Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-20
A BIG FleLoTo COVER.
Extent OF the Railroad Busincss rs shown
by the Interstate Commission.

by the Interstate Commission.
In It's annual report just sent to Con-
gress the Interstate Commerce Commis-
sion says:
The railway mileage OF this country IN
round numbers is about 10000 miles.
The number Of railway employees ex-
ceeds 700, 600, and adding TO these the
number connected with railroad trans
portiion in various capacities, such ms
officials Of roads, officers and en-
ployees OF associations, traffic solicit
tors. legal advisers, and others, the az
gregate is not far from 600, 900, or near
y one-twelfth Of the adult male popula-
ton OF the country. The business done
includes the carriage Of $40, 900. 600 tons
Of freight and AZ, 100000 of passen-
gers. The enormous extent Of the sub
Iect matters of regulation is shown by
these statements, ANY criticism upon
the efficiency Of regulation would OBJ
viously be defective II it failed to take
note Of the vast number OF persons and
the extent Of the business 10 be regu-
lated. The extent of the country is also
Of vast importance Railway regulation
IN small and compact country, where all
the carriers are easily kent under obserya-
ton and where the circumstances vt
carriage IN all parts are substantially
alike, is a small matter compared with
the regulation in a country go extensive
as this whore the transportation il sub
lect to such variety Of circumstance and
where differences in condition Of car
riage in the different sections are so
striking and SO peculiar. That which,
may be q simple task to a regulating
commission in any other country is OBJ
yiOusly far more complicated and diff
cult undertaking in the United States
and one that calls for ceaseless exercise
Of vigilance and exacting labor. A COM
sion in this country has a field Of luris-
diction OF enormous extent. necessa-
rily giving rise TO q great variety OF du-
ties demanding daily attention. Matters
Of importance frequently require prompt
action in various parts of the country ut
the same time. A performance of such
imperative duties as 70 make investlga-
tons, to keep watch over the filing and
publication OF tariffs, 10 examine and re-
NArf NihctlitNll4Ou anu AAlAos w NNAA'NA
and taDulate statistics. and to prepare
decisions upon controyerted questions
leaves little If any opportunity for the
commissioners personally 10 do more
than to lay down general rules for
the regulation of the business I'M
der the law. Prosecution Of offenders
for violations OF the law are undoubtedly
necessary and important means for the
eiiectual enforcement of its provisions,
and several prosecutions Of this character
have been instituted and carried on at
the instance of the commission. But
the enforcement OF the rules laid down.
and especially of the penal provisions Of
the statute, must largely be left to the
parties injured 10y their violations or
10 the public authorities in the
sections where the violations oc-
cur. Had the commission the power,
which has been asked for heretofore, TO
mako and conduct investigations through
agents clothed with the authority TO call
for the records and papers Of the carriers
when the Published rates are believed
not 10 be observed, or when in any other
particular there Is reason 10 suspect that
the law is being disobeyed it would then
have in it, hands q means Of enforce
ment which at this time does not exist.
The need of these auxiliary administra-
tive agencies TO act under the direction
of the commission and carry on certain
portions Of the work simultaneously at
various places has long been felt, and
would evidently greatly facilitate the
work Of regulation and add to It's utility,