The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-10-13
NOTHING TO CONCEAL.
Railway Man Testifies Before the
Industrial Commission.

| WASHINGTON, Oct. -. President
! Samuef Spencer, of the Southern railway
! system, as a witness before that body,
| gave his views to the industrial commits
sion today
Mr.. Spencer said that he was one of
the few railroad officials opposed to the
| repeal OF the criminal clause of the inter
state commerce law. He would have this
feature of the law enforced. He consid-
cred the Determinations and preferences
granted by the railroads the most serious
abuse connected with the railroad bust
ness. The methods of discrimination, he
| said, are innumerable, but the purpose in
all is the same-namely: to secure bust
ness without allowing rivals to know
what Is being done. 1t was difficult to
| enforce compliance with the law by STAT
ute. His remedy was to compel publicity.
To this end he would have the present
law enforced, and the rates given pub
lished in strict compliance with the re-
quirement AS for himself, he would not
object to legal inspection of the books of
railroad companies. but he doubted
whether this method would prove effect
i've in cases where there was a fixed de-
termination to evade the law. He also
advocated the imprisonment of persons
who violated the interstate commerce law.
The infiction of d money penalty for an
offense he said, would be no barrier to
abuse by the railroads. He would have
any employe, from president down, pun
ished by Imprisonment in case of con-
viction.
1T has been said he continued, chat
RI vic
late the Jaw in order to hold their places
but 1 take the position that no man has
a right to follow illegal calling. If
l cannot comply with the law as a rail-
road man, the alternative of getting out
of the business is left to me. If [ cannot,
under such circumstances, do what is
right, l deserve no sympathy
He said that the Southern road has no
secret rates, and whife some business had
been lost in the beginning by pursuing
this course. it had been regained.
Mr. Spencer advocated the prohibition
of the ticket brokerage business, and the
total abolition of the present system of
giving passes. He said he would even
so to the extent of advocating the denial
OF passes to officers and employees of
other roads. He thought all men should
pay their fares or the railroads, just as
they pay their hotel bills. AS for himself
he Travelled.
The difference in rates going in differ
ent directions en- the Southern road re-
ceived attention from the witness. He
said that fruits and vegetable shipped
north from the Southern states were
charged higher rate than most articles
shipped South, not for the purpose of
discriminat ting against the Southern prod
Ects, but because the shipment Of fruit
and vegetables had to be expedited. thus
requiring shorter trains; because of the
heavy assurance, the special equipment
necessary, and the fact that much ice
generally had to be carried free of charge.
Speaking of the consolidation of rail
road lines he expressed the opinion that
it had a tendency to cause uniformity
of rates, but he did not believe such a
course would generally result in an in
crease Of transportation rates. There had
been reduction of average Of per
cent on the Southern system since the
consolidation of the various roads effect
ing it, five years ago.