The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-01
from at pleasure, but pooling is now out OF
their power, being forbidden by law

LnSlE power, Delng 1OrDldden by law.
CONSOLIDATION THE NEW SCHEME.
With pooling prohibited, the tendency among
railroads seems to be likely in the direction of
consolidation as the only means OF efteci
tual protection against mutual 1ealousles
and destructive rate wars. But anything
equivalent to consolidation of all the ROADS
or the country under a single head or even
those Of a considerable section, whether by
merging or by the formation of confederation,
which should have the powers OF legal control,
or by the creation of what is now technically
denominated trut, could hardly be supposed
possible, even il the parties were at liberty TO
form it at pleasure If the parties could come n.
into harmony on the subject, an arrangement OF
this sort would be so overshad,
owing, so powerful in its control
over the business interests of the country ana
so susceptible of being used for mischievous
purposes in many ways, that public policy
could not for a moment sanction 1t, at least
unless by statute il were held in close legal re-
stTaints and under efectual public supervision
and control
TOO THREATENING
Voluntary arrangements of the kind in other
lines OF business are already sufficiently
threatening to the public interest, and the
most ardent advocate of the concen-
traton of railroad authority hcan
not reasonably expect that anything of sort
to control the transportation of the country
will be provided for by legislation. Without
legislation TO favor it, little can be done beyond
the formation of consulting and advisory asso-
Citations and the work of these is not only neces-
sariy defective, but it is also limited to a cir
cumscribed territory. In the absence of any
such concession OF authority carriers by
rail have it in their power to
do very much toward establishing
better relations with the public at large and
toward performing better service for the public
by first establishing better relations among
themselves. The need of this is very impera-
tive The first requisite to the establishment
OF better relations among carriers by rail- would
seem to be recognition on their part OF the fact
that they seem to the public to constitute
class with to some extent, at least, common IN
uerests and likely to be controlled by the same
motives.
While the commission is not at this time pre-
pared to recommend general legislation toward
the establishment and promotion or relations
between carriers that shall better subserVe the
public interest than those which are now COM
mon, it must, nevertheless look forward to the
possibility of something OF that nature becom-
ing at some time imperative, unless great I'M
provement in the existing condition of things is
voluntarily inaugurated
EFFECT UPON DISTRIBUTION.
The report considers the subject Of the
effect of the law upon distribution, showing
that the result of the adjustment of rates
required by the act has been in some cases
to afford a larger choice of points OF ..distri-
button to interior towns and thus lessen the
injurious traffic distributing points formerly
favored in rates.
The subject of uniform classification is
treated at length, the history Of former
and present legislations beginning with
a discussion of the principles of
property applicable After stating the great
difficulty in framing a universal classical
ton and the effect it would have upon local
interests, the commission concludes that
uniformity in Classification as fast and as
far as it can be accomplished without
serious mischiefs, is desirable.
The subject of the payment of commits
sions is treated extensively. The reasons
advanced in support of the system are
stated, but the commission believe that the
evils of the system are much more clearly
apparent than its advantages. The subject
is thought to be of sufficient importance to
justify the commission in bringing it to the
attention of congress.
PUNISHABLE oFFENSES.
There are provisions in the act as it now
stands which would render a carrier, its
officers or agents punishable if, by false bill
ing, false classification, false weighing or
false report of weight, or by any other de-
vice or means whatsoever, they shall give
undue or unreasonable preferences or ad-
vantages. The commission believes that
the penal provisions against wrongs of
this nature should embrace also the owner
of the property, or any party acting for the
owner or consignor of the property, who
shall be party TO any such unlawful con-
duct. The commission recommend that the
carriers engaged Independently in inter
state traffic on the rivers, lakes and
other navigable waters of the coun-
try be put in respect to making,
publishing and maintaining rates, upon
the same footing with interstate carriers by
rail. 1t is believed that they will be bene-
fitted rather than harmed thereby. and that
the excuses now made by carriers by rail
for the great disparities in rates for CORE
spending transportations as, between points
which are, and points which are not,
affected by water competition. would
thereby to large extent be taken away.