Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1904-12-15
RAILROAD RATES
POWERS OF THE INTERSTATE
COMMERCE COMMISSION.
The Wall Street Journal Advocates Giving the
Commission Power to Regulate Rates.
The Subject is Recognized as One Of Funda.
mental Importance.

One of the first subjects brought to the
attention Of the president since election
has been that Of the regulation Of rail.
road rates. This problem was presen.
ted to him by a large delegation includ-
ing governors of two states and represent
tatives OF many commercial organiza-
tions. 1t is subject Of fundamental
Importance. 1t now comes up in the
shape OF demand for an enlarge ment
of the powers of the Interstate Com
merce Commission, so as to make it
practically court Of last resort as
regards railroad rates.
Whether railroad rates be regarded as
transportation tax or as the price patti
for transportation service, there isnever.
theless need of the establishment of
some system which shalt insure the
making of stable, equitable rates, thus
preventing discrimination either between
localities or individuals. The question
has been raised as to whether the adj
vance in railroad rates in the past three
years has been equitable, in view Of the
fact that by consultations and inter.
changes of stocks the railroads have been
able to get rid OF excessive competition,
and have reduced almost to an exact
science the business OF transportation.
But whether this advance is unwarranted
and due to an arbitrary excess OF a
monopolistic power, or whether it is only
in line with the general increase in
prices Of commodities, which have added
to the cost Of living, the fact remains
that some solution Of the railroad pro-
blem is demanded. Speaking generally,
there are three ways OF dealing with the
railroad problem.
First. by letting the railroads alone to
do as they please, depending upon
economic laws to protect the public.
Second, by selling them to the gov
eminent for their operation as public
property, the same as the post.ofiice
department.
Third, by leaving them under the
ownership and operation OF corporations
to be carried on as independent business
enterprises, but subiecting them to
supervision and regulation by the gov.
eminent.
The third is the system under VIII icb
we are now working. But it is held that
the powers OF the officials of the go vern
ment having supervision over the rail
roads should be increased SO as to pre-.
vent those inequalities in rates as serve
to favor one section at the expense OF
another; to enrich one individual at the
expense Of many; and to confer powers
scarcely less than those of the govern
ment itself upon individuals who, how
ever capable and conscientious they may
be, have no direct responsibility 10 the
people. We believe there is justice in
this demand. We recognize that the
making OF rates is very delicate thing
involving many intricate problems. and
that it is function which should be pre-
formed by qualified experts. We recog-
HtIo tndI u SoVerllhieuC CoiilhiiSeioii
having power to regulate railroad rates
might work much mischief and that to
confer such powers upon commission
INVOLVES the possibility OF political evils.
But however great those evils may be,
they are less than those which would
attend either government ownership or
an entira ahsenca Of cyoyarnmant si1per.
vision.
The view Of a leading railroad