The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-03
POWER TO MAKE RATES
MAY NOT Be CONFERRED
Interstate Commerce Commission
Act Changes VIII Be Deliber-
ately Considered.
VIEWS OF A LEGISLATOR

IL w - vi ~ II<oI OL<- 4 N/AN
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Feb. doubt is ex-
pressed by some of the best informed men
in both houses of Congress that the legis-
lation asked by the shippers and the Inter-
state-commerce Commission for placing a
rate-making power in the hands Of the COM
mission will be granted by Congress at least
until some important changes are made
with respect to the commission and matters
are more settled regarding the policy of the
public toward the railroads. While it is
conceded by the railway men that the
pending bill is the most fair that has been
suggested along the lines of government
supervision Of railway rates, IL is doubted
that the measure would be acceptable to
the companies or to the public. or whether
the commission would be entirely satisfied
that it is competent to WELD the vast pow
ers proposed to be granted.
This matter of dealing with the econom-
les of industry by law. especially with re-
spect to prices. has been a failure in all
ages" said one of the foremost legislators
In the House. "All one has to do is TO ex-
anime into the experiences had under eff
equalize and make stable wages or prices
by law TO see what a marked failure that
kind of legislation has been. 1t would GER
tainly see that the power of government
should be exercised to prevent combinations
and monopolies and extortion in the mat
ter of transportation rates. The Elkins law,
passed in the last Congress, was step in
that direction far in advance of anything
heretofore accomplished. 1t has, it is be-
lieved, materially checked the disposition
among railway lines 20 grant favors By re-
bates and like concessions to large shippers
So far that Is wise legislation. But whether
IL would be wise to give the Interstate-c COM
merce Commission power to Xix rates which
shall remain until overturned by the courts
Is proposition which one must hesitate
until testimony has been heard from all
sides to the controversy 1t certainly sounds
reasonable that the commission should have
this power, and as the bill has been modified
SO that quick relief may be secured If 1t
turns out that an error of judgment has
been made, there is an element of merit in
the proposition which appeals to thinking
men,"
One of the complaints made by the rail-
road companies against the pending bill is
that IT confers judicial powers upon a COM
mission that Is political in its nature and
shiftlng IN Its character; also that the COM
mission itself is not able to determine what
Is reasonable rate in given instance:
that the commission would not be able 10 do
the country any good with the proposed
plan unless a general pooling law were
ADOPTED. II is recalled that the commits
sion has favored in a tentative way the
passage Of pooling law, provided the ques-
tlOn as 10 what a rate should be is left
10 the commission itself on hearings ar
ranged after complaints by shippers.
One thing is certain, however and that is
ers of the Interstate-commerce Commission,
as proposed in the pending bill, will be
more generally discussed than any similar
legislation has been before the committees
OF congress before. the measure is finally
reported for passage.
Hugh II. Hanna, of Indianapolis. accom-
panied by his son. arrived here to-day. Mr..
Hanna will confer with Senator Fairbanks
relative TO the amendment to the deficiency
bill, stricken out in the House. provid-
ing an appropriation of 100000 to continue
the work OF the monetary commission, of
which he is a member.
Judge William L. Penfield left for Auburn
to-day. 1t is his purpose to remain in the
State several days.
r. p. Bennett, of Indianapolis, a law
clerk In the insular bureau, will soon be
transferred to the law division of the De-
partment Of Commerce.
+
Charles A. Niehaus the well-known New
York sculptor, who desires to submit de-
sign for the Harrison statue to be erected
in Indianapolis, is here TO confer with Sem
ator Fairbanks.
Admiral George Brown, of INDIANAPOLIS
is here. He arrived to-day from Annapolis,
where he attended the graduating exercises
at the Naval Academy. He will remain I'M
til Friday, when he will return home.
Morton w. Hawkins. of Portland, is an
applicant for a position as second lieu
tenant in the Marine corps.
Thomas w. Lammpin has been commits
stoned postmaster at Tampico, Jackson
county.
Hosea Douglass has been appointed reg
ular carrier, and Mont Douglass substitute
in the rural free delivery service at Hills
dale, Ind.
A decision will soon be rendered on the
request of the business men of East Mich
igan street. Indianapolis. that they be given
a noon delivery of mail. The matter was
recently directed 10 the attention of the
postmaster general by Senator Beveridge
who was advised to-day that an investiga-
ton had been ordered. j. f. NJ