The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-02-26
THE FREIGHT RATE FIGHT is OH.

FOR legal authority Congress for enforcing its
ders against railways violating
short haul clause or when detected in discriminating
70 freight-rate schedules which demand in being
backed by the people has been pending ever since the
Supreme Court dispossessed the commissioners of such
power, is about be heard and passed by Con-
gress, if all signs do not fail Many railway
nents have in a way pretended that they not
favorable clothing the commission with such
But within the past days there been gathering
the leading railroad attorneys at Washington, who
have visited the President brought every influence
to bear that is possible bring on OF
Congress to the that the railroads such eg
1ation if any, viii be of benefit to them and
cedng but little if anything Of benefit
the shipping public appears that the railroads viii
get behind the Ekins BILL perhaps with modifca-
lions try pass IT, while the shipping interests rep
resented by Frank Barry secretary Of the executive
mittee Of the Interstate Commerce Law Convention
at St Louis November 20 1900 has in charge the
representing the shipping interests and it is understood
that the Interstate Commerce Commission is in fun sym
patty with the enactment Of an amendment which is
being pushed by Mr. Barry and Ills associates, Under
date Of February goth SIr. Barry the fol
lowing:
Permit me to call your attention to the following
expressions evidence of the strong public desire and
need for prompt amendment Of the act to regulate
commerce:
president Roosevelt in his message to the Fifty
seventh Congress- said:
The act should be amended The subject is one
of great importance and calls for the earnest attention
Of the Congress-
The last legislature Of Michigan by concurrent res
oution appealed TO Congress amend the act so
TO enable the Interstate Commerce Commission to put
into fun force and effect its rulings and decisions
'The last state legislature Of Wisconsin, by
rent resolution peJuoned congress TO specify amend
the act and requested the Senator'S and Representatives
Of that state TO cooperate in promoting the passage Of
the to that end.
"The last state legislature Of South Dakota by con-
current resolution memOrazed Congress, urging prompt
amendment OF the act autnoTzlng ana empowering the
commission fix reasonable just rates. ard also
adequate and wedefned procedure for the proper
orcement and carrying into eject It's decisions and or
ders. This enlargement the imperativey
needed to give the efficiency, that the objects
people
The last state legislature of Kansas by concurrent
resolution peuoned Congress to amend the act so
to enlarge the of the Interstate Com
mission and give to it authority to prevent unjust dis
ordinations in the interstate carrying trade
The last state legislature Of Louisiana. by
rent resolution petitoned Congress the
requested the senators and Representatives OF that state
TO urge upon Congress the passage Of amendments defn-
ing with more precision the powers and duties Of the
commission
These other state legislatures recognizing the
demand Of the people for relief from inolerabe
conditions have been content to appeal to the United
States Congress for remedial legislation
THE Industrial Commission Of the United States in
us maj report TO Congress, says:
1t is incontestabe that many Of the great indus
trial combinations had origin railroad discrim-
nations A great change in the status powers of
the Interstate Commerce Commission has taken place
since its institution in 1887 The decisions judicial
tribunals have greatly modified and general reduced
the powers and functions which the commission was
first supposed TO possess
1--WE recommend that the authority Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission, necessary adequate pro
lection of shippers, and clearly by the trainers
Of the law be restored and that the powers
tons of the commission be enlarged
"The Interstate Commerce Commission IN its if
teenth report Congress iterates its appeal
The commission has nothing TO propose
knowledge present conditions increases the necessity
dicated'
The National Association Of State Railroad Com,
nissjoners in convention at San Francisco 1901
by resolution, appealed United States Congress- to
amend the act said Congress is earnestly ;rred
TO The prompt Of legislation to cothe the IN
tersate Commerce Commission with power and author
y TO fix charges when its judgments need o he 50 rr
fected and again in convention at Charleston s G. Feb
Is. 1902 reiterated appeal forcef language
The National Grange Patrons of Husbsn5rv r. con
Nenuon appealed TO Congress for amendment of
we furnish nearly sixty per cent Of all the freight
carried by the railroads of this country believe that
the commission out the act but by viz
tue of judicial decisions r. has Cseea ~ he ~ co.
the regulation of Interstate approve the
recommendation as to charging the powers and duties
Of the commission giving it and charng it with the duty
The National Board Of Trade in annual convention
IN 1891 and osain in 1902 urged Congress 10 promptly
Resolved That the act to regulate commerce should
be amended so as to empower the Interstate Commerce
Commission TO enforce It's findings
The National Live Stock Association in annual con
venton appealed to the United States Congress amend
the act SO that the Interstate Commerce Commission be
granted adequate powers pass upon questions OF UNI
Teasonableness ana unjust railroad that
legal effect be given TO their decisions rendered
The Grain Dealers National ASSOCIATION in annual
convention assmbled at pes Noines. Iowa October g.
1901 menoTialzed the United States Congress 30 enact
into law such amendments the existing Interstate Com
1nerce Act viii remedy tie detects that have been
ment'
-rhe League Of National Associations in convention
ami fnT f7err-
petoned the United States Congress to amend the act
50 IS 10 assure Its more effective operation removing