The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-02-19
PRINCIPLE is GOOD
INTERSTATE COMMERCE LAW FINDS
DEFENDERS.

But Portions of Addresses Given Out In
dictate the Organizations Hope Regard
Ing Equitable transportation Charges
and observation-disclosures Commerce
Law a Move in the Right Direction, at
Worst
Chicago, Feb S.-Representatives OF
great commercial centers gathered to-
day at the Board of Trade TO attend
the annual meeting Of the National
Transportation association. About $500
delegates were present, prominent ship
pers end business men from all parts Of
the country and representing a member
ship Of about 20. 600. The meeting, which
was held behind closed doors, was cali
ed to order by President Barry of Mil
waukee, who delivered his annual ad-
dress.
President Barry said the National
Transportation association had been IN
existence for nearly seven years. 1t had
accomplished much, both directly and
indirectly, for those whom il represent
ed. It stood as a restraining influence
for all who viewed might as right, rea-
dy to act forcibly and effectively in any
emergency, and ever agitating and stri
wing TO accomplish needed reforms and
benefits. The association mad ever been
the friend OF the interstate commerce
act and had frequently been called up
on by the commission for advice and
assistance. 1t had been persistentIy at
work for the establishment of a uniform
classification and bill OF lading for use
by all transportation companies in the
country. had advocated fair and equit-
able car service rules which should not
be one-sided in operation but would give
demurrage to the shipper or receiver of
freight who suffered injury or loss
through delay on the part of the carrier,
just as 1T gave 10 the railroad compsny
compensation for tardy unloading Of its
cars. Those and other measures would
be persistently followed until the pur-
poses Of the association were accomplish
cd
He was followed by George ]. Stone.
secretary of the Chicago Board OF Trade.
SECRETARY STONES TALK.
Mr.. Stone spoke about the interstate
comerce act. He said in part:
The act 10 regulate commerce was
passed to secure an equitable diffusion
OF the benefits of transportation and 70
correct abuses which rad almost iElper-
ceptably and very gradually crept into
the administration Of the vast powers
conferred upon railroad corporations, not
for the corporations alone, but for the
people in the prosecution of their bust
ness enterprises; it was not enacted 10
impair any interest but to conserve and
60 protect
THAT the law did not In terms provide
for every possible contingency which
could arise in the application OF the
rights of the citizen and the merchant
in respect TO his proper and equitable
participation in the privileges of trans
portation OF persons and property, nor
define with absolute eXsctness the sta
tus of transportation companies, and has
not effectually restrained great traffic
lines. flush with unhinged exercise of ar
bltrary power. is not by any means
strange or unreasonable. To dislodge
corporate capital, grown through many
years into indifference, to say the least,
TO the wants and rights of the people, |
is an herculs task and cannot be done
a once by the stroke Of a pen or the |
passage of a single act. The roots of |
this dangerous and dictatorial power lies |
deep beneath the surface and can be !
torn up only by persistent efforts. both |
personal and combined, in congress,
courts Of justice and in mercantile asso- |
Citations such as this. The wonder is |
that arrayed against such forces, so thor
oughly entrenched and occupying such |
Vantage ground, the law stands at all
THE position gained must not be aban-
Coned and the natural and inherent
rights OF the people in the transportation
of persons and property must be OBJ
served and secured. When such rights
are involved. there never has been and
never will be any alternative. as they
stand unquestioned. The sooner this is
recognized by those vainly attempting
10 Withhold and circumscribe rights, the
better for their prosperity and the safety
and welfare OF society
The law is salGtary; il is elastic in
respect 70 carriers; il is tentative in its
character; and good faith shown in loval
effects to conform to its requirements viii
not involve reasonable and fair-minded
Officials in any danger of damage or
fine
''The law itself was largely the result
of the evils which have grown ont Of
pooling. II is now proposed not only noe
II forbid but actually 10 install il in the
body Of the law Itself This is a high
banded proposition and attacks the very
citadel of the law. contemplating prac-
tlcally its overthrow \ part of this proD1
osidon which gives il plsusibility is that
the pooling shall be under the control Of
the commission. This means hut little.
in view of the history of the commission.
W aose mandates have in so many in
stances set aside or evaded by those
WHO set lip this proposition. Let the rail-
roai corporations first obey the law and
Cooperate for its enforcement. Let these
gentlemen cleanse their hands before
they raise them in petition at the bar
Of this tribunal remembering that they
must come into court with clean hands
as only such can plead in the temple
OF justice
We take the ground that every rail-
road corporation is entitled 10 A lust re-
Enumeration Tor the services which it per-
forms in carrying on the business Of the
communities through which Il runs. We
desire no inadequate returns for the can
i;al invested. for the labor performed. for
the services and facilities 70 promote a
profitable conduct OF commerce within
our hcfders. We cannot. however, too
severely denounce the injuries and dis
advantages proceeding from an UNEQUAL
distribution Of transportation privi-
leses. We demand without any equivo-
cation tha; the humble striving shipper
and business man shall participate in
the advantages which are enjoyed by
1 L. n,nsr faNnraI caroi. liz. ~ -. -.