The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-23


The abC- remark was made by j.
Pierpont Morgan during a recent visit
in Washington to a friend, with whom
he was discussing the presidents rec
ommendation regarding the govern
ment control of freight rates
Walter WelIman in his correspond
ence to the Chicago RecOrd-Herald
from Washington has been writing
about the annual report of the inter-
state commerce commission in a most
comprehensive way. He says: Rail
way rate regulation is the burning
question of the hour. An important
contribution TO the discussion of it
was made by the interstate commerce
commission in its annual report to
congress. 1t takes up the subjects OF
the regulation of rates, private cars
and indirect Determinations in a most
interesting manner
At the capitol a noteworthy change
in the sentiment of public men has
taken place. When this subject was
first preached by President Roosevelt
many of the more conservative sena-
tors said no such legislation could be
enacted Nothing could be done. 1t
was not wise, they added, to try to
regulate the universe. Constitutional
difficulties stood in the way. And
SO on.
by the appearance of Secretary Nor
tons authorized interview in these dis
patches At first some of the older
sena tors were inclined to think Mr..
Morton a little presumptuOus, for a
newcomer in the government. One or
two of them sneered a little. But Mr..
MortOn'S interview accomplished the
purpose in view 1t demonstrated
that there was a way in which some
thing could be accomplished. 1t of
fered tentatively a workable plan of
compromise. 1t satisfied both ship
pers and railway managers that Pres
tdent Roosevelt wanted one that is
Just to both sides.
Above all. It reused public senti-
ment- Letters by the thousand are
pouring in upon Washington, particu-
larry from the west, urging action.
Most of the writer's like the Morton
plan. which gives the shippers govern
ment supervision of rates, and gives
the railroads legalized pooling of their
earnings.
Now even the most conservative
senator's say something must be done.
Those who scOffed are now studying.
All the lawyers in the senate are look
ing up the authorities and preparing
plans. The senatorial mind is in a
state of inquiry, the necessary preced-
ent to act on 1T is a big problem,
but we can work it out" say the lead
ing lawyers of the senate. I'VE can't
do anything at this short session, but
We'll thrash the subject out this winter
and during the summer, and be ready
to legislate next winter
The more the senatorial students in
Qu1re into the matter the more they
appear to become convinced Mr. Nor
ton has found the solution to the prob
lem. But the main thing is. the SEN
ate has at last been stirred up. It is
making ready to respond to the pop
ular will in some way. That of itself
IS a great achievement. And what
may be called scientific railway reform
reform that is not drastic nor jug
handled, but dictated by common
sense and good public policy-is now
generally regarded as only a question
of time.
The interstate commerce commits
sion vigorously takes up the cudgels
in its own behalf 1t tells the national
lawmakers it should be given wider
power. AS things now are, after care
full investigation. the commission may
find a rate complained against to be
unreasonable and order the carrier to
desist from charging that rate for the
future; but it cannot, though the evil
dence may and usually does indicate
it, find and order the reasonable rate
T.. be substituted for that which has
been found to be unlawful. Any re-
duction aof the wrongful charge
amounts to technical compliance and
trees the carrier from any legal oblf-