The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-24
Coupled with Other Violations of the
Inv for which There Is No Re-
dress, Reviewed at Length.
ALLEGED CRIMINAL METHODS
YOUNG MEN SAID TO BE TAUGHT TO
FALsIFY LEDGERs,
While OmciaIs of Railways Are Ac-
Be Corrupted by Packers.
,nscia1 70 the INDIANAPOLIS Journal.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-One of the most
important reports which has been sent TO
Congress this session is that of the Inter
state-commerce Commission, which was
transmitted to-day. 1t goes to the heart of
the transportation question with straight
jabs and frankly says the entire blame for
inadequacy for stable rates rests with
the Congress. The report says that
determinations are fostered by purely
criminal methods on the part of
railway officials and shippers. 1t says
that at the present there Is no remedy
because the government has no power to
punish those who thrive by these criminal
practices. 1t says that great corporations
and great commercial organizations teach
young men TO falsify ledgers, statements
and reports TO prevent detection in the
work in securing Determinations against
other shippers. 1t says that railway Off
cials are debauched in order to secure for
favored firms rebates which enable a
strong Institution TO punish weaker organi-
cations. 1t says the weakness and de-
fciencies OF the present interstate-com-
merce law enable strong commercial cor
porations TO form criminal conspiracies
with strong transportation companies. The
report is definitely along the lines of the
President s message to Congress and rec
ommends exactly the same sort of legisla-
tiOn that he favored
PREVIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS.
The report is the fifteenth submitted by
the commission. 1t says the twenty-first
section of the act to regulate commerce
imposes the specific obligation of recon-
mending 10 the Congress such additional
legislation las the commission may deem
necessary" Referring to this obligation in
its annual report submitted two
years ago, the commission said: I'm
previous communications to the Congress,
especially those of more recent date, at
tention has been called to the vital re-
spects in which the act 10 regulate COM
merce has proved defective and Inadequate
Some Of its provisions were early seen to
be imperfect, while others were so uncer-
tain or ambiguous as to give rise to pro-
tracted litigation. resulting finally in au-
thoritative construction by the Supreme
Court of the United States. The commits
sion has taken much pains explain the
various questions that have thus been de-
cided and the effect of these adjudications
in defeating the purposes of the act. To
state that the law in It's present condition
has already been said. Until further and
important legislation IS enacted the best
efforts at regulation must be feeble and dis
appointing"
IN the annual report of last year the fol-
lowing was said: with reference to fur
ther legislation the commission has little TO
suggest and nothing new to propose. The
subject has been fully discussed in pre-
vious reports TO the Congress. and recon-
mendations both general and specific have
been repeatedly made The reasons for
urging these amendments have been care
fully explained. and repetition of the argu-
Dent az this time can hardly be expected.
While the attitude Of the commission has
been misunderstood by some and misrepre-
sented by others. the views heretofore Of
ficially expressed are believed 10 be justified
alike by experience and reflection. They
are confirmed by later and current obser-
vstfOns- knowledge of present conditions
and tendencies increases rather than les
sens the necessity for legislative action
upon the lines already indicated, and in
such other directions as will furnish an
adequate and workable statute for the
regulation OK commerce among the several
States"
These statements" the report says. zap
ply with added force 10 the present situa-
tion. In repeating the views thus ex-
pressed the commission believes that its
duty in respect of recommendations is most
suitably performed.
RECENT DISCLOSURES.
Referring TO recent Investigations made
into the movement of packing house prod
ucts and the movement Of grain and grain
products. the commission says that the
facts therein developed are of such a char
acter that no thoughtful person can con-
template them With indifference. That the
leading traffic officials Of many OF the prin-
cipal railway lines. men occupying high
positions and charged with the most i'm
pOrtant 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 neces-
sary 10 destroy vouchers and to so manipu-
late bookkeeping as 10 Obliterate evidence
OF the transactions. that hundreds OF thou
sands OF dollars should be paid in unla vful
rebates 10 ieW great packing houses; that
the business or railroad transportation, the
most important but one i'm the country to-
day. paying the highest salaries and hold
ing out TO young men the greatest induce
ments, should 10 such an extent be con-
Quoted in open disregard OF law must be
surprising and offensive 10 all right-minded
persons Equally startling at least Is the
fact that the owners Of these hacking
houses, men whose names are known
throughout the commercial world. should
seemingly De eager 10 augment their gains
with the enormous amounts OF these re-
bates which they receive la plain defiance
OF leueral statute. These facts carry
their own comment. and nothing said by US
can add TO their Significance
The commission is not unmindful of the
palliating circumstances under which rail-
way traffic officials act. These have been
fully stated In previous reports. and the
commission has stated in that connection
what, IN Us opinion. is the proper remedy
We certainly believe that existing laws