Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-21
MR.. sTICKNEY's PLAIN TALK.
President of Great Western Road Con-
trndicts His CoIIenKue<

President Stickney of the Great Western
road, testifying before the subcommittee
of the national industrial commission in
vestigating rate Determinations in Chi
cago yesterday. caused sensations among
his hearers His first declaration was:
II tell you frankly these published freight
rates are not maintained by the railroads.
and they cannot be maintained. 1t is an
impossibility. The interstate commerce
law. as far as Investigations and correc-
lions are concerned. IS roaring farce"
This statement fatty contradicts the
sworn testimony of more than half dozen
railroad presidents, who said published
freight rates were adhered to strictly.
m hereto, | know said Mr.. Stick
ney, by way of Introduction to his argu-
ments that Congress should keep its hands
of the business affairs of the country: that
the powers of the interstate commerce COM
mission should not be extended and carry
commodities in the trade world. according
to conditions.
On taking the oath President Stickney
stipulated that he was giving opinions
merely. He asserted that. contrary to the
reports made by the commerce commission.
automatic couplerS and other appliances
had increased accidents, The question Of
issuing free passes was taken up. The
witness conceded with the view that this
practice should be abolished
We owe it to our interests, however. to
referring to members of the judiciary
who may ask for them.
rs 1t not an evil TO morals that judges
get passes and private citizens none" came
the question.
We'll l don't like to pass on morals"
was the answer
What would you think of Congress pro-
hibiting the pass system and stopping the
ticket scalping?"
MY attitude on such questions" was
the unhesitating response, lis that Con-
gress is not created to run the business of
this country. The best thing Congress can
do is to repeal some of the laws il has
made The ticket brokerage problem should
be left to them and the public
Isn't the bulk of business done by the
scalpers given to them directly by the rail-
roads,"
81 presume it is" was the ready reply.
Representative Lorimer then asked an
opinion of the imprisonment feature Of the
antt-scalping bill several times presented
to Congress.
"A most outrageous piece of barbarism."
was Mr.. Stickneys comment. He then
showed that if the interstate commerce
law as to publishing tariff schedules were
complied with there would have to be
5,4H.ooo rates formulated on the twelve
classifications Of freight matter.
Il do not think pooling would have any
effect on holding rates stable" said he
I'm the first place. | do not believe IA pool
could be formed. and, in the second place.
unless il embraced everything Ii would
produce the results which you seek to pre-
vent"
DO you favor publicity of railroad affairs
an examination OF books by government
experts, as with banks?" was asked.
Il am opposed to every principle of gov
eminent paternalism except supervising pO-
lice authority. | would object to govern
ment inspection of national banks. Gov
eminent interference has wrecked more
banks than ever went to pieces in any
other way. As to government ownership, |
believe that the federal government in
handling the railroads, would meet with
the same limitations against which private
ownership now has to contend