The times., 1898-03-06

The only competition which the COM
mission will at present recognize is COM
petition by waterway from the same
point of origin TO the same destination.
Although the rates to a place may be
absolutely controlled by a waterway,
whereon all commodities can be shipped
to that point ut low rates, the commits
sion will give no consideration whatever
to that competition in regulating the
rates of railroad to that place, unless
the railroad transports the commodities
from the identical places from which they
can be brought by water although so
far as the practical effect on rates is con-
Cerned, it makes no difference whatever
whether the waterway brings the traffic
from the same market or different mar
ket.
Likewise, the commission absolutely re-
fuses to give any consideration to any
competition with other railroads, al
though they may be shorter or may come
from a much nearer market. 1t seems to
be possessed with a fixed purpose to shut
up the commerce of every section to some
one particular transportation line which
can haul the cheapest, and to that par
ticular market which is nearest to it. The
proposed change of the long and short
haul law will give the commission un-
limited power to put these extremely
narrow and unreasonable views into the
fullest effect. The result will be- espe-
cially in the South, that many
railroads will have to withdraw
from traffic which is of the greatest
Importance to them, and that many n
locality, instead of enjoying as at present
the opportunity to deal in various mar
kets, from all of which it can get
substantially the same rates. win
be shut up to the market nearest
to it, because the carriers conducting
traffic from the other markets will no
longer be allowed TO meet the Competi-
ton, or to bring any traffic from the mar
kets on their own lines to that locality.
1t is submitted, therefore, that to give
the commission the unlimited power to
put these extremely Illogical and unwise
views into effect cannot possibly be a
wise solution of this question. and that,
on the contrary it gives the commission
most dangerous power, and one that
will be so used as TO impair very greatly
the advantages now enjoyed by many
points in the South, and to destroy much
traffic which the carriers of the South
now enjoy, while, at the same time, no
advantage will result to any locality by
reason of this arbitrary interference.
The courts have, almost without excep-
ton, declined to enforce the extremely
unreasonable orders which the commits
sion has made under the long and short
haul section, and the decisions show
clearly how unwise it would be to put
those orders into effect.
The power of review under the pro-
posed long and short haul section will,
If anything, be even less availing than
the power of review under the other sec
tions of the BILL and the comission
will be given practically absolute power
of determining the channels of commerce
of this country, and especially in the
Southern States. II this power be given
to the commission, it will be given with
the positive assurance, derived from a
knowledge of its course in the past, that
the commission will use it to the de-
cided detriment Of the commerce of the
country, disastrOusly to the carriers, and
without any benefit to any person or
community.
The same unfortunate effects would,
of course result ii the commission should
obtain the unlimited rate-making power
which this bill proposes TO confer upon
il; but ] have made especial reference
to the radical nature and dangerous char
acter OF the long md short haul section
| because I feared that you had underesti-
mated the Importance Of that provision
MILTON II. SMITH.