The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-07-22
WHAT RAILROAD MEN THINK.
Local View of the Commi.sion,, Re.
cent Order

cent order.
Nothing new has developed In regard Il
the commissions late order reducing ra e.
on Texas freight 20 per cent. 1t IS tn
most serious problem the railroads hay,
mad to deal with in several years and be-
lore taking action they propose to hav,
tue deiloerate advice of their lawyers.
do you think the roads contemplate
enJoining the commission 2" Tho Post ron.
resentative asked Of prominent railroad
man
1t looks that way though, OF course.
am not in position to say. The action
OF the commission In reducing rates on
freight moving in Texas In order To re-
lleve perplexing Interstate problem was
an extreme measure, from our point of
view. 1t was, we think. not justihahle in
any sense. 1t fails TO relieve the obstruc-
non sought 10 be removed, and works a
hardship on lines in no way responsible
nj 1oI the creation Of the Shreveport or
Texarkana rates"
Then you think the Federal courts will
be invoked?" "''i
es, / believe that will be the ultimate
result, unless the commission withdraws
It's order Ordinarily the freight agents
can take care OF such problems, bit in
thls instance 1t has been passed UP to
the attorneys and the higher officials. The
presidents nave been asking why net reve-
nues are not greater. and this gives the
i[elsht traffic men an opportunity to ex-
pain the situation. Perhaps the bosses
can solve the matter; no one else can.
1t is Gus omnry when 1t is intended tn
cnange rates for the commission to give
al Iodus notlce OF the contemplated action
and invite them to appear before tne
nearing and blve expression to their views
On the subject under consideration. In
his case, hxwever, no such notice was
served. The action was taken without
Tue notice being given the lines interest
a. and was done without consultation. |
railroads are integral parts of the body
'ohuc Just as are individuala and should |
'e treated on an individual basis, in a |
measure. suppose a corporation should |
Nlthout any notice or even intimatiou
make 20 per cent cut IN the wages of
Us employees? Don't you think they would !
'bJectE Well, that's Just the way tn,
ailroads feel. A quarter Of our revenue
u an enormous amount of our traffic has
cen Topped off without as much AZ saw
ng with your leave
1t is certainly a great hardship L,eav-
ng out OF the question the perplexine
roblem OF equalizing State and intersta,e
'Ces' tneTe are other matters which the
commission s1ould have carefully consid
red. The first one should have been. Can
ne roads stand such reductTono the
ext: Is 1t justifable? Then they should
that the operating expenses
ave been tremendously increased tha mast
ear. Every Texas road has been pay-
y lot oetterments, and at an increased
rice fer the raw material. Besides this
lie Hoods In the spring washed away
acks and bridges. entailing an enormous
itlay for repairs. Then we are confront 4
with a short cotton eros, which will
disappointment in revenues. Taken
IN all, the commissions action Is the
ow tnat Killed father and unless the
'mmission resclnds its action / believe
q courts will be appealed to for relief"