The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-01-02
AMENDMENT
TO COMMERCE ACT
Cullom Believes Limited Pool
ing of Railway Rates Would
Be Beneficial.
ROOSEVELT'S PROBLEMS
Few Occupants of the Presidential
Office Have Been Confronted With
Such Serious Ones-Hobson's
Retirement.

Washington, Dec. Ex-senator Cul-
lom, author of the interstate commerce.
law, has been considering the possi-
bility of the enactment Of a law
strengthening the power of the inter-
state commission.
THE time is now ripe for legislation
I'M this subject said the senator, and
l believe it would be an easy matter
to get a bill through. The people have
been educated to the point where they
will, in my Judgment, agree to a linn
tied pooling Of rates on the part of
railroads. They have always been edu-
Gated to believe that the Interstate
commerce commission shoul have
power to fix rates when they are found
to be too high, and to make it's rulings
effective from the time the orders are
given.
1T was intended by congress that the
commission should have such power.
and we thought it had been lodged in
that body, but the United States courts
did not agree with us on this subject,
and it will therefore be necessary to
enact further legislation to carry out
the original intent of congress-.
1T cannot be denied that the trans
p~ortatlon companies of the country
discriminate in favor Of the large ship
pers. However,, a large quantity of
goods can be purchased at a discount
or at a cheaper rate than a small
amount, and in order to stop railroad
companies from discriminating it win
De necessary to overcome a we'll es-
tablished rule Of trade.
Removes Incentive to Rate Cutting.
Under a system which would allow
pooling or a division of the b%usiness,''
continued Senator Culiom, published
rates would be maintained because the
roads would be permitted to enter into
an arrangement whereby they could
pool their profits or divide the freight.
and in this way all parties to the agree
ment would have an equal share Of the
business or profits. There would be no
rate cutting, as there would be no in
centive for it. Pooling would be bene-,
hclal to the railroads, as it would abso-
lutely do away with rate cutting and
would keep many railroads out OF the
hands Of receivers.
1T would be beneficial to the public,
as 1t would result in the maintaining of
uniform rates, and the big AND little
shippers would be on the same footing,
Under the present arrangement the big
men have all the advantage, and it fire.
quently results in the small shipper be-
ing forced out of business because he
cannot secure so advantageous a rate
as his richer competitor.
There Is still opposition to pooling,
but when presented in the light as now
viewed by a great many people, it would
be a great Improvement over the pres
ent system"
Many Problems Before President.
Few presidents have been confronted
with such serious problems as have
fallen to the lot of Roosevelt within a
year after taking the oath. He came to
Office with a heritage of responsibility
from q reVious administration, inVol-
wing not only questions of policy but
direct promises and particular admin
%istratiVe action.
With the opening Of congress Roose-
welt was involved in a whirlwind over
a Cuban policy which he had not orig
mated, but which he had ~endeavored to
follow out on the lines laid down by
his predecessor. This problem Is not
yet out Of the way, but the presidents
policy has been approved by the people.
The trust question, has been before the
country all the time, n the president
Is still engaged in an effort to seek a
middle path which shall injure neither
the producer nor the consumer.
During the vacation Of congress the
coal strike assumed such proportions
as to require the attention Of the
president. This question he apparent
ly has solved, SO far as his own execu-
1--WE dCllOn Is concerned.
1t seemed when congress opened, the
trust question would be the only serious
matter during the present session. Nc
one looked for the state Of affairs which
mas arisen with regard to Venezuela,
1t is probable that no president has had
q more intricate international tangle to
unravel and the president seems at
last to be in a position where he may be
made the subject of criticism, no mat
| fG1 what bo doodle . f~ a. ..H
Hobson Will Be Retired. "
Captain Hobson has finally obtained
trom the senate committee on naval af-
fairs A favorable report upon his app1-
cation to be retired from the navy with
the rank n pay Of a captain. He has
been working for this for three years,
and has had the indirect assistance of
the navy department, although there is
determined opposition in congress
against 1t as establishing a bad prece-
dent. Hobson's plea for retirement is
based upon poor health and weak eyes.
but the navy department wants to get
rid Of him. Since his heroic adventure
with the Merrimac he has been ruined
for practical service by public adula-
ton. h honors that have been con-
ferred upon him have turned his head,
and he is not only unwilling to perform
the ordinary duty Of his rank, but his
superior officers say they are afraid to
lntrust him with responsibilities. He is
now IN sick leave" supposed to be too
Ill to perform his duties, but is SPEND.
ing his time in the most arduous Of oc-s
cupations-that of a travelling lecturer.
Delaware Senatorial Row.
The political clans win gather in Do
yer, Del, a few days after New Years
to again take up h Addicks senatorial
fight. While the administration re-.
pudiated It's Endorsement OF AddickH,
his followers contend that he has been
nevertheless greatly strengthened by
the appointment of District Attorney
Byrne, and there Is a better chance fog
bis election than there has been.