East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1904-12-20
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An entire column is none too much
to discuss in all its phases, the rec
omendatons- made by President
Roosevelt in his recent message re-
specting the enlarged powers of the
interstate commerce commission. Be-
cause of those recommendations the
question of railroads becomes a vital
issue in American politics.
Comments on this portion of the
message present some interesting feat
ures. There are some republican
leaders who are limiting, in effect,
that the president has adopted demo-
cratic or populist policies-stolen
Bryan's thunder as to railroad super
vision. Many of the warmest ex-
pressions of praise of the message
come from leading democrats. Burk
coohrane, 1or instance, says: "The
PRESIDENTS message is vibrant with
the spirit OF the American people"
The criticism and lack of appreciation
comes almost entirely from those an
cient senators who cannot keep the
hot pace of our vigorous president,
and railroad managers. The people,
regardless of party, are pleased to
have president who proposes to do
things.
Increase Commissions Powers.
What is the recommendation of the
president that has excited so much
comment? In a word, il is this: In
crease the powers of the interstate
commerce commission, so that, upon
complaint of an unreasonable railroad
rate, and after full investigation, the
commission may decide what is the
reasonable rate. The decision as to
the rate shall stand and become oper-
ative subject to review by the courts.
That does not read like a radical
proposition or an unconstitutional
procedure. II does not put the rate
full-making power in the hands of
the commission. 1t does give the
commission power to correct abuses
and inequalities. And it makes the
decree absolute unless changed by a
]
decision of the courts.
The president has adopted substan-
TALLY the provisions of the Cooper
Quaries bill, now pending. According
to the provisions of this bill, If the
commission upon a hearing deter
mines that a railroad rate is unrea-
sonable it may substitute what it be-
lieves to be a reasonable one. Such
rate shall be operative within 80 days
and shall stand unless reversed by an
appeal to the courts.
Makes II Deadlock.
Now the railroad managers and at
torneys who have been quoted insist
that the rate shall not be operative
until the same has been passed upor
by the courts. Experience proves
that such an arrangement practical.
ly eliminates the commission from
the situation. The shipper would a:
well appeal to the courts at once. Be.
fore he could get a verdict, probably
the need for a rate, or the value o.
/, it, would have passed away. Rail
road attorneys are adopts at hang
ing up cases in the courts. Della!
would hinder the remedy and max,
appeal useless.
There was paid out i'm this coun
try for railroad transportation, las
year. the enormous sum of $3.50,
: 150.679 or nearly three times tn
revenues received by the governmen
from all sources for the same period
The total net revenues of the rail
roads, last year, were $734,7O9,329
The total receipts of the Unite,
States government were, $694,621,
117.64 or s4O.OSS,112.36 less than tn
net revenues of the government.
, The railroads, therefore, financial
ly speaking, are more powerful thai
, the government. The government
levies are for sum sufficient to pa
, expenses only. The railroad levie
are made for profit and in most in
. stances are all the traffic will beal
, And these tariffs, either throug
!. changes in classification or by direC
) methods, tend upwards. The conclu
: sion is inevitable. Either the peopl
! must have some relief through gov
: COhtiOi S"i
: ership must come.
No Thinking Man Afraid.
. And no thinking man is alarme
! by the prospect of government OWL
. ership Anyone who has travelled
2 Europe on railroads operated or owl
8 ed by the governments know that II
9 plan is practical. While the problel
: in this country presents some feature
. that are not present in Europe thel
= is no doubt the difficulties could
. overcome. And the people wou
. receive large benefit either becaui
3 of lowered rates or because Of lov
9 cred taxes through the earnings
: their transportation lines. b
. neither the time nor the demand HI
: come for government operatio
. What is wanted is federal supervisio