The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1897-06-05

plex problem presented there has been
| solved the question Of moving ton of
freight greater distance for a less sum
Of money than any other country. Our
| passenger service, In speed, comfort, regu-
larity and safety has been the admiration
OF the world. Let Legislatures, the press,
and the public give fair support to this
great industry, helping to conserve instead
of to destroy, and the railroads Of Amer
lea will make such progress as will wiring
admiration and praise from even their I'M
friendly critics.
To Prevent General Decentralization.
Though the present outlook is far from
encouraging, and the recent decision of
the Supreme Court declares that all at
Temps at uniform action are illegal, We
seek for no legislation that will increase
rates or add TO the burden Of the general
public. The proposed pooling bill recently
introduced in the United States Senate
by Senator Foraker of Ohio means at
the best sort of breakwater to prevent
general decentralization. 1t Is the best
means thus far devised to legalize free
dom of agreement between competing
lines SO that oil shippers may secure just,
reasonable and uniform rates. In the ma
cessity for uniform action regarding rail
ways was recognized, and this measure is
only taking up the question where Con-
gress laid it down and carrying the legis-
lation step further. To hold these prop
critics together and to give the people the
full benefit las l have shown of dis
bursement reaching nearly twelve hun
dred million year, we must get nearer
a uniform management. The work of tho
railways must, in short, be carried on
with uniformity and method. This can
best be done by the several railway sys-
TENS working as they do. Under the law,
as proposed, when the rates are finally
agreed upon by the competing roads, and
passed by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission as reasonable and just, power
should be given to the roads to enforce
them. This is a reasonable and fair de-
mand, and one that Congress should at
once grant.
The proposition which has been suggest
ed by some theorists for charging the
Interstate Commerce Commission and
permitting it to initiate rates would be a.
fatal mistake, and system based upon
such an idea vicious in the extreme. The
railways not only have the ability, but
the facility to make rates. 1t Is expert
work, requiring judgment and thorough
knowledge of all local conditions. To
have the rate-making power removed to
Washington and absolutely fixed by a
commission, no matter how able or how
honest, would work incalcuable injury
1t would be far better for the Government
to purchase the railways and assume the
whole responsibility than for the Govern
ment practically to undertake the regula-
ton and management of the property OF
private individuals. This is undoubtedly
the most miscellaneous proposition thus far
evoked by demagogues and anarchists for
the wiping out Of the capital invested in
railway enterprises. 1t would simply be
uncomfortable, and lead to rate complica-
tons heretofore unheard Of, even In our
present imperfect system. The possibili-
ties Of corruption would be tremendous;
the pulling and hauling at Washington
for favored rates for special communities
would bring the whole system down with
the weight Of its own folly and imprac-
ticability.
would Benefit the Whole Country.
In the bill referred to, the public, the
shipper, the railway employe and the rail-
ways have all been fairly considered. If
1t becomes law the results must be ben
efcial to the whole country, because our
railways penetrate all parts Of the repub-
lie. Congress should, therefore, approach
it in a spirit of fairness and justice, and
not with temper and political prejudice.
1t Is an honest effort to adjust satisfac-
torily difficulties that have grown up by
reason Of the magnitude Of our transport
tation industry and the newness of our
common country.