval of
the Intcralnto Commiasion aul ga for,so. |