The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-11-16

SPRINGFIELD (O.), Nov. Is. - The
thirty third annual session of the Ma
tional Grange convened in this city to-
day with Grand Master Aaron Jones
of South Bend, Ind, in the chair.
Twenty-six States were represented.
While the committees were engaged
in their deliberations Grand Master
Jones called on Jaben Robinson, Master
of the Dominion Grange of Canada,
for remarks, and Mr. Robinson took up
the most of the morning session. bring
ing greetings and reviewing the work
OF the year in the Dominion.
The event of the afternoon session
was the annual address of Grand
Master Jones, which, together with re-
ports of committees. occupied the time
Mr.. Jones began his address by con-
graduating the Grange on the prosper
Gus condition of the order. He said
the Grange favored national and State
laws controlling trusts and State in
spection. On the subject Of transpor-
tation he said:
Transportation is one of the most
important interests in our country, and
the just and equitable adjustment OF
charges for freight and passengers is
of the utmost concern to private and
public welfare. There were in. the
United States 1S4, 4S2 miles of railway
on June 80, 1897 valued at $40 63o, OOS.-
0I4 The earnings of the railways in
the United States for the year ending
June 80, 1897, as reported. were 81, ~, :
QS9, 6O6.
This vast system of railways was
built by authority of franchises granted
by the United States and the several
States. In the case of the Northern
and Central Pacific Railway, large do
nations of land and the loan of the
nations credit was also given, and i'll
many other cases large donations were
made by cities, townships and counties.
The franchises gave these corporations
power to condemn private lands, 10
pass through farms, villages and cities,
destroying homes in country and city,
at prices fixed by disinterested apprals-
ers, virtually by the State. This power
was granted to them on the broad
principle that these highways We're nee
essary for the public welfare. Under
our advanced civilization this Is true,
but it is also true that private and pub
lie welfare demands that these roads
be so managed as not to Cypress the
people or make discriminating charges
between citizens or localities in freight
and passenger rates, but should give
to all citizens the same service for the
same money, and that this service
should be reasonable and just to ship
per and carrier. When so managed.
railways are of incalculable advantage
to the entire country. Are they and
have they been so managed? The In
terstate Commerce Commission has
made investigation, and | find in their
twelfth annual report TO Congress the
following point:
" Meanwhile, the situation has be-
come intolerable, both from the stand
point of the public and the carriers.
Tariffs are disregarded, determinations
constantly occur, and the price at which
transportation can be obtained is f1uctu-
ating and uncertain. Railroad man
ayers are distrustful of each other, and
shippers all the while in doubt as to
the rates secured by their competitors.
The volume of traffic is so unusual as
to frequently exceed the capacity of
equipment, yet the contest for tonnage
seems never relaxed. Enormous sums
are spent In purchasing business, and