The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-27


that no effective regulation could be hnd
until g0me law compelled the railroad CONF
panies doing business In Texas 10 Keep
general offices In the State and TO Keep
records at such offices giving complete
exhibit OF their business and business
methods. From thls their earning oapan
lies could be determined and their exact
financial condition asocrtalned. Withou'
lttis the state government could not intel
| iigeEtly fix the freight rates. But VIII,
this law enforced it could be ascerta,nni
whether the amount they we're receiving
was reasonable or unreasonable. AZ the
iIitin step TO this proceeding, introduced
aud had passed bill making 1t the duts
OF the railroad companies to keep their
general offices In Texas and Indicating
what records must be kept at those offices
penalty was prescribed for their non
compliance with its provisions. Until that
time there had been no penalty aftixed 10
the law upon this subject 1t was therefore
dead letter The statute which | had
passed was subsequently amended in some
respects, but II Is substantially the law to-
day Its necessity was made apparent
when tho railroad commission first began
It's work. without this statute II would
have been impossible for the railroad COM
mission to make any investigation OF the
condition of railroad companies. or TO de-
termine any question, except upon test-
nony furnished by the railroad companies
themselves. This statute may need
strengthening ana amending in some I'M
portant particulars In order TO enable the
commission to still more efficiently DIS
charge its duties. In the event Of my
election az governor shall endeavor to
have It so amended as TO require the keep
Ing of every additional record which ex-
perlence has shown to be necessary In order
to give the railroad commission all needed
information for the protection of the pub
lie.
RAILROAD COMMISSION LAW.
My attention was first called 10 the ne
oessity of railroad commission law In
1865, while serving in the legislature. A
bill had been introduced In that body and
was pending for consideration. 1t was
practically copy of the Georgia statute
examined the subject then. as carefully
as | was able. and reached til conclusion
that il was the only solution of tic railroad
problem In Texas. and that it should pc
so constituted as to decide ali disputes ne
tween shippers and railroads, that it should
be semi. judicial in It's character, ana that
It's decisions would ordinarily &c risht.
voted for that bill, although in minority.
The conclusions ! then reached l nave
never been able to change. in 1880 con-
stiMtlonal amendment was submitted to the
people. the purpose Of which was To remove
all doubt as to the power OF the legiSla-
,ure to create a rairoaa commission.
Il portion of the State for that
AS is known. it was adopted by an over
majority. During that year
was elected TO tho State senate of the
Twenty second legislature. In that body
rendered some assistance In the prepara-
ton of the commission bill which is now
a law | participated in the debates had on
those sections to which the most objec-
tons were raised-be ones giving to the
the necessary powers to make
If effective. insisted on giving it all the
powers which II now has and | have never
doubted the wisdom of that course. Though
alleged to be unconstitutional by those who
led the fight against it, it has stood the
test Of Judicial scrutiny nv the highest
'ourts In the land, and none of It's ptovi-
'ions have been annuled. The necessity
or commission law in Texas is now ad
ntted by most people. but there are many
Who would impair its usefllrass hv either
aking away from il some OF ~ powers. or
by Withholding from II approximations nee |
'ssary to discharge its duties Should the
commission he wsakened Dv either of these
Methods that Is to say. should IL be shorn |
II any of It's powers or necessary sprrp- !
be withheld from IT, It would
Become practically useless Uut IL its hands |
nm he strengthened aud the necessary an
'ropratlons be made, It VIII become the !
nost potent agency In the development OF |
he resources of the State. II 1t be weak |
ned on If from it, the necessary appro- |
,riailons hs withheld, 1t viii be impossible !
0 secure equality OF freight rates to all |
he citizens ~ Texas. 70 weaken the tom-
mission in either of the methods indicated |
ives TO the transportation companies the |
'ower-to destroy one town or city and build |
p It's rival. TO enrich one dealer and i'm
'overish another.
SUITS FOR DISCRIMINATION.
During the last year the business of the
Common carriers has been subjected 10
lose investigation by the officers of the
State. Proof was furnished the commits
ion in manner which have heretofore
publicly stated, that many OF the railroads
n Texas had been discriminating in favor
II certain persons and places, In CnDucc-
ion with the commission and lhe state
| appeared before the finance
Committees of both houses of ,he leglsla-
ure and asked them to furnish a sufficient
to enable the commission TO
'eriiy the information which had been
'lNen 1t, and TO secure such other facts IS
nlght be necessary 10 make that informal
ion effective. promised those comnittcas
nat II these appropriations should be gwen
h"l lof every unllhr expended TWO o. lnFen
you'd be returned 10 he treasury An
OF only $1,000 was made hy
he legislature. With this sum Of money
Aperts were employed and the books of
he railroad companies we're examined. As.
result of these examinations and tho Gvi-
ence previously furnished. ninety Ave pen
lily suits against the railroad .opp1aIes
we're Instituted by the attorney euaeinl's
apartment 70 these the several railroad
ompanies pleaded guilty, ANA In each caso
penalty Of $500 WAS assessed. aggregar-
ng $4,000 All this has haen collected
nd paid into the State treasury IN cash,
Without cost, other than the $4,000 urpro-
riated to nay experts. There has been 10
ost incurred by me. There are other suits
et TO be brought In order to break in
his system Of rebates and determinations
is necessary to keep experts In the en-
hoy OF the commission and TO keep them
engaged in the examination cf
he AFFAIRS Of the common carriers sper-
die action on tho part OF The commission
= on the part OF its experts, can not az {
omplish this result Their attention must
c constant Men capable OF doing this
lass OF service can not be found every
ny. They ought not to be. emu,nvcd fo,. | I