The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-01-24
RESULTS
INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMITS
SION MAKES COMPLETE
REPORT.
Charges Against Big Firms Are Re
itefalSd.

Washington. Jan. 22.-The annua. re-
port of the interstate commerce commits
sion which was transmitted TO congress
today renews the declaration made IN
previous reports that in its present con
dition the act to regulate commerce can
not be enforced. As to remedial legis-
lation the commission renews the state
ment made IN its previous annual report
that it has little to suggest and moth
ing new TO propose"
The feature Of the report is the almost
sensational statement of the relations ex-
listing between the railroads and a com
paratively few heavy shippers. Refer
ring to the commissions recent investiga-
tions in to the amount Of packing house
products aud of grain and grain products.
the report says: The facts therein de-
veloped are of such a character that no
thoughtful person can contemplate them
with Indifference That the leading traf-
fic officials Of many Of the principal rail-
way lines. men occupying high positions
and charged with the most important
duties. should deliberately violate the
statute law of the land and in some cases
agree with each other TO DO so: that IL
should be thought by them necessary to
destroy vouchers and to so manipulate
bookkeeping as to obliterate evidence Of
the transactions; that hundreds OF thous-
ands of dollars should be paid IN unlaw-
ful rebates TO few great packing hous-
es; thru the business OF railroad transpor-
tation should to such an extent be con-
Quoted in open disregard OF law. must be
surprising and offensive TO all right mind
ed persons. Equally startling at least
is the fact that the owners Of these pack
ms houses. men whose names are known
throughout the commercial world shou
seemingly be eager 10 augment the,F
gains with the enormous amounts of
these rebates which they receive IN plain
defiance Of a federal statute.
That there are ailitatine circumstances
under which railway traffic officials act.
the commission is not unmindful. and the
oninion is expressed that existing laws
should be so amended that railway man
ayers who desire 20 observe them can DO
so without risk of sacrificing their prep
erty.
Tho application Of the rer1edy. The re-
port says. is frausht with danger 70 the
puolic and il should not be applied unless
the public Is fully protected. In view ~
these great combinations which have been
formed and are now forming. By r hicb
railway competition. which UPON the pres
eut theory of this law. f. greatly relied
upon 70 secure Just and reasonable rates
on facilities wil be largely eliminated
sor1e method should b. provided by which
the government can exercise IL fact. fhat
control over railway rates aad operations
wlich courts without number haVe af-
serted that & Possesses ard which -ar~
persons suppose that it zou eXerts- Tas
commission believes thar the whole lav
sh0uls b revised upon some oerfec.
theory ard sore workable tes.r
ia view of tfo gross eiol1tio1s - a.
act TIE csrnissio7 suggests that 4 y g.
net possible - amend th's lw i1 is
more essential faat1ras Il ought t7 ~
least be possible o. 6e3 Hta fh1se e1-
erciee features u thc act wha r .E-
TENDED 20 prevent practices ~ tts crar-
acter- Raferrieg b the cc1rt dtrio,s
thet penalties c7n-ot te ir1osad rne
corporations Violating ti..s ac- srd fnat
oniF tHelr artrfs caa be rlrlzaal tic
commission saws.
vow. rhs object q rate cEttias is -
get business a-i make m1-eT aa4 tre
carpcrazl1a. Z anyone rrfss -
raf a-f 81 the rezi e
certainly nsr raa peg 4
c1icsr n every W tat far-
slter saf er-el t-r r
ti.l ssTr sure. - tlst ile mercy f
ftr sr-rs4rte1 1893 ~ - -
rr 1850. - ..sr-f ssh