Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-15
e." Section Feur."
To the EdHor Of the DspGtch:

To the Edfor Of the Dspqtch:
It is proposed by the present Leglsla-
ture to attempt TO formulate and pass a
bill that shall extend the benefits OF tho
"inter-State commerce law into and
over the State Of Virginia. One Of the
most vital questions involved IN that bill
and the one most widely known and dis
cussed is section 1, wEIch forblds
the charging OF more for short than
for q long haul, with proyiso.
In this connection it may not be amiss
to call public attention to Massgchu-
sets statute bearing upon this subject.
1t is as follows. and without proyiso
No railroad corporation shall charge
or receive for the transportation OF
freight to any station on It's road a
greater sum than IS at the time charged
or received for The transportation Of the
like class and quantity OF freight from
che same original point Of departure to
station at a greater distance on It's road
III the same direction"
And this same restriction IS extended
TO two connecting roads. The Massa-
chusetts commission in addressing the
select committee of the Uated States
Senate (see pages 81 and "a of report
in reference to this law have this to say
ct has been alleged that this law is a
dead letter. To this the answer has
been made, and it IS now made once
more that no law il this State Is more
thoroughly enforced than this. Indeed
il would be more correct TO say that, IN
stead OF being enforced at all, 1t Is uni
yersally acquiesced in and obeyed.
Imam NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of freight
rates made ayear since with reference to
other questions, and IN some recent in
quirios made with special reference to
this question. the board has observed the
scupulous care with which, IN spite of
temptations, any iniraction OF this law
has been avoided. 1t has remedied
great evil and q great injustice 1t has
helped to save small Industries and small
places from being crushed out of exist
ence it has checked the tendency TO
consolidation. which would build mp ono
pisce or a few places at the cost OF local
enterprise, thus creating tralhc for the
railroads 10y giving occupation to their
customers. And 1t is believed that any
attempt to repeal this safeguard o. fair
dealing would receive almost universal
condemnation from the business men OF
Massachusetts.
The above is what the Massachusetts
commission have to say (aiter the law
has been tested fifteen years about n
statute which forbids the charging OF
more for short haul than for long one
under any circumstances whatever
The United States Senate select com
mittee close their remarks upon this sub
ject as follows (see repor, page, 69) "ln
the way OF practical results the Massa-
chusetts commission Is shown by its
record and by the testimony to have ex-
ercised by its reports and decisions An
acknowledged influence upon railroad
managers in bringing about needed re-
forms. and to have been successful IN the
redress OF grievances and the correction
of abuses. II has held the railroads 10
obediencs to the laws, and has not only
secured the passage OF neediul legisla-
ton, but prevented unwise measures.
Through its recommendations yolun-
airy reductions in rates have been
made and determinations Of differ
.ent kinds done away with. 1t
has secured uniformity in the accounts
and reports of the roads IL has fixed
the responsibility of accidents aud done
a great service in requiring the adoption
of improved appliances for safety. And,
in conclusion. it may be said that the
committee made especial effort, by in
quiries among all classes of the commu-
nifty, to ascertain the popular judgment
in Massachusetts, as 10 the working Of the
commission, and that not a whisper Of
complaint against its methods was heard.
nor was there found any indication OF
dissatisfaction i'll that State with the