New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-24

TILE RIIIIIa PRORLEM.

The communication printed elsewhere in this
paper on the subject Of interstate railway legs
latOn is deserving of consideration as oHerlng
some practical suggestions from a representative
of the class Of business men most interested
next TO the railroads themSelves-in the subject
Mr. Wells the writer Of the communication, has
been for wears one of the largest shippers or
lumber i'm Chicago. and has consequently given
close attention to the railway problem. We say
problem for problem it certainly is. ana Dlds
fair TO continue to be. so long as Congress con-
tnues TO legslate upon It from the point OF
Wow either of inexperienced and impractical
theorists or of fanatcal anti-monOpOlists who
can see nothing in the operations Of great rail
way corporations except a conspiracy OF capital
against labor. or a wicked pervcrson Of the law
of eminent domain to the ruin Of producers and
the intimidation Of profits on all business de-
pendent on transportation. The Interstate Com
merce law was enacted with good purpose,
Notwithstanding the obvious fact that in its pro-
visions the rights Of the owners ana builders
Of railroads were almost entirely lost sight OF
in the necessity that seemed to exist to protect
their customers. the commercial and shipping
Interests from unequal tariffs and excessive
rates. 1t may also be said that the railroad
managers brought this prejudcial legislation
upon themselves by their inability to agree and
the fragrant dishonesty Of their dealings with
each other and the public
All the same it has TO be said that the inter
state railway legislation Of Congress has been,
though not unproductive of good in some direc-
tons. almost an entire failure In its general re-
suits Without going into details, 1t is enough
TO say thar under its operation. or In spite or H.
the transportation interests OF the country nave
suffered almost incalculable losses during the
last eight years. without any compromising al
vantage having been gained by the CONNER
cial producing. trading or working class. IL Is
not a sufficient answer to this that 1t would not
have been otherwise had the great railroad cor
pOrations been permitted TO 60 on without check
i'm the rate-cutting and hroat-cutting business in
vogue before the enactment OF the law. Con
cress If it was 10 interfere at all, should have
interfered as well in the interests OF the railroad
companies and their stockholders as OF the ship
pers who complained Of instability and Unequal
itv Of rates and extOrtionate charges To It's
failure 10 do this may he attributed in very large
degree the Insolvency Of the great railroad cor
porations now in the hands Of receivers and the
general depression in the value Of railroad Sc
cllrties, the i'll effect OF which is not only felt
by large constituency Of sufferers but is visible
as well in the depreciation Of the National credit
To the specific proposition Of Mr.. Wells, rs to
the constitution Of new commission and the
authority and powers to be invested in it, there
may be grave objections of a practical character
which will occur at once to those most inter
estci But the suggestion that all classes di-
rcctly interested in the transportation problem
should be represented in commission duly APP
pointed and empowered to investigate 1t In all
its bearings seems both reasonable and prac
teal. II is a question OF supreme Importance
not only as involving the rights of shippers and
the corresponding rights and duties Of the trans
portation companies, but as affecting powerfully
through the vast volume of securities held at
home and abroad the credit and standing Of the
Nation. In this latter view alone II taxes the
resources Of craftsmanship, and calls for the
exercise OF the highest wisdom.