Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-03-03
THE PRESIDENT INSPIRING LAW EN-
FORCEMENT.

that on Saturday the death blow was
dealt to the Western Freight Associa-
ton by the withdrawal of the great
Chicago & Northwestern Railway Com
pany. 1t is stated that other big cor
porations are preparing to follow it. No
reason for the action is given by the
Northwestern except that 1t has become
dissatisfied with the workings of these
organizations and that it can derive no
benefit from remaining member of
them. 1t is understood, however, that
ity of the interstate commerce COM
mission and its evident intention of
prosecuting those who are found to be
guilty of violating the law.
A motive inspiring the movement in
railroad circles is given in the further
statement that some of the big railway
said to have been informed by the pres
ident that he was astounded over the
confessions of open violation of the law
that he had come to the conclusion that
the law should either be enforced or
repealed.
He gave them to understand that At
torney General Knox and the interstate
commerce commission has been in
structed to institute vigorous measures
to enforce the law. 1t is believed that
these roads cherish the feeling that
they do not care to be classed with or
binary law breakers, and that they will
be more discreet hereafter in respect TO
cutting rates and paying rebates.
Significantly with the statement that
the president is determined to enforce
the law, comes the declaration of a
leading railroad official in the March
Forum that the interstate commerce
commission has not been trying to do
it's duty within the scope prescribed for
it by law, but that, on the contrary, it
has been deveting its chief efforts to
the creation of sentiment favorable
which grant of power, this officer states,
would make the commission the most
powerful institution in the federal gov
eminent, and would In fact be govern
ment management of railroads. This
official is w. D. Hines, first vice presi-
dent Of the Louisville & Nashville Rail-
road.
IS He quotes the supreme court of the
United States as stating that such pow
er as the commission desires is one of
supreme delicacy and Importance" and
he does not believe the commission is
competent to perform such a task
The public is aware of the impression
prevailing whether justly founded or
not, that the interstate commission is
without proper power to do its duty.
Mr.. Hines controverts this theory, and
declares 1t is unnecessary to consider
further grants of authority until the
present law has been given an intelli-
gent and thorough trial He ayers that
80 far it has never been given that
trial. The complaints of the commits
sion that the present act has not been,
and will not be, enforced are confess
sions of its own failure to perform its
duty, rather than proof of the defects
of the law" Such severe arraign-
ment, from railroad source, deserves
careful investigation. This official de-
clares further that If the present Off
Gals will not enforce the law they
ought to resign and give the president
chance to appoint men who will
The scope of their authority may be
found in brief statement of the law.
1t prohibits G) Determinations or ar
bitrary differences in favor of one ship
per against another Ca fault disclosed
in the recent Chicago investigation)
(2) free passes or other determinations
in passenger rates; and CD pools or
combinations for the division of traffic.
1t is also empowered to some extent to
freight,
The present commission is composed