The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-01-11
SHIPPERS DEMAND
QUICK LEGISLATION
Greater Powers For Inter-
State Commission.
TIE PUBLIC IN SYMPATHY
The Commissions Rulings Should be
Binding, Effective.
UNJUST Determinations IN RATES
The lntoIerable Conditions Have Aroused the
Commercial interests Of the Country
Who Demand Prompt Rene
diaIActon by Congress.
TIE PUBLIC IN SYMPATHY
The Commissions Rulings Should be
Binding, Effective.
UNJUST DETERMINATIONS IN RATES

uidsTeNViDJ SofStSoo'
Especial to the News and Observer)
Washington, JAM 10.-Great public in
terest is at present attracted to the sub
ject of legislation amendatory of the
Interstate Commerce Act. This is mani
tested by the large number of letters
and petitions that are being received by
Senators and Representative urging
prompt action on the measure which is
submitted to the Fifty-seventh Congress
by the organized commercial interests
of the United States No question to
be considered at this session of Con-
gress is of so much importance to the
commercial welfare of the country and
TO the people generally as that embodied
in the bill proposing to SO strengthen the
Interstate Commerce Act as to make the
rulings of the commission binding and
effective until reversed by the courts.
The growth of public sentiment in favor
of this legislation has become so pro-
. nounced during the past few years that
early action by Congress is regarded
by many of the railroad corporations
as necessary to forestall serious agita
tion for government ownership of trans
portation lines
There has been a strong and persis-
tent demand for the enactment of
amendments to the Interstate Com
merce Act ever since the Supreme Court
handed down it's decision to the effect
that the commission created by the act
was vested with no authority to enforce
its findings. The commission was thus
Invested of the power which it was
supposed to possess and which it exer-
cised for some years after the enact
ment of the law. Legislation designed
to give effectiveness to the rulings of
the Interstate Commerce Commission
and place the common carrier under
government control. so far as it's public
service is concerned, has been sGrenu-
ously opposed by some of the railroad
companies, and not until the past year
have they ever manifested a disposition
to CO. operate with business and COM
mercial ORGANIZATIONS in a movement on
Congress- for remedial measures to COR
rect the intolerable conditions growing
out of unjust rate discrimination
conditions which in some cases are
seriously affecting the export trade of
the United States in certain commodies,
and in other instances building up the
industries of one section to the disad-
vantage of another.
1t is not to be inferred from the fore
going that the carriers are identified
with the present movement for the
Legislation under discussion. On the
contrary the influence of certain large
and potential transportation companies
has been exercised very recently to nip
in the bud movement on the part of
some of the railroads to support meas
ures framed to prevent ruinous rate
cutting and eliminate the unjust dis
ordinations which have been seriously
felt in shipping circles for many years.
Attention is directed to the conciliatory
spirit which exists in certain railway
quarters today in striking contrast with
their attitude on this question hereto
fore. But it is apparent that the ma
jority of the transportation companies of
the United States will be found arrayed
at the present session, as they have
been in the past, against any measure
designed to restrict their perfect free
dom of action.
The widespread public interest in the
legislation amendatory of the Interstate
Commerce Act found expression in the
Interstate Commerce Law Convention,
held in st. Louis November 20, 1900
Delegates were present from forty-one
commercial organizations, representing
industrial enterprises with millions of
capital, employing thousands of men,
and reaching out into every State and
Territory in the Union. The sense of
the convention was well expressed as
follows I'm the Judgment of this con-
vention it is of the utmost Importance
that the prevailing desire among the
commercial and industrial organizations
of the country for the enactment of
such amendments to the Interstate
Commerce Law as will insure it's more
effective operation in removing existing
inequalities and unreasonable exactions
in transportation charges and preventing
the practice of determinations now so
prevalent, should be impressed upon
members of Congress- in the most
forcible manner The convention in
vited the commercial and industrial or
ganizations of the United States to unite
in the movement to secure prompt ac-
tion on the part of Congress in en-
acting the desired aendments to the act.
A systematic effort was made to secure
action during the last Congress, but his
tory repeated itself. and the national
lawmakers adjourned without having
an opportunity to consider the measure
in open house. By dilatory tactics, and
without even the semblance of fairness
or disposition to discuss the question
on its merits, action by committees has
time and again been deferred
Recent developments have been such
|. as to make it incumbent upon Congress
act. The time is opportune, and fur
Der delay would arouse such a feeling
& resentment in commercial circles as
render possible serious agitation for
radical measures against the carriers.
Public opinion is in sympathy with the
present movement. This is apparent
from expressions by prominent states
N.Y. and business men, by the testimony
slIEnitted TO the Industrial Commission
ON She subject of transportation. and in
theJknown desire of certain representa-