New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-10-17
,,JrpO1DS AND BUSINESS.
rxr ROBERTS. OF THE PENNSYLVANIA
FS'' -, GIVES HIS VIEWS on THE
->-rrRsrATE COMMERCE LAW
-, IRIS WORKINGS

GIVES M
,.rrRsTATE COMMERCE. LAW
AID IT'S WORKINGS.
.oos,, return from Europe. President
'~ g. Roberts. OF the fehhSS N"l'' NAM o@u
Geofse - in excellent health. and takes whole
conpA"', - ,hos, affairs i'm which every Ameri-
s0ns v" ,.i,ol interest On a recent brief visit
car mas ,.v no talked freely with reporter on
70 ' " outlook especially as concerning the
ihe p"s Of This country Among other things he
r,lrcsds Oh '''''
aid: ,o,,,,. that there VIII be speedy
III rebound from the present depression,
Of '@1 a. look for q gradual and general improve
p0' bicb viii be evidenced by an active demand
nsa' ins investments on the part OF capitalists.
for pA'' .ra depression the money capital OF the
D@rH's Aos been almost valueleSS. inasmuch as
CUM! r., IT.. possessors practically 10 returns:
Il VS l think be drawn into active uses. and
FN",,ulate enterprise ia many directions. so
q" So 900 may look for greater activity In all
'aa - If trade and manufacture. so far as my
n'.,tion goes. there is already general return
o'shout the country TO manufacturing actN-
'H .ha manufacturers of iron are more active
W' NO, for year past 1t Is true that prices
%" ,nost down TO cost. but there should he an
or eve" ..oept in them. The relations between the
inp'V,. If our railroad system and the pros
psf :, manufacturers in general. aud iron manu-
w.. especially are, OF course. verg intimate
~ ,.lroads enormous purchasers ana any
Ih or diminut!on of their purchasing power
lIa-nediately and severely felt in many branches
.,.se The material account of the fehhsYi-
vs., Railroad is less to-day by =" per cent IMAM
/. was year ago
"vo,bng would probably 10 a greater degree
y" such restoration of public confidence and
%"-,, prosperity than to have policy estab-
t1's under which the more important railroads
HsA r,,ted States would receive such compen-
.'.. Cor their service would enable them TO
''I" nroner and reasonable returns on the large
capta invested IN them
'"r ~. cams sometimes as II he true relations OF
. ,,oad properties to the public were not gem
Wv IN, understood They constitute the foundation
..ns A. commercial prosperity, and any tamper-
=. nth them impars. nay threatens, the destruc-
=, the whole fabric. In = country like the
- s,ates q continent of great distances. the
~, ,ransportation bear most significant re-
, "a the public prosperity. Through their
me- "a carry passengers promptly and securely
49, mint 10 point on the vast areas, transfer
-.-cbandise from the point o. its production TO
-. hes, market handle raw material and ship
s,,.bsd nroducs the United states has largely at
..,ad lie present exceptional industrial develop
msnt 49,. Connection, 10 M,
,,s,e 10 say represent that interest OF all others
- ,o,,,1 no the most carefully guarded by
,,oser legislation and the most larry uedled y!
,ie publiC 1t is OF the utmost iipor'amCS u"S
.ae r. r. ,naintained in good condition. anu tnuS
msi ~ discharge TO the public those duties
vhch they were chartered to perform. anu 10, iOr
sach they exist; and this cannot be unless they
snVm .i tod 70 charge fair prices for their ser
wees They must have IL in thcir power 10 az a.
,as ~ rates The apprehension that they would
rharge excessive rates is not iounIea on iac' nO
borne out ~, BY RaI eoGntTy with its thousands
~ branch lines and short roads lsoiatea Sases ~
which excessive rates were chSrsen, , Uu ons,ers
rnlmportant and not worthy OF serious cohSne'"
lion In connection with this lroblem- .,.;,,
W The Government OF the United states harins
taken away from the railway companies tne po"pI
~ enforce the agreements made between thein-
selves in regard TO rates. has 70 tha' eNee.t
sunni the management OF the roads II Is there
sue ,h AMY Of The Government supplement this
ssIslation by such laws will enable these prop
sre: to be rgh ny 5%sc As they now are under
The operation OF the Interstate commerce law theS
resemble ship stripped OF us sans, nerry ~ rho
waves. . To-. mora ~ tho
interests Of the country to enact laws competing
fhe railway companies 70 charge fair compensation
10 be regulated by agreement under proper SUPER
ION now prevailing over the great highways OF the
continent The railway companies, before me pas
sage of the Interstate Commerce law, MADE pools
and through them endeavored 20 regulate their rates
There being no law by which such agreements could
good faith. This was not always sufficient; thQugh
In general it awaited But this right having pesn
taken away, the rates are now subject 10 .Hc
whins of lines in many cases wholly irresponsible
1T seems therefore. that thoughtful mind must
conclude from the results Of the Interstate COM
merce law. in the last two three years espe-
cially when commercial activities nave been cur
tailed. that in the effort OF Congress TO take away
from the transportation interests OF the country
the of sustaining fair and reasonable rates:
condition OF affairs has been brought about far
disastrous 10 the general public than couid re-
sui; from any reasonable law that permitted these
companies to make proper agreements TO prevent
destructive competition.
Probably no matter is Of more importance 10 the
welfare Of our country than the enactment OF proper
laws for the regulation Of the great transportation
interests In fact. believe this stancG hardy sec,
ond 10 the tariff problem which has recently claimed
50 much attention. and has agitated so deeply inc
whole country. The laws which have been enacted
have beer 50 hastily prepared and are 50 crude
that the notifications that have been suggested
have not received the attention which the interests
involved would seem to demand; and 1t VIII not
BE until the public clearly understands that the
prosperity Of the railroads il vital To the pros
periiy OF the country that we can expect thought
fu consideration Of the question and a proper
recognition Of the intimate relation between the
shipper and transporter This will be finally brought
about however and the public and railway cor
1o'ailons will then mutually share in the advantages
accrlng from such legislation"
nj 4