The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-02-14
RESOLUTIONS ARE ADOPTED
Oklahoma CnttIemen Vote on Meas
ures OF Interest

As a representative of the committee
on resolutions, Jerry Simpson read the
following resolutions at the convention
this morning. which were adopted:
The Oklahoma Live Stock ASSOCIATION
respectfully represents that it is an or
ganlzauOn composed of the principal
stock -raisers, feeders and breeders and
various commercial organizations Of the
southwest.
This association in behalf Of its con-
Sutuency earnestly urges UpoE the con-
2ress The great impo Itance and increasing
need OF federal legislation which VIII give
to the interstate commerce commission
adequate power to correct discrimination.
remove preferences. ab9te unreaSona bl q
rates, and, where necessary, 10 prescribe
the maximum and minimum rates, max
ing Its decision effective, pending any ap-
peal 10 the courts
When gho present interstate commerce
law was enacted in 1887 il was at east
popularity supposed, and we believe,
clearly intended, that it gave to the in
ter5tate commerce commission, after due
hearing and investigation, the power to
say what was a reasonable and unreas-
oa2ole rate, ard to enforce its decisions.
Court decisions have since declared that
the Interstate commerce. commission does
ret nave the power 70 fix rates TO- the
future, either directly or indirectly As
substantially every complaint that has
been or would be brought before the com
mission involves the question of the reas-
OnaoieneSS OF rates It can readily be seen
Ulat these court decisions practically
wipe out the only real power the commits
sion was supposed 10 have, and limits
Its usefulness 10 the collection and rrO-
mitigation OF statistics.
While governmental control over rail-
road charges through the medium of the
interstate commerce commission has been
gradually fading away. the general -ail-
road situation mas undergone pOrtentoUS
chcngcs. Little Independent carriers have
been forced TO the wall and absorbed by
hay
combined With or sold out to ether
larger competing systems until today by
this Capitalization the rail transportation
ldClHueS or this country are practically
controlled by The scarce half dozen diff
fercnt interests. By these transactions,
reOrganlza TONS and combinations, added
burdens nave not only been placed on the
men who pay the freight by reason OF in
croases in the fixed charges Of indebted
ness Of the railroads. but his sole remain
ing safeguard by free competition has
Eeen virtually eliminated so that the
DHDiic, which now l2S greater need Of in
teuigent and effective federal supervision
and regulation of railroad charges has
less protection today than previous to the
enactment of the present interstate COM
merce law.
The general and marked advance in
rates during the past three years of I'M
eXampled prosperity to the railroads
were spparently unnecessary and seem
inSlY unWarr2nted upon any other theory
than the intent of the railroads TO exact
al they could. The multiple economics
Of railroad operation, together with the
enormous increase in the amount OF traf-
nc, would seem to logically suggest G re-
ductiCn instead OF an advance. Their
action, however, ela bles us to unmistak-
ably forecast what they would 90. uDre-
strained by federal control, when by fur
ther consultations or by other agencies,
competition becomes entirely stihed.
The members Of the Oklahoma Live
stock association recognize that the
railroads are powerful agencies of pro-
SrcsS and that more than any other fac
tor. they have contributed to the develop
ment Of the country. The superb service
We expect TO pay the railroads the cost
OF the service they render. together with
reeSona Ole profit on their Investment:
we 90 not want the service for any less
nor ought we be compelled to pay more.
We are not presUmine TO say what are
or may be reasonable and fair rates, but
we do emphaticaily protest against the
railroads. being the sole arhiters of their
charges and eXacuug what they think the
rainc WI Island, or, in palmer language,
al they can get.
If railroad rates are fair and reasonable
the railroads should not fear any investi-
Eauon OF them by an impartial tribunal
me objections they make against the
proper federal supervision Of rates by an
expert commission confirms the suspicion
that railroad rates need regulating.
Either the government must assume at
once an Intelligent and comprehensive {
control over railroad charges. or prepare
Tor absolute ownership OF the Transports
ton facilities OF this country.
For these. among many other patent
reasons, the mem beers Of the Oklahoma
Live Stock association respectfully re-
quest congress TO give early attention to
this much needed legislation. which has
already been too long delayed.