The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-12-09


with Kansas the greatest agricultural state in the Union
Why the Cullom Bill Should be 1ade Law.
In the year 1887 congress passed law known the
Interstate Commerce act The question to the power Of
the government state and control railroads
has been for years more OF less debaable one especially
@ to the extent Of control the government could exercise
II is now admitted by all that the government granting
railroad companies privileges by charter the import
ant one the right to take private property for public use
retains for itself the to regulate the person Of its
creation.
The only question for settlement is how best to
regulate the railroads that have become such factor in
the commerce Of the country and to what extent said reg
uston is equitable as between the people and the railways
The system Of regulation by commission is not new ore
and seems to be the only practical way
For years after the Of the interstate Com
arc law the Iabors Of the commission were rewarded by
general good feeling between the railways ana the com
mission and much good was done the public their decisions
being generally almost universally obeyed
AS everybody knows railroads through their legal de-
arens fight for every legal technical advantage that
can be obtained from the admissions Of the courts De
cons of the supreme court have in the last few years
shorn the law Of nearly valuable remedial features
leaving the people practically remedy for their
grievances
The most important feature is the right Of
the commission to make rate or prescribe remedy for
wrong done has been contested by the railways and the
courts virtually say that the commission render judg-
ent Of an unlawful by the railroad complained
Of bet that the commission has power to make rate
that in its judgment IS lawful and power to enforce its
decision when made except through the United states
courts which in natural course Of would be of
value to the party agrisved.
For example: Complain is filed that rate rwenry-s
cents is unreasonable and unlawful between two points
The commission gives both parties hearing and finds the
complaint wen founded that unjust unreason
able and therefore unlawful Under the present status Of
the law the commission can except recommend
the railroad to desist which heynay do and make rate
Of 2l9s cents ana thereby comply with the order
uendation Of the commission.
What the people need in equity they should
have is an adequate and speedy remedy for evils
planned Of Nothing Of that win be tolerated and
congress should make haste and amend the law to
that justice be done
Senate No 1883 pending before the senate, has
been endorsed 10y large Of commercial bodies
from every section of the United States, and 10
cover all the defects original act if
acted viii rehabutate the Interstate Commerce and
give the commission the powers they exercised for years
usd sruted by the railroads themselves.
The people demand a law that win enable complain
ant to reap benefit decision during his
lifetime and not be compelled to go to the expense and
wait the ong-drawn-out course Of the average lawsuit
For example: If the commission the rate of %
cents unlawful between two points say what
lawful order Of the commission to that effect
obsyed they get relief hrought The courts
The railroads on this proposition. They de not
want the commission endowed with what they can the
rate-1naking power
Without such power to the extent OF making lawful
when an unlawful one is being collected leaves the law
Of no practical use to the average shipper
bin no 1s of course has several other important
salient features amending the present law but the rail-
roads do ma objection them as to the FIRST
mentioned Taken a whole senate bin No 1889 should
he speedily passed by congress- it seemingly being what
The shipping interests needs for their protection It is but
natural ha meets with some opposition from Che large
milling interests OF Minneapolis Mimi who seem TO have
been favored by Che railroads injury Of other local.
rs some other opposition is expected ley favored ship
throughout the country but the consensus Of opinion
amongst business men everywhere as expressed through
The commercial bodies The country seems to be with ths
ideas expressed sarousa the Cullen ll which is endorsed
10y the Interstate Commerce Commission themselves
Leayenworth and Atchison are Misrepreseured.