Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-10
A ZIG FIELD TO COVER
Extent OF the Railroad Basiness ~ shown ~
the Interstate Commission

Extent OF the Railroad Busines> ~ S"~"~ -
the Interstate Commission.
In its annual report Just sent 10 Consros
the interstate Commerce commission says
The railway mileage OF this country IN round
numbers is about leo, 900 miles. Tho hummer
Of railway employees exceeds 100000 ana so"ns
to these the number connected with railroad
transportation In various capacities, soen ~
officials OF roads officers and employees OF s~so-
Citations. traffic collectors. legal advisers anu
others, the aggregate Is not far from i,oW.""'
or nearly ono-twclfth Of the adult male popuiA-
ton o. the country. The business done IN
oludes the carriage OF $40 600 900 tons OF freight
and 472.O oo.c0o of passengers. The enormous
extent Of the subject matters Of regulation N
shown by these statements Any criticism
upon the efficiency Of regulation would OBJ
yiously T. defective il il failed 90 take note OF
the vast number Of persons and the extent OF the
business To he regulated. The extent OF the
country is also of vast importance. Railway
regnlstion in small and compact country,
where all the carriers easily kept under
observation and where the circumstances OF
carriage IN all parts are substantially
aiiAe, Is small matter compared with
the regulation in country extensive
as TINS. where the transportation is subject 20
snch variety of circumstance and where differ
'nces IN condition Of carriage IN the different
sections are so striking and 50 peculiar. That
"hSh may ne simple Itrh 10 Nrtgulatn&
commission IN any other country IL obyiouslya
lar more complicated and difficult undertaking
IN the nltcd States and one that calls Tor
ceaseless exercise OF vigilance and exacting
labor. commission in this country has n field
OF jurisdiction of enormous extent, necesa-
riiy giving rise a. a great variety of duties de-
manning daily attention. Matters OF import
ance frequently require prompt action in va
iious parts W the country at ehc same time
performance of such imperative duties as 10
mike Investigations. TO keep watch over the
ming ANA publication Of tariffs, TO examine and
revise classification and rates. to collect and
tabulate statistics and TO prepare decisions
upon contrcverted questions leaves little II any
opportunity ior the commissioners personally
10 do more than to lay down general rules
Tor The regulation Of the business I'M
der the law. Prosecution Of offenders
Tor violations Of the law are undoubtedly
necessary and important means for the effect
uai eEiorcVinent ot it's provisions, ana several
prosecutions Of this character have been in
sututed and carried ON nj the instance of the
commission. But the enforcement of the rules
laid down. and especially of the penal provis-
lions OF the statute. must largely be left Co the
parties injured by their violations or to the
pubic authorities in the sections where the
Nioiations occur. Had the commission the
power, which has been asked for heretofore, 10
make and conduct invo stigations through agents
clothed with the authority to call for the records
anu papers OF the carriers when the published
rates are believed not TO be observed. when
IN amy other particular there is reason TO sus-
poet That IN, law L. being disobeyed. it would
then have an 1t hands means Of enforcement
winch at tl.iS time does not exist. The need OF
these auxiliary administrative agencies 90 act
under the direction of the commission and
carry ON certain portions of the work stimuli
ttiieous!y NJ various places has long been felt,
ana would eNld, atty greatly facilitate the work
o. regulation anG add To its utility.