Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15
AN rysOLyED PROBLEM

when the various schemes for regu-
lating Interstate commerce with n view
to abolshlng the worst abuses that had
grown out of the arbitrary exactions
and Determinations of public carriers
were under consideration in congress a
marked divergence of opinion was pre-
sented. The railroad corporations, who
were opposed to all regulation. sought
refuge In regulation through the Cul-
lom bill creating an appointive com
mission. which they confidently expected
to control. The advocates of effective
regulation supported the bill cham
pioncd by Congressman Reagan OF
Texas. The Cullom bill was backed by
a majority in the senate, the Reagan
bill by a majority in the house.
The advocates of the Cullom bill in
sisted that the only practical way to
regulate railroads was by commission.
The advocates of the Reagan bill
pointed out the failure of state rail
road commissions to abolish abuses and
afford relief and the impracticabilty of
any commission having no judicial
power to regulate interstate commerce.
They insisted that the proper remedy
was direct legislation prohibiting unjust
determinations and arbitrary exactions
under penalties to be enforced for To-
calities or individuals on complaint In
. the courts.
As compromise between the Cullom
and Reagan bills the interstate com.
merce act Of 1887 was passed. Twelve
years Of experiment have fully con-
firmed the fears and predictions of the
opponents of the railroad commission
sham. With the very best of inten-
tons the commission has been power
less to accomplish any good and has
been forced repeatedly to admit that
unless congress shall enlarge the pow
ers that will place it in position to en-
force its orders it might as well be
abolished. In its annual report just
submitted to congress the commission
declares:
The situation has become intolerable both
from the standpoint of the public and the
carriers. Tariffs are disregarded, dis
ordinations constantly occur, the price at
which transportation can be obtained Is
fluctuating and uncertain. Railroad man
ayers are dlstrustful Of each other and ship
pers all the while in doubt as to the rates
secured by their competitors. The volume
of traffic is so unusual as to frequently ex-
ceed the capacity of equipment, yet the con-
test for tonnage seems never relaxed
Enormous sums are spent in purchasing
business and secret rates accorded far below
the standard Of published charges. The
general public gets little benefit from these
reductions, for concessions are mainly con-
fined to the heavier shippers. All this
augments the advantages of large capital
and tends to the injury and often the ruin
of smaller dealers. These are not only
matters Of gravest consequence to the busi-
ness welfare Of the country, but they con-
cern in no less degree the higher interests
Of public morality.
1t goes without saying that the pres
ent congress can do nothing and Will
do nothing in the brief period Of its
existence between now and March t.
The unsolved problem of devisng legis-
lation that will protect the public
against the railroads and the railroads
against one another must therefore de.
volve upon the next national legislature