The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-09-28

discrimination in rates, whereby its
are created and sustained, can dp-
pressed without resort to govefsX lent
ownership. These evils must be elimi-
mated. The hope of America lies in the
very fact that our people will not SUBJ
nit to such abuses much longer
How shall you suppress these dis
ordinations? Mr.. Depew recently
stated that certain large establishments
could ship goods from Chicago to New
York at IS cents per 100 pounds, while
others had to pay rs cents-a difference
of $50 carload, or on shipment of 10
carloads per day discrimination of a
quarter of a million dollars per year;
and W. H. Vanderbilt testified before
the Hepburn commission that all large
shippers got rebates if they asked for
them. How can any individual or any
town stand up against the destructive
power of such determinations
Can they be stopped by voluntary
agreements, however solemn, between
railroad managers? Hear what Presi-
dent ingalls, told you at your last con-
vention. He said: Men managing large
corporations, who would trust their op-
ponent with their pocketbooks with un-
told thousands In it, will hardly trust
his agreement for the maintenance of
tariffs while they are in the room to-
gether. Good faith seems to have de-
parted from the railroad world so far as
traffic agreements. are concerned" II
these managers will not trust one an
other how can the public be expected to
have much faith in them?
CRUSHING OUT THE WEAK.
The Interstate commerce commission
seems to agree entirely with President
Ingalls,, for they say in their 1899 report
"The situation has become intolerable,
both from the standpoint of the public
and the carriers. Tariffs are disregard
ed, Determinations constantly occur,
the price at which transportation can
be obtained is fluctuating and uncertain.
Railroad managers 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 conrest
for tonnage seems never relaxed. Enor-
nous sums are spent in purchasing
business and secret rates accorded far
below the standard of public charges"
This unanswerable proof that those
charges are too high and that the gen.
eral public is victimized. The report
goes on, "The general public gets little
benefit from these reductions, for con-
cessions are mainly confined to the
heaviest shippers. All this augments
the advantage of large capital and tends
to the injury and often to the ruin of
small dealers. These are not only mat
ters of grave consequence to the busi-
ness welfare Of the country. but they
concern in no less degree the higher
interests of public morality" Further
on the report says, "The determinations
are always in favor of the strong and
against the weak" This condition the
present law is powerless to control. If
it is asked why the criminal remedies
are not applied the answer is that they
have been and without success. The
business of railroad transportation is
carried on to a very large extent in con-
ceded violations of law. Men who in
other respects are reputable citizens are
guilty of acts which, if the statute law
Of the land were enforced, would sub
ject them to fine or Imprisonment"
THE REMEDY.
It would seem that the remedy is easy
and simple. It is to give the Interstate
power to reduce rates. |
When discrimination of this kind has
proven the current rates too high, it |
should be made the duty of the commits
sion to reduce the rate to the general |
public permanently at that figure. A |
rachel and paul arrangement of that |
kind can alone give the general public
Justice and stop determinations.
The bulk of the receipts of railroads, |
on an average, or saY-one |
thousand million dollars in round num- |
oers for the year ending June 30, 1899, |
came from the carriage of freights. |
nave not the time or the knowledge to |
point out, if indeed anyone can, as yet, |
he most serious defects in the freight |
rates. So close is the calculation on |
hese points that it is said one-eighth of |
l cent per bushel on wheat between
Chicago and Liverpool, will determine
ts rate, and we know that one-tenth of |
| cent per ton per mile added on freight |
would tax over 100 millions more annu-
lily out of the people. There should be
10 power to add it except by the peo-
)le's consent, given through the rail-
Dad commissions.
UNRELIABLE RETURNS.