, 1890-09-21
The G. A. R. BIG CHIEF.
Gen. W. G. Weary, commander-in-
Chief of Organized Veterans.
In Cheyenne for a Few Minutes and
is Coming Back.
Also a Member of the Interstate
Commerce Commission.

time yesterday en- route from Denver to
Salt Lake. The distinguished veteran
was met at the depot by a delegation OF
Reynolds Post, G.. A. R., of this city, he
having sent a telegram in advance to
Capt. n. j. O'Brien. The talk of the
old boys with the big chief was of an in
formal character, relating mostly to de-
partment affairs. Gen. Veazy returns
from the West Tuesday, and will then be
given a reception.
Gen. Weary is also a member Of the
interstate commerce commission, and it is
duty in this connection hat brings him
to the mountains and plains. He was In
terviewed at length oil railway matters by
a Denver reporter.
What is the trouble in Salt Lake,"
was the first question.
The Zion Cooperative company, a
large mercantile corporation there, COM
plains that nearly all the railroads enter
ing Salt Lake City are charging them ex-
cessiye rates.
"What has the commission done
lately?"
I'VE have recommended some amend
ments in the interstate commerce law,
which congress has not acted on, except
IN a few immaterial instances, such as the
laws regulating procedure, and the adj
ministration of the law. but those we con
sidcred most vital, such as the extention
oil the power and scope of the commits
sion, have remained until now IN
touched"
Are the railroads and shippers gener-
ally satisfied with the interstate commerce
law"
YES, | think So
Nearly all railway Journals are pub
fishing editorials in every issue, inveieh-
ing against the commission as a collection
of lawyers who know nothing about rail
road matters. and who make arbitrary or
ders which are exceedingly unjust, and
deplore the fact that there were not some
practical railroad men appointed who
would know something about how to ad-
just rates without injustice to the railroad
companies. What have you to say about
these charges
That's an old complaint, but there is
nothing in it. Of course there are no dis
tinctrvely railroad men on the commission
but most of them are men of great abili-
ty. Judge Cooley, of whom you have
heard. is one Of the most eminent %jurists
in this country, and all of them have had
more or less to do with railroads 10 their
practice, and since becoming members Of
the commission have made a special study
of the subject to prepare themselves to
granple with the difficulties OF the situa-
ton"
DO you have many complaints Of the
violation Of section % Of the interstate
commerce law, regulating the issuance of
passes?'
mo; that would come under the iuris-
diction of the United States courts, be
ing a criminal %offense, and, besides, peo-
pie who get passes will not make
complaint, and usually no one else knows
anything about it"
You speak of the illegal issuance of
passed being a criminal offense, Are not
all infringements of the M law
criminal, and do you have no Jurisdiction
over violations of the law regulating the
issuance of passes?"
PLEASE remember that the interstate
commerce commission is not a court; we
do not try railroad companies Tor alleged
violation; merely investigate the charges
and if in our Judgment they have not
complied with the law, we order them to do
so, which, if they do not obey, is enforced
by the court. when they may then try
their case on the evidence. All cases
which we investigate are not criminal by
any means. For instance, complaint is
received hat a certain company is
charging unreasonable rates. The com
pany, in making their rates, may believe
that they are lust and that the company
could not afford to reduce them. We in-
vestigate the matter, and if in our opin-
ion the rates are too high we order them
reduced. So far, it Is a question of
opinion between the railroad company
and us, and if our order is not obeyed it
becomes a question Tor the civil court
to decide.
With the issuance OF passes the case
is different. The law specifically provides
that passes may be issued to certain classes
OF persons, and to no others. When this
law. is violated it is a penal %otfense. If
information comes to us OF such violation
of the law, we notify the attorney of the
district and have nothing further to do
with it. With reference to another ques.
ton you asked as to whether the railroads
and shippers generally favored the inter.
state commerce law, | will supplement my
former answer by saying That some OF the
railroads and shippers do not favor il, but
they are in the minority. Shippers who,
under the former regime, were accustomed
to receive favors at the hands of the rail,
roads, in the shape of rebates and free
transportation, of course don't like it, and
railroads that were accustomed to employ,
ing such methods for obtaining business
do not like the change Many railway
managers tell us, however, that getting
business under the interstate commerce
rules is the true basis on which to dc
business"
What is the method of procedure be.
fore the commission"