The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-27

chaos. and will go very far toward not only
restraining but destroying it OF course
this will not really be allowed 10 occur.
The result would be too appalling. and be-
fore il had been reached Congress would
be forced 10 retrace its steps and TO treat
this vital matter with some degree OF COM
mon sense and conscience"
The same ground is taken in a very able
article in the Commercial Advertiser.
Among other things the Commercia Ad-
THE interests of the railroads are identi-
cal with the interests of the public. Both
demand solvent roads and stable rates.
One is 10 more important than the other.
The first cannot exist without the latter.
In a vast country like this, where the ter
ritory is so great. the railroads should re-
ceive decent treatment. if not some little
encouragement. That they have not re-
ment is clearly shown by the number of
roads now i'm bankruptcy or in process of
reorganization If what is known as the
Congress it would have been very beneficial
both TO the railroads and to the people.
If the present Congress has time it would
be well to take up the measure and pass
it,
A POOLING LAW ADVOCATED.
The several state commissions of rail-
ways, whose duties it is to look after the
public welfare in all matters relating to
railways. and vino are generally well-in-
formed and competent judges in such mat
tiers. said recently, in convention assem-
bled:
Resolved. That il is the sense of this
convention that competing common carriers
may safely be permitted to make lawful
contracts with each other for the appor-
tionment of competitive traffic or the earn
ingS therefrom. provided that conditions
and restrictions be imposed which protect
the public from excessive and unreasonable
charges.
If this decision of the Supreme Court of
the United States shall awaken the whole
country to the immediate necessity of pass
inr tho fa-rn roarpA laxr nnn hn-
fore Congress il will have served a useful
purpose. This bill passed Congress Two
years ago.. and would have passed the Sen
ate only there was too little time to reach
il. A majority of the Senate committee ar-
proved the bill. The bill as ii stands to-
day practically meets the approval of all
conflicting interests. 1t is undoubtedly a
judicious measure in the interest of the
public, the shipper. the railway employe.
and the railway. Under such a law the
public would have. not higher rates. but
rates properly adjusted as between compet-
ing points of production and
always free from individual discrimination
and steadily persistent from year to year.
The passage of this measure, while per-
haps not wholly remedying the trouble.
would enable our railwa VS. to enforce free
dom of contract, and that means the en-
forcemeDt of the present schedule rate OF
freights. That is. one shipper would be on
equal terms with another. 1t would prob
ably prevent the amassing of enormous for
tunes by favored shippers. Ii would not in
crease the cost of transportation to the
average shipper. III ptolpc Nouiu w bth'
flied because IL would give the w
a better chance to distribute the additional
revenue which a cessation of rate wars
would bring in wages to labor that is bad
~ needed on almost every Line in the
United States. Instead of paralyZlng our
whole railway system and further reducing
the number of employees and their wages.
as would surely follow a disintegration or
these traffic associations. the passage OF
this law would be a practical, sensible way
to give more employment to idle labor. The
passage of this law is as important ana
far-reachinC to the railway Us of the country
as is the tariff to the manufacturing inter-
ests. or as the bill to revive the merchant
marine is to the shipping interests In fact,
it would aid as much as any legislation
now before Congress ia bringing prosperity.
For Congress not to take up and pass such
a measure for general relief would be a
mistake. especially since the decision of the
Supreme Court. both from a political point
of view and from the point OF view or
the general welfare or the country.