Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-06-13

of the immediate effects of it had been
the abandonment OF all pools by carriers
associations, though the pooling which
had been carried on had been reorganized
and conducted under various member
ships to carry our their objects. But it
was the general belief that the division
of business and the diversion of freights,
which had been the most objectionable
| features of the pooling systems, had
ceased entirely, and that the places
which had formerly been held in thral-
dom by the pools, bad since the passage
OF the act enjoyed the advantage OF COM
petition between rival lines. The long
and short haul sections had together
been effective in relieving the smaller
cities, which formerly suffered most from
the blighting, dominating railroad pools !;
but existing traffic associations still man
aged to control rates on certain classes OF
traffic as arbitrarily as in the palmiest
days of the old pooling system. Cases
were pending before the Commission
which involved these questions, and
which might result in breaking up
the arbitrary control still exercised
by the trunk lines over GER
tain important classes of traffic.
If they did not it would be necessary for
Congress to strengthen the pooling sec
ton 80 as to prohibit combinations among
carriers to control traffic. Another no.
ticeable effect of the law had been the
immediate termination of vast number
OF favored shippers. Prominent among
the evils complained of before the pass
age of the Interstate Commerce act had
been secret cutting of rates, sudden fluc-
tuation of rates, and the prevailing sys-
tenn of special rates. These evils have
not yet been entirely abolished, but the
provisions of the law making it unlawful
for carrier to charge more or less than
its schedule rates has very largely put an
end to secret cutting. The changes which
the law had wrought in that particular
were very noteworthy and exceedingly
satisfactory to business men and manu-
facturers, and indeed to all shippers. In
regard to the transportation of passen-
gers, the law had already effected some
very important reforms, and had almost
completely done away with the evils for
merly complained of.
Cullom referred to the payment OF COM
missions, and reviewed cases of discrimi
nation decided by the Commission. In
speaking Of the cases brought by George
Rice against various Southern Railroads,
based on determinations against him
and in favor OF the Standard Oil Com
pany, Cullom said the testimony in these
cases shows beyond dispute that the diff
ferent roads persistentlyl discrimidated
against Rice in every imaginable way.
They had frequently refused to give him
information about rates, and had deceived
him as to the rates when they did name
them. In short the testimony made it
evident that the officers Of the roads acted
in concert to do whatever they could to
interfere with his business, and the pro-
ceedings demonstrated the shameless
subserviency OF the railroads involved, to
the communicating influence OF the most
INSCRIPTIONS combine OF the present
day-the gigantic Standard Oil Trust.
Cullom thought it must be conceded that
the law had been of great value to the
people in reducing rates, especially in
view of the long and short haul plinci-
pie,
Cullom then proceeded to explain
what was proposed to be effected by the
amendments. They would, if in the
law, greatly add to its effectiveness. One
of them was to require three days notice
of reduction of rates. At present no
notice was required for reduction but only
for advance in rates. Another amend
ment proposed was to extend the penal
ties for unlawful discrimination, to i'm
prisonment as we'll as to fines. Another
was directed against the practice known
as "under billing" The practice had in
creased enormously since the Interstate
Commerce act took effect, and was as
clearly unlawful as the payment OF re-
bates or discriminating by any other
device.
In conclusion Cullom said: "There is
no business question in which the people
of the country have a deeper interest,
for the reason that there is none which
bears more directly upon their financial
prosperity. Cheap transportation and
an equality Of rights in its enjoyment,
are the two great demands OF the times,
and the Nation will fail in its duty il it
does not do what it can to secure both to
the people,"
A message from the President was
presented, returning without his ap-
proval private pension bill, on the
ground that the beneficiary had received
no injury in the army. The message
was referred to the Committee on PEN
sions. Another message returning with
out approval bill relieving a Govern
ment contractor for the pay Of an in
debtedness Of s1042 incurred by non-ful-
fillment Of contract, was referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
The Senate then proceeded to the con-
sideration Of the Fertilization Appropria-
tion bill, and was addressed by Dolph
on the subject of Coast Defenses.
The bill went over without action and
the District Of Columbia Appropriation
bill was taken up. 1t also went over
without action, and the Senate ad-
| iaur,ad