The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-19
THE BURDEN OF HIGH RATES
WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE
PEOPLE OF THE STATE.
They Would Have been Forced to
Hear Them During the Tendency
OF the Litigation.

Austin. Texas, February 1s.--Judge
John H. Reagan. chairman of the rail-
road commission. this morning, in the
following interview, gave expression to
what in bis opinion will be tho effect
of the compromise agreed TO with the rep
resentatives OF the enioined roads yester-
day evening:
Rcportcr-Would you object to giving
your views to the press as to the effect
of the Compromise between the railroad
commission and the railroads.?
Answer-No, sir; as this is Il matter In
which the public generally lis Interested.
Reporter--ioW Viii the schedules OF
rates agreed on affect freight rates?
Answer-'They slightly increase rates.
The rates on cotton and lumber remain as
they were before the injunction suits were
instituted. The rates on -four, wheat.
oats and hay are unchanged, but there
is very small increase Ia the rates on
local shipments of corn. but the maximum
rate OF 1915 cents per Loo pounds In com
mon point territory remains as 1t was.
The rates on beef cattle, horses and mules
and on live stock, less than carloads, re-
main as heretofore with alght increase
on tho stock cattle rates. TIE rates on
cotton seed remain as heretofore, with a
glight increase on cotton seed meal and
cake, making the rates on them the same
as the rates on the seed. There are thirty
one tariffs altogether OF these fifteen ro-
main unchanged. There il small in
crease In the rates on coal and Ignite. and
on a number OF other items 1t is es-
timated by the expert ratomen, not em-
brncing cotton and lumber, tho average
increase on the other articles amount To
between and per cent.
Reporter-There are persons who con-
tend that IL would have been better to
tnts
ton suits to go on to final decision OF
the question involved ono way or the
other What 10 your view as to this
Answer--I am aware OF the existence Of
such opinions. They mudt rest upon tho
idea that the final judgment In the case
would sustain the contention OF ono party
TO the suit or the other, as these are pro-
scented by the parties How can we know
that this would be done? Who can tell
but that the court would make its dcct-
sion on some middle ground between that
contended for between the parties? Who
can say that the court would adopt the
basis of the valuation OF the railroads
adopted by either party to the suit, or
that it would make decision which
would prevent future litigation of the
questions involved in the pending suts7
Reporter--Tlow will the public interests
be affected by this compromise?
Answer--One OF the effects VIII be that
the people OF the State will be relieved
from the burden OF the excessively high
rates now in effect on the onjoined roads
Without this compromise they would have
been subjected to these high rates, or 10
such others as the railroads might have
adopted until the termination of this
litigation, which would no doubt have
been from two to four or more years, and
would thus have entailed great losses on
the patrons of the roads. Another result
will be that the STATE will be spared the
expense OF ten or fifteen thousand dollars
in court expenses and attorneys fees,
and, If in the end the case should be de-
cided against the State, very large bill
of costs. No reasonable man can discuss
this question on the assumption that we
were sure TO gain the case. We had to
take our chances ns to this. Another re-
suit of this compromise VIII be that the
people will not be subjected To the ex-
o!tement and anxiety which would neces~
sarily grow out or u prolongation OF the
litigation of n question involving the in
tercsts of the people and of hundreds of
millions OF dollars in property values,
Another consideration which has had spec
cial weight In causing this compromise is
the fact that the litigation has already
engendered much prejudice and passion
between the people and the railroads.
which Is specially unfortunate for both
and u continuance OF the litigation would
mean continuance and aGgravation of
this strife and passion, TO the great In
Jury of all the interests concerned. The
interests. convenience and prosperity of
the people are largely promoted by the
existence of the railroads and the rail-
road corporations are dependent on the
people for their necessary revenues.
Mother can prosper without the concur
rent action OF the other. AZ friends, guid-
ed by the spirit of justice and fairness,
they can greatly benefit each other. Az
enemies they could seriously iniuro each
other. Their relations and lnter-dopend-
ence are so blended together as TO demand
fairness and good wilt on both sides Moth
ing could ho more urtortunate for all than
that the policy OF either should be haaed
on prejudice md passion, and III, welfare
OF both would certainly be greatly promot
ed by reciprocal good will. AS under
stand Il, such Views have controlled In
bringing about this COMPROMISE,
Reporter-Are you antisied with the
result Of the compromise?
Answer--I heleye Il Is the best thing.
under the circumstances, which could have
benn done Cor the railroads ard for the
neople. II Is proper to add TINT the con-
mission has surrendered none of its rights,
ana compromised none NJ IT'S duties, and
reserved the right 70 make emergency
rates when necessary,