The record-union., 1893-02-23

/ iCiSht rates upon All the rOGilS OF IDlS
STATE would be cast upon the Legislature,
bat as to roads whose gross annual earn
1ngs exceed $1,000 per mile, the legisla-
tive rates, no matter how small the net
profits may be, could not exceed the con-
stItutional schedule, but if the gross an
nual earnings per mile do not exceed
$1,000, the legislative rates, no matter
how great the net profits may be, could
be without maximum limit.
'1 our committee believes that it is not
wise to confer upon the Legislature of
this State the duty of fixing railroad
rates. 1t would be a constant source of
contention at every session and with the
constitutional limit of sixty days, the
| Legislature would have little time for the
consideration of any other subject.
"One OF the main reasons for adopting
the provision of the Constitution limiting
the sessions of the Legislature to sixty
days, was the removal from the Legisl3-
| ture OF the veXed question of regulating
the rates of transportation companies.
The people have recently overwhelm-
lngly-Voted down the proposed amend
ment to the Constitution extending the
length of the session of the Legislature.
The adoption of the present Constitu-
tlon Was an expression OF the ma
Jority of the people Of this State
that the subject of fixing rates
of treights and fares should be removed
]
cluslon was based upon years of expert
ence. The establishment OF permanent
Rallroad Commission was believed to be
a remedy for many evils attending the
election of members OF the Legislature,
ana attending every session of the Legis-
lature- II the remedy has not met the
expectation. but has disappointed the
nope oil the people, it is not, necessarily,
the fault OF the constitutional provisions
establishing the commission, but rather
OF the people themselves in their Selec-
ton of the members of the commission.
~ large majority of the States OF the
/ Union have Railroad Commissions, and
the tendency IS so strongly in favor OF
! their establishment that il is believed that
i'll short time no State Will be without
It's Railroad Commission. The Congress
| OF the United States, for the regulation of
/ Interstate commerce and interstate rail-
! road rates, has established an Interstate
/ Commerce Commission, to which the en-
| tire subject OF interstate rates has been
referred. There is no effort made nor in
/ tenuon expressed anywhere to abolish
/ this commission and TO refer the matter
to the necessary investigation and direct
/ determination OF the Congress. In fact,
/ the Interstate Commerce Commission is
growing in favor as the proper solution of
| a difficult problem. Able and fair and
! honorable men compose This commission.
U
as far aud as honorable men should not
compose the Railroad Commission of the
State of California.
The people of this State have the
power to make their Railroad Commits
sion all that could he desired if they
! VIII take the care necessary in the Selec-
ton OF the members of the commission.
| II is easier for the people to select three
ut men for the commission than l20 lit
men for the Legislature. The evils Of the
former system of direct legislative regu-
ls.tlon are not so far behind us as to be
| forgotten or to require enumeration. and
in the opinion OF your committee 1t
would be going backward for California
To return TO the system that produced
those evils. Your committee is also of
the opinion that to adopt as a part OF the
Constitution Of this State Il maximum or
other schedule of uniform distance rates
! for passenger and freight traffic and an
@ ghty page book of commodity clasSit-
cation would be not only a orotesque
departure from the accepted American
/ idea OF what state Constitution should
! be, but would place rigid fetters upon
/ transportation companies III this State
/ which would bring disaster TO some of
! the industries of California, which could
only be remedied by repeal of the pro-
! posed amendment.
~ our committee does not believe that
| it is practical or right that uniform
! maximum distance tariff should apply to
! all roads alike, or TO all sections of the
same road. All roads or all sections of
| the same road cannot be constructed or
operated at uniform cost. 70 do this
would be 10 utterly disregard the cost to
/ the carrier Of its service-an important
factor in making fair and equitable rates.
AS 1t costs more TO construct and oper-
ale road over mountain grades and
curves and through tunnels and suow-
sheds than over level plains, il does not
! appear to be unreasonable that greater
| rates should be charged where the cost to
the carrier Is great and lesser rates where
| the cost to the carrier is small.
1t Is the opinion of your committee
/ that II the amendment as originally pro-
/ posed should pass, many of the short
/ lines of railroad in California which have
/ been built by the communities through
which they run, and without helm from
I others. would be destroyed in the hands
OF their present owners, and if their ex-
| istence should continue they would pass
/ into the ownership and control of other
/ and larger roads, and would not confer
the benefits their promoters righuully
expected. Above all, California needs
additional railroad facilities. There are
[ counties which for years have been work
| ing and hoping for railroad connections
with the larger towns and cities OF the
State.
The proposed amendment, if adopted
would surely retard if it did not perma-
nently stop railroad building, with all
the advantages OF competitive lines in
| California.
The principal objections to the pro-
/ posed amendment have not been met by
any changes suggested to your commit
! tee, and cannot be overcome by the earn
est consideration and manifest good faith
of its proponents and advocates.
"N our committee, therefore, respect
| fully reports said amendment back to the
! Senate with the recommendation that it
/ be not adopted"