Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-11-19

THE ARGUS
nues received either by any one rail-
way. or by all the railways. II is quite
probable. however. that upon investiga-
ton 1t would be found that the revenue.
as a whole, exceeds the fair remunera-
ton of which have spoken. The pur-
pose of this prelude Is to connect il
with the statement. the truth OF which
may easily be established, that in the
adjustment of rates as between COM
munities and localities. and in many in
stances in their enforcement as be-
tween individuals. there Is more injus-
tlce now being inflicted upon the
American people than they are suffer
ing from any other causes combined.
Every man in the United States en-
gagged in business of any magnitude is
wholly dependent upon transportation
for the permanence and profits Of his
business. II railway rates were equit-
ably adjusted. but as a whole too high.
the people would be divided into two
classes. namely, the owners and users
of railways, and ~hile the former
might reap inordinate profits, the lat
ter would contribute proportionately to
the wrongful exaction- But il rail
way rates are not fairly adjusted. then
no matter whether they are too high or
just high enough, the men and COM
munities who are Disseminated against
have no chance in the struggles of
commerce. The present adjustment of
these rates is full of the most vicious
inequalities. I could stand here by the
hour and recite instances which have
either developed by lawful authorities,
or that have come under my personal
observation, but inasmuch as am
speaking to men who are quite as ia
miliar with the subject as / am, l do
not enter into these details. l assert
the fact. and hold myself in readiness
toNf it be questioned.
Inequalities In Rates.
These inequalities are not simply
the result of mistakes. not simply the
result of failure to grasp the whole
situation by the rate making power,
but are the results. first. OF that sell
fishness and desire for ones own profit
that is common to all humanity. and
second. to the intimacies of railway
arrangements, as allied to industrial
combinations. which have forced rail-
way managers into the vicious prac-
tees now known to all men. For my
self, | never expect to see competition
an effective and continuing force in
railway rate making. However We may
deplore the elimination of this factor In
the business of transportation. we will
be compelled to accept the situation, and
act accordingly. When, however, COM
petition ceases to act. ana fails to Sc
cure fairness, there is but one force
that can act. and that is the force Of
the government under which we live.
/ believe that in view of the develop
ment of which we have been witnesses.
in view of the dependence of the whole
people upon equality of transporta-
ton, IT is one of the highest and most
important duties of government to see
to 1t that those who must use the
means of transportation may use these
facilities upon fair and equitable
terms.
Government Control of Rates
In this state we perceived this ne
cessity fifteen years ago. and clothed
our railway commissioners with au-
thority to revise railway rates. The
jurisdiction of our commission, how
ever. extends only to local business.
The proportion of this business as
compared with that which is carried
on between the states is very small.
What we now need more than any 9TH
er thing is that some tribunal of the
general government. having authority
throughout the length and breadth of
the land, shall be invested with the
power to supervise and revise ind
recreate rates established by the rail-
ways for the interstate commerce. The
time has passed in which the expedi-
ency of exercising their power can be
ways have a right to full compensa-
ton for the service they render, but
they have no right to assume or assert
that rates made for them by the govern
| ment will be less than compensatory
They must. as we all must, depend up
on the justice of the laws and the in.
tegrity with which they are enforced
Must He n Change
Il
Il recognize the difficulty of the un
dertaking. but in these days govern
ments must undertake difficult things
and IL they cannot successfully perform
them, then government is failure, and
We must try some other plan for the
protection of society. / do not doubt
that now and then injustice would be
done by the tribunal to which this
power is granted to railway owners
but injustice is now and then done tC
all men. I believe. however, that less
injustice would be done than is now
inflicted by the railways guided only by
their own desires.
Il trust, therefore. that this associa
ton will bear in mind that il is working
upon great problem. I shall not ex
pect when you succeed. as I hope and
l.