Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-12-08

muu,fut,n OF rrunsasusOug AMsaR ~ peo-
ple OF the different states and between
American companies and foretGn- -Sovern-
ments. urge Snat 1ne congress care
fully consider whether the power OF the
bureau OF corporations cannot constitu-
tionally be extended to cover Interstate
transactions in insurance.
Rebates.
Above all else, we must strive to keep
the highways Of commerce open to all on
equal terms; and to do this 1t ID neces-l
sary to put complete stop to all re-
bates. Whether the shipper or the rail-
road Is to blame makes no difference;
the rebate must be stopped. the abuses
OF the private car and private terminal
track and side-track systems must be
stopped, and the legislation OF the Fifty
eighth congresh which declares II to be
unlawful for any person or corporation
TO offer, grant, give, solicit, accept or
receive any rebate. concession or discrim-
ination in respect Of the transportation
Of any property In Interstate or foreign
commerce whereby such property SHAH
by any device whatever be transported AZ
a less rate than that named in the tarins
published, by the carrier must be en-
forced For some time after the enact
ment Of the act to regulate commerce u
remaineS a mooted question whether that
act cor erred upon the interstate com.
meree Commission the power, afysr II fhau'
found a challenged rate to be unreason-
able. to declare what thereafter should,
prima facie, be the reasonable maximum
rate for the transportation In dispute.
The supreme court finally resolved that
question In the negative, 80 that az the
law now stands the commission simply
possess the bare power to denounce
particular rate as unreasonable. While 1
am of the opinion that at present It
would be undesirable, II 1t were not I'M
practicable, finally to>clothe the commits
sion with general authority 10 nx raii-
road rates, / do believe that, az fair
security to shippers. the commission
should be vested with the power, where
a given rate has been challenged ana
after full hearing found to be unreason-
able, to decide, subject to judicial re-
view, what shall be a reasonable rate 10
take its place; the ruling Of the COM
mission 10 take effect Immediately, and
to obtain unless and until It is reversed
by the court OF review. The government
must In Increasing degree supervise ana
regulate the workings OF the railways
engaged in interstate commerce; and such
increased supervision is the only alterna-
tive to an increase of the present evils
policy on the other. In my judgment the
most important legislative act now need
ed as regards the regulation Of corpora
tions is this act to confer on the inter-
state commerce commission the power TO
revise rates and regulations. the revised
rate to at once go Into effect, and to stay
In effect unless and until the court OF re-
view reverses 1t.
Department Of Agriculture.
The department Of agriculture has grown
into an educational institution with fac
ulty of 1000 specialists making research
into all the sciences Of production. The
congress appropriates, directly and indi-
rectly, s6OOO,OOO annually to carry on this
work. 1t reaches every state and territory
in the union and the Islands OF the sea late
" come under our flag. Cooperation is had
with the state experiment stations, and
with many other institutions AID individ-