Arizona republican., 1902-01-13
THE STATES TRADE
 RAILROAD BUSINESS
Legislation Amendatory of the Interstate Commerce
 Law
A General Demand for the Restriction of the Powers of the Railroads, and, on the Other Hand. Greater Liberality.

Washington. D. C., Jan. l2.-Great public interest is al present attracted to the subject of legislation amenda- tony of the interstate commerce act. This is manifested by the large number of letters and petitions that are being received by senators and representa- lives urging prompt action on the measure which is submitted to the : Fifty-seVenth congress by the organ iZed commercial interests of the United States. No question to be considered at this session of congress is of so much importance to the commercial welfare of the country and to the peo- ple generally as that embodied in the . bill proposing to so strengthen the in , Jerstate commerce act as to make the rulings of the commission binding and effective until reversed by the courts. The growth of public sentiment in fla vor Of this legislation has become SC pronounced during the past few years that early action by congress is re- garded by many of the railroad cor poratiOns as necessary to forestall se- rious agitation for government owner ship of transportation lines.
 There has been q strong and persist ent demand for the enactment of amendments to the interstate commerce
 
 ed down it's decision to the effect that the commission created by the act was vested with no authority to enforce it's findings. The commission was thus di- vested of the power which it was sup posed to possess and which it exer- cised for some years after the enact ment of the law. Legislation designed to give effectiveness to the rulings of the interstate commerce commission and place the common carrier under government control. so far as tits pub lie service is concerned. has been stren- uously opposed by some of the railroad companies. and not until the past year have they ever manifested disposi- ton to cooperate with business and commercial organizations in a move ment on congress for remedial meas rres to correct the intolerable condi- tions growing out of unjust rate dis minations-conditions which in some eases are seriously affecting the export trade or the United States in certain commodities. and in other instances building up the industries of one sec tio1 to the disadvantage of another.
 It is not to be inferred from the fore going that the carriers are identified with the present movement for the leg islation under discussion. On the con- trary, the influence of certain large and potential transportation companies has been exercised very recently to nip in the bud movement on the part of some Of the railroads to support meas ures framed to prevent ruiaous rate cutting and eliminate the unjust dis CT iminatious which have been seriously felt in shipping circles for many years. Attention is directed to the conciiiatory spirit which exists in certain railway quarters today in striking contrast with their attitude on this question heretofore. But it is apparent that the ma jority of the transportation com panies of the United States will be found arrayed at the present session. as they have been in the past. against any measure designed to restrict their perfect freedom Of action.
 The widespread public interest in the Legislation amendatory of the interstate commerce act found expression in the interstate commerce law convention held in St. Louis November 20. 1900 Delegates were present from forty-one commercial organizations, representing industrial enterprises with millions of capital, employing thousands of men, and reaching out into ever state and territory in the union. The sense of the convention was well expressed as fol- iCws: Tn the judgment of this con- vention it is of the utmost importance that the prevailing desire among the commercial and industrial organiza- tons of the country for the enactment of such amendments to the interstate commerce law as will insure it's more effective operation in removing exist ing inequalities and unreaSonab ble eX- actions in transportation charges and preventing the practice of discrimina- lions now so prevalent. should be i'm pressed upon members of congress in . the most forcible manner" The con- vention invited the commercial and in dustrial organizations of the United States to unite in the movement to se- cure prompt action on the part of con- gross in cnacting the desired amend ments to the act. A systematic effort was made to secure action during the last congress, but history repeated itself. and the national lawmakers ad- jOurned without having an opportunity to consider the measure in open house ! By dilatory tactics and without even the semblance of fairness of d disposi- ton to discuss the question on its merits. action by committees has time and again been deferred.
 Recent developments have been such as to make it incumbent upon congress to act. The time is opportune and fur ther delay would arouse such q feel ing of resentment in commercial cir cies as would render possible serious ! agitation for radical measures against the carriers. Public opinion is in sym pathy with the present movement. This is apparent from expressions by prom inent statesmen and business men, by the testimony submitted to the indus tIial commission on the subject Of transportation. and in the known de- sire of certain representative railroad men to meet the friends of the pro- posed legislation in q spirit of com