The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-13

mence with which the senator from Mis-
souri, was attempting TO conceal the facts.
Where there was so much smoke there
must be some fire.
Mr.. Call argued that the resolution was
an indirect reflection on the high char
acter OF the Secretary OF tho Treasury, and
that II could have no practical use.
Mr.. German deprecated the introduce
ton of party politics on such subject,
and complimentod Senator Sherman for
his remarks yesterday and for his having
aided in the legislation authorizing the
purchase Of bonds. He regretted that the
subject had been brought in as football to
be kicked around, with n desire to embar-
rass the treasury department and TO bring
about financial disaster before the presi-
dental election. II anyinvestigation were
required in the matter IL should be made
by n committee OF the Senate-a body or
ganizcd in opposition to the administra-
ton. lie therefore moved the reference
OF the resolution 10 the committee on
finance.
Mr.. Stewart said he did not want IL re-
fcrred 10 that committee, because he did
not want the resolution 10 he killed. The
resolution went over without action until
tomorrow.
lnt appropriation Dlll lOT lllt utDNIl
ment Of agriculture was reported from the
committee on appropriations and placed
on tho calendar.
On motion OF Mr.. Cullom the bill to
amend tho interstate commerce law was
taken up, and Mr.. Culom proceeded to
address the Senate in explanation and ad-
yocacy Of IL: The passage OF that act, he
said, had marked new era in the man.
Of ha nj
United States. One Of tho immediate ei-
iccts Of the law had been the abandonment
of all pools by the carriers; but the 1850
Citations, through which the pooling had
been carried on, had been rcorgnnized and
continued under various memberships 10
carry out their objects, such M the making
of regulations Tor the interchange of traffic,
the arrangement Of classiiications the max
ing Of joint rates and numerous other mat
tiers Of detail. But II was the general belief
that the division Of business and the
diversions OF ireights which had been the
most objectionable features Of tho pooling
system, had ceased entirely and that
places which had been formerly held in
thraldom by the pools had, since tho
passage OF the act, enjoyed the advantage
OF competition between rival lines.
The pooling and short haul sections had
together been effective in relieving the
smaller cities which formerly suffered most
from the blighting domination Of tho rail-
road pools, but the existing traffic asocia-
ton still managed 10 control rates on GER
tain classes Of important traffic M arbitra-
rily ~ in the palmiest days OF the old pool
ing system. Gases were pending before
the commission which involved these
questions, and which might result in
breaking up The arbitrary control still ex-
crciscd by the trunk lines over certain inn
ported classes OF traffic. II they did not
II would bo necessary for Congress 10
strengthen the pooling section NJ ~ 10
prohibit combinations among carriers 10
control traffic. Another noticeable effect
OF the law has been the immediate termi.
nation OF u vast number Of special freight
contracts under which relates and
drawbacks had been paid favored shippers.
Prominent among the evils complained Of
before the passage oi the interstate com
mcrce act had been the secret cutting OF rates
the sudden iluctuaiion of rates and the
prevailing system Of special rates These
evils had not yet been entirely abolished,
but the provision Of law making Il unlaw-
ful for n carrier 10 charge more or less
than iis schedule rates, had very largely
put an end 90 secret rates cutting. The
changes which the law had wrought In
that particular were very noteworthy aud
exceedingly satisfactory 10 busincss men
and manufacturers and indeed 10 all ship
pcrA
In regard 20 tho transportation Of pas
scngrrr The law had ALREADY effected some
very important reforms. and had almost
completely done away with the evils for.
merry complained Of.
Many railroads had discontinued the
giving of passcs entirely, though most Of
them Issued passes good for transportation
within a single State. This practice af
fOrlcd many opportunities oi evading the
prohibitions Of the interstate act. and the
evil could not bc effectively dealt with un.
al the State Legislatures prohibited the
giving Of passes good within the respective
States.
Two eases Of discrimination against col.
orcd pcople Ia the south had been brought
before the commissioner. and Ia both In.
stances the commissioners had decided
that the accommodations furnished were
unsatisfactory and the treatment Of the
col0rrd passengers unjust. Thanks Ia the
Interstate commerce Law, the oolorcd PEG.
pie Of the south lcyon II denied their 10.
ity Ut treatment from the railroads at least
Mr.. Cullom rciorpd 10 the payment Of
commissions ~ an abuse. and reviewed
the caSs 81 discrimination decided by the
submission 10 show what the operations
oi the law had been on this inspect In
speaking II the ctsca brought 10y George
Ricc against various southern railroads.
based un Determinations against him aud
Ia iayor II the Standard oil company. Mr.
Cullom said. The testimony la thesc
cascs showed beyond dispute that the dc
icndant railroads hal pcrsistcnily discfim.
mated against Mr. Rco Ia every imag.
inablo way. that they had frequently ~.
ius,d a. give hun Information about their
rates. aud had deceived him as 10 the
rates when they did name them. In short.
the testimony made ID evident that the
officers ui thCEo road. acted In concert,
doing whatever they could 60 interfere
with his business, and uhc proceedings In
licse cases demonstrated the shameless.
Gulscfyicncy Of the railroads involved h
the communicating Influence II the most
INSCRIPTIONS and unc1nscionablo com.
bine' Of tie present day--thc gigantic
Standard oil trust"
Mt. Cullom thought tia, Il must b,
oonccdcd that tic Law had bccr
OF very great value 10 tho people In TO
ducing mates. inOr 10 April, 1857, IN,
pariico oi changing moro Al intermodiai,
local points Lhan al morc distant com
pcuiiyc points was universal, aud III,
smaller towns and cities were being gradu
ally pushed out by reason OF iayofitisu
shown 10 commercial ccntsn" and com