The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-31
Pooling Favored.

The cotton exchange passed a resolution
yesterday favoring an amendment to the
interstate commerce law permitting inter-
state railroads 10 make pooling contracts,
aud requesting the senators and representa-
tives from this state to assist in securing
such an amendment. a bill providing for
an ane -dment OF that kind is now pending
in the Senate. Ii was introduced by Sena-
tor Cullom, who is the author of the inter
state commerce law. After a careful study
of the interstate commerce law and consul
tation with the interstate commerce com
isioners he has become convinced that
congress made mistake when it
prohibited pooling. However, he does not
propose to permit the railroads TO make
such pooling contracts as they may think
desirable. His proposition is that all pool
ing contracts shall be submitted TO the in
terstate commerce commissioners for their
approval In that way the public will have
ample protection against excessive rates.
One purpose of the interstate commerce
law is to prevent unjust DETERMINATIONS. It
does not. however, do that. Discrimina-
lions of the most injurious kind are made
and the interstate commissioners cannot
prevent them. The courts have recently
decided that the methods provided
for detecting Determinations are unconsti-
tutlonai. The interstate commissioners
therefore are powerless to secure evidence
against those who violate the law, and,
hence, the railroads continue to make un>
just determinations without fear of pun
ishment. In Washington, recently, Mr..
Roberts, president of the Pennsylvania rail-
road, told the Senate committee on inter
state commerce that he could furnish it any
amount Of evidence of unjust discrimina-
tions OF which the interstate commissioners
had never heard. And the presidents of
other great interstate railroads could. un-
doubtedly, do the same thing
The railroads are willing to accept Sen
ator Cullom's bill repeating that part Of the
interstats commerce law which prohibits
pooling. What they ask is that they may
be permitted to make pooling contracts.
Having the right to do that they will be in
position to get rid Of q great many I'M
necessary burdens and annoyances which
they have to bear now. They can very
we'll afford to allow the interstate
commissioners to supervise the pooling rates.
Indeed, the thoroughly honest roads will
welcome such supervision, because It will
force all the roads to comply strictly with
the contracts.
If pooling were permitted tho railroads
would be able TO increase their net earnings
considerably without any increase In their
transportation rates. They could dispense
with the services of vast army of solicitors,
and would not have to cut rates below the
profit point as they often do now to get the
business Of big shippers. And shippers
would be much better of than now, because,
knowing they could not get a rebate or a
reduction in the rates, they would do BUSH
ness on basis of absolute equality so far as
transportation was concerned.
In western cities there is some opposition
to the granting Of the right to make pool
ing contracts, but 1t is doubtful il it is suf-
hcent to influence congress greatly. II it is
made to appear that pooling contracts
would be helpful to the railroads and not
hurtful 10 shippers or burdensome to the
people it is difficult to see how congress
could consistently avoid permitting them.