The times., 1899-11-12

railroads are transporting the larger part !
Cf the interstate traffic at rates less Jhan I
those shown in the published tariffs, which ]
are by statute the only lawful rates.
After stating that the law provides I
penalty Of 81 100 and JNo years imprlson-
ment for each violation Mr. Rice had IN
corporated i'm his pamphlet the following
paragraphs. which were the principal cause
of objection on the part Of the Commission
and which We're refused as testimony:
The query is, why is It that for twelve
years the Interstate Commerce Commission
has neglected its duty and not corrected
this gross evasion of the law and allowed
such special tariffs to be dled, and why IS
il that all general tariffs omit this wise
provision of the law and why IS 1t that
railroads do not comply with the law IN
any Of its essentials, nor forced thereto!
saThe same old. unbroken line of freight
Determinations for twenty-seven years IN
. the form of secret rates. drawbacks re-
bates and other devices have continued
to exist up 10 date without a break, and
! for the reason that not a violator OF the
/ act has yet been sent TO the penitentary TO
atone for his misdeeds; for when the doors
! have nearly been reached a pardon from
1 the President has annuiled the act and set
/ the convict free All this, in very truth,
! has so far made the statute but farce IN
I stead of a solemn Congressional enactment
I intended for the benefit of the people. And
I those who are charged with its poor ad-
/ miuistration and execution should blush
I for shame TO know that those who have
been and are so monstTously and reckiessly
| defiant of it should 60 so long unwhipped
Of justice.
1T costs 100000 per annum to run the
/ Interstate Commerce Commis ion, or
] s. SOC, GOO already expended since its inCep-
ton, and what do the people get in return?
/ Nothing. No relief whatsoever, with
/ twelve years trial of the act, from the
/ gross rebate of freight determinations,
wholly in the interest Of the exclusive few,
and the question Of the hour is how much
longer viii the people stand these highway
man-like tactics and piratical assaults upon
their sacred rights of eminent domain?
The State exercises its right OF eminent
domain to give the right Of way to the
railroads. The people thus part with their
property 10 these corporations on the faith
that they shall exercise the franchises thus
granted honestly and with an equal hand
1t is a burning shame that these rights
/ and franchises. the gifts of the state,
should be administered by railroad mag
mates to The imPoverishment ana slavery
of the people.
Charges Against Three Presidents.
III the Federal antitrust act had been
Immediately and properly enforced by the
Attorney General. as is specifically re-
, quired all the then existing trusts would
, have long since been destroyed and no more
l would have been formed. and the present
epidemic Of trusts unknown.
The Congress on demand OF the people
f ! passed certain special laws for their relief
!, but because OF their enforcement by
$ ! arror...,q -g3o;,Ig a1+ bacor,,ar
5 a nullity, by the non-action OF one man
a sworn Government official, who seems L
use his power to do or not to do.
Eleven years ago there was an eXhaus
tive Investigation by Congress of trusts
which resulted in the enactment in 1890 o
this broad, most comprehensive and impor
tant Of all acts for the well being ant
{ commerc relief Of the citizen, and If sal,
q act had been enforced at an early date b.
i the Department Of Justice through 1t
Z Attorney General, as the act specifcall,
: requires him TO do the then existing un
y lawful trusts and combinations would hav
long ere this ceased TO exist. no more woul
s have been formed, and the present epi
: demic Of trusts would be unknown.
: If trust and rail officials had compile
y with the antitrust act, as il was their dut
z to dc, or been forced thereto, there woul
o not now exist that great unrest and discon
y and there would have been no cause for tn
= creation and appointment Of this COmmis
sion.
N This act was passed during the Admir-
istratiCn Of President President Benjami
10 Harrison, in the second year Of his tern
lt who signed it. and who was fully cognizal
u Of its terms, and whose sworn duty
lJ was to have directed his own appOintC
ly Attorney General to vigorously execute Il
same and who becomes the most respoI
&c sible for its non enforcement and Il
De enormous attendant evils resulting Their
be from.
D. His successor, Grover Cleveland d
s. no better. and our President, William NJ
as Kinley. follows in their footsteps. Is tn
u not an appalling exposure Of the derelicuC
OF Of official duty, a dishonoTed and prost
Us tuted administration Of the solemn Ia'
e, OF our land?
ad Trusts continue to fatten and spre
.ly their spawn, and the law is impoteI
70 made so by reason of its non -enforceme
he by public officials sworn TO enforce
ed Years Of pleading and appeal by the peoI
Ct TO their representatives in Congress Tor {
lal passage Of an ideal act like this the prom
.as enforcement Of which would have re!IeV
them Ct their great burdens and Of the
he creasing pressure and compression OF tht
ng gigantic and unlawful trusts and combII
he tious. which are now making them Sc
ce and vassaIs 10 the piratcal schemes OF
he few men. who In bold defiance OF our la'
7a- unlawfully exact from of the honest lal
and toll CT the masses hundreds OF m
Ir lions Of dollars. have proved unavallln
The paragraphs were not read before
| Commission.