The herald., 1894-12-14
THE POOL AND THE PEOPLE,.

throughout the country, are necessarily
interested in all legislation and discus
sion of legislation that will tend to give
them access to the more remunerative
markets at minimum OF cost for trans
portation.
The pooling bill recently passed by
the house nay. @. msy net. be 70 eve
in the right direction-its provisions
have not yet been sufficiently digested
to determine absolutely whether the
railroads or the producers will receive
the most benefit from lite operation as
law. There Is a suspicion, however,
that it is eminently a railroad measure
and that those who have most need Of
protective legislstion will not receive
any benefit whatever from it.
In view OF this probability the recon-
mendations of the United States inter-
state commerce commission. in ite
eighth annual report, are timely.
The commissioners devote some space
to subjects in connection with the rail.
road situation In general. and again ems
the long and short haul clause will en-
courage legitimate and discourage ille-
gitimate competition. The report pre-
sents the facts constituting what is
known as the southern freight war, that
had been going on in the territory south
OF the Potomac river during the past
summer, showing the causes of the war
and the great injury resulting to numer.
GUS places and dealers therefrom. 1t
states that the rates adopted in that
effort to punish one or two competing
carriers. 1t taught no new lessons and
brought about no guarantee of future
Observance OF rates by the parties whom
the cut was designed to injure. The
report also speaks of the unreasonable
rates" on wheat, and of the failure of
many carriers 10 post their tariffs as re.
quired by law.
The classification Of freights is also
considered, and the commission, p oint-
unitication, declares that such result
is not only possible but necessary as a
matter OF public policy. At present
there are three classifications covering
distinct sections of the country. The
carriers in each distinct have agreed on
this matter, but seem now unable to
agree upon and enforce a single classifi-
cation. The passage of a statute au-
thoriz ing the commission to prescribe
such a classification is accordingly urged.
Another important question discussed
is that of overcharges and under.
charges. This. it is we'll known, consti-
tutes one OF the chief evils in the rail-
road situation, and, il railroad men
themselves speak frankly, affords op.
portunity for much OF the discrim ina
tion and underhand cutting. The com.
mission says that the railway service
which pertains to the collection and cor
rection OF charges is conducted with much
and lack OF system and
regularity; that it justiies charges OF
gross carelessness and disregard Of the
rights OF the public. Carriers ought to
publish their tariff rates and schedules
plainly enough and employ agents suffi.
ciently skilled to enable them to quote
correct rates to shippers. The fact that
carriers undertake, after the collection
Of oveIcharges, to adjust the same,
while right and proper in itself, does
not furnish an excuse or justification for |
the practice OF overchsrging to the ex-
VI 10 taA
amendment is suggested to correct this
evil. and the commission takes the step
OF inviting shippers, consignees and |
railroad officials to apply to it by letter
or telegram for information as to rates
in force, which will be promptly given.
This innovation, if generally accepted,
will serve to prevent over and undue
charges, in a large measure. but it is
urged that the only way effectively to
the abuses in question is by spe-
cGc legislation.
Other topics considered by the com.
mission are changes in transportation
rates, through routes and through rates,
and pooling OF rates and divisions OF
On the latter subject ths re-.
port says: ut may be conceded that
much of the effort now being made to
'emove the prohibition against pooling
8 largely prompted by diminution of
ailway revenue caused by open and
ecret cutting of competitive rates, and
t is also generally believed that re.
traint upon compe tition which will
prevent rate cutting is necessary to the
uccessful operation of the law, but
here is the wides. difference of opinion
Is to the means to be employed. a
afe plan of conditional pooling is not
efficient for present needs, though
uch plan would appear to be a rem
dy for many abuses. There are others
qually grave which cannot be cured
Without legislation.
Among the different recommendations
Il the commission are that power be
onterred upon the commission to pre-
cribe minimum as we'll as maximum
ates that section three OF the statute
9 amended 30 as to provide proce dure
u the establishment of through routes