The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-21
CIRCULATION STATEMENT.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21. 1900.



An Issue for Democrats to Perfect.
The Interstate Commerce Commission,
originally designed TO protect the people
from injurious and unjust discrimination
by the railroads, has long since ceased
to be Of any value to them. Under the
attacks Of skilled railroad lawyers, one by
one its powers have been Topped off
through binding decisions of the courts.
1t has, at last. become nothing more
than an investigating committee. but
wholly devoid of power TO do anything
more than announce its findings. Instead
of becoming for the public a bulwark Of
defence against the Entertainments of
the allied railroads, as was intended, it
serves them as a perch to rest upon
while forming other attacks.
When created it was announced by Sen
ator Cullom as the most practical and
servicesble instrument against the extor-
lions and entertainments OF the railroad
monopolies possible to be devised. While
prominent Democrats in both the House
and Senate gave it strong support. the
credit of its establishment was claimed
seriously disputed.
Senator Cullom has now become con-
WINGED. and frankly admits, that unless
the powers originally intended to be con-
ferred upon it are restored the Commits
sion is practically useless. Mr.. Knapp,
its Chairman, has, in an able report to
Congress, sustained this declaration, and
pointed out the urgent necessity of legis-
iation Senator Cullom some time ago
introduced a bill to remedy the defects
specifically noted, since when nothing has
been done.
The bill slumbers in the Senate Inter
State Commerce Committee, minority OF
which is believed to be in its favor, but
Senator Cullom does not appear to be
enough in earnest about it to bring 1t to
test. The railroad influence seems to be
sufficiently potent to prevent any action.
The railroad managers know that the
Interstate Commerce Commission has lad
its teeth drawn and its claws pared, and
there is no further mischief or efficiency to
be feared from it. 1t was, at first, thought
to be a very dangerous animal, but its
present ability is to gaze at the passing
show. and consume the annual appropria-
ton granted it.
Meanwhile, the railroads have had pre-
pared two bills which they very greatly
desire to have enacted into law: one to pre-
vent the sale Of tickets by scalpers or per-
sons other than their authorized agents.
called the anti-scalping bill" and the
other pooling measure which will permit
the railroads TO fix rates and prevent the
lowering of them by competitors. Their
failure to maintain the Joint Traffic AS
sociation, which was in effect pooling
arrangement, owing to its being decided to
be in restraint of trade, and without legIs-
lative authority, has made them cIamorous
for Congressional action. 1t is understood
that they have agreed to allow their Sena-
torial representatives 10 help forward
Senator Cullom's Commission bill. IL he
will unite with 1t these two measures.
OF course. if nothing is done by Con-
gress. and the Interstate Commerce Com
Inission is permitted to remain the mere
semblance of authority, a painted ship. as
ii were, upon a painted ocean, in the ma
tional campaign fast approaching, the
Democrats can charge the Republicans
with the failure, but such a charge will
have but little force if it can be shown that
the Democrats themselves did nothing to
induce the necessary action. In neither
House Of Congress can Democrats be re-
CURED TO pull. but in each of them they
can be found culpabie if they DO not push.
An honest concerted effort on the part CT
the minority can be made TO force the Re-
publicans to either take the required steps
20 give vitality 10 the Inter State Commerce
Commission. or expose their insineerity and
deeeitfulness. There is no trust in the land
that should be spelled and printed in
larger capitals than the Railroad Trust.
BY consolidation, combination, and pur-
chase it is swelling to enormous proper
lions, second only to the Banking Trust in
capital, membership, control of voters, and
selfish and extortionate designs.
Putting back into the hands of an honest
Interstate Commerce Commission the
powers intended originally to be given.
but which from loose rhetoric, or I'M
skillnh statement. the courts have de-
cided ~Ssc at given. is practically the
only weapon that can be seryiceably and
quickly used against the monopolies. Re-
endowlng the Commission with such au-
thority means genuine opposition TO the
Railroad Trust. II means as well. ell
eient, practical relief for the people from
present evils, and protection against con-
,emplated wrongs.
II the Republican majorities in the two
houses of Congress decline or neglect TO
grant this relief the public should know
it. The Democrats can put them TO the
test. concerning which there can be neither