The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-20
THE INTERSTATE Avn.

WASHINGTON, Dec 19-The report Of
the interstate commerce commission for
the year ended Nov. 80, was today trans
NIT ed to congress. The commission Is
gratifed at being able to state that many
railroad managers of the highest standing
now concede the necessity for govern
mental regulation and avow themselves
in favor of further enactments that will
make this regulation effective. The re-
port says that those who contrast the
practices which obtained prior to the en-
actment of the law, with the methods and
conditions now existing viii have no
doubt of the practical value of the statute
It is not too much TO say that judicial ln-
depreciation has changed the meaning OF
the law and ascribed to it an intent not
contemplated when it was passed. But
the effect of these decisions is greatly eX-
aggerated Judicial construction has not
invalidated the essential features OF the
statute, nor condemned the general primer
pie on which it is founded. and only in re-
spect to the appliances provided for carry
ing its main purpose into effect has the
law been weakened by the judgements OF
the courts The original act WAS IN
measure experimental, but only Two
amended acts have been adopted, and 1t is
surprising that so much has been accom-
pished with so little aid in the form of
needed amendments.
The report sets forth that there are now
on file with the commission $4,000 tariff
schedules. The character of the proceed
ings before the commission indicates that
the main causes of complaint arise from
determinations and preferences IN rates
and facilities and not from rates unreaSOn-
able in themselves. The collection of sta
tistics from the earliest period possible to
the present time, showing the changes In
rates, indicate material decline in rates
and a classification of the prescribed rates
which appears universal. The commission
thinks that the minimum has not been
reached.
The late decision Of Justice Brewer as
to the long and short haul clause, deciding
that the total joint rates Of two roads over
an independent line, from lines formed by
either road, are not to be considered in de-
termining the local rate of either road, and
therefore may be even less than the inter
mediate or local rate, Is shown to be with
out foundation. To protect all intermedi-
ate localities and interests from the
disastrous effects of this judicial interpret
alton, congress is earnestly urged to take
such Immediate action as will give legls
latiye construction to the word 'llne" IN
the statute.
Several amendments recommended for
the purpose of strengthening the law are
discussed. Regarding the proposed
amendment by which pooling is to be per
mitUed, the report says:
1.-The attempt TO secure the public from
discrimination and eXtortion and to secure
to every citizen just and equitable rates
and equal and exact treatment in all trans
portation matters is the very essence,
spirit and purpose of the law, and 1t
would be vain to protect carriers from
competitive attacks upon each other If
the general public cannot be protected
from the greater evils above enumerated.
If the law Is to be amended the two
classes of amendments should go hand in
hand until the law is made strong. 1t is
idle to seek to protect the carriers, whose
immunity under authoritative construct
ions of the law from the restrictions lu-
tended by congress. Sc ms one of the re-
markable facts of current history."