The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-12-17
President Roosevelt Regards Rail.
road Regulation of First I'm
portance.
HINT OF POLITICAL
PHASE IN MESSAGE
Radical Policy of Government
Ownership Is the Real Rail
road Problem.
BY w. w. Jermane.

terested Just now In legislation for the
regulation Of interstate railroads. than
is interested in the tariff also, but the
more pressing need, in his Judgment, IS
for railway regulation.
There is a political aspect to the mat.
ter which he has presented to some OF
his callers. 1t is limited at in his mes
sage: EThe government must In IN
creasing degree supervise and regulate
the workings of the railways engaged |
in interstate commences; and such in
creased supervision is the only alterna-
tive to an increase of the present evils
on the one hand, or a still more radical
policy on the other.'
The Political Argument.
'The still more radical policy on the
other phrase hints at the political
argument, which is this:
The democracy is evidently destined
to reorganize on soclallstlc Ines me
radicals are getting together and will
be in the saddle next time. The large
increase in the socialist vote, and the
discussion Of the party and it's prlnel-
pies which that increase has brought
about, contains menace to the rail-
roads of the country.
The "still more radical policy' Is
government ownership. Many people
would be surprised If they knew in
what quarters this government owner
ship proposition is favored. There are
some high officials Of the government
who do not regard this as such bug
bear as it is commonly considered. The
been rapid of late years, extending to
the water and lighting systems of mum.
cipalities and lately to the municipal
street railroads. From this it is only
a step to the interurban roads, and thus
to the interstate lines.
AS to Government Ownership.
But the railroads of the country are
not ready for government ownership
proposition. Nor do they and their as
sociates in oapitalistic enterprises rel
ish the advance Of the socialistic ,prin..
ciples which government ownership Of
railroads would mean.
The alternative is course opposed
to "standpat' course. The remedy
for radicalism, as pointed out by the
president, is meeting radicalism half
way. The escape from the sOclallst1c
remedy is more stringent federal con- n
troll and correction of the abuses OF
which the public complain.
Many railroad men agree with the ad-
ministration in this matter. The presi-
dent has heard, directly and indirectly,
from some Of the most influential rail al
country, and he finds that they have
been thinking along the same lines
which he has, and that they are as anx-
ious as he is, to have congress take
some wise action. In their minds it is
only question what is best to be done.
Get Both Sides Together.
It is the Idea of President Roosevelt
to have the railroad men and the repre-
sentative shippers get together this win,
ter and discuss the question OF increased
e. cir Of hn
highways. The president has no fixed
notions as to the remedy. He has two
tentative plans which he is talking; but
he does not regard them as more than
suggestions. He believes that the rem,
edy will necessarily be in the nature of
compromise, and he wants the two
sides to begin to trade ideas and to
reach common ground.
AS to Commerce Court.
One plan which the president has
talked with members Of congress and
others is the suggestion to create an in
terstate commerce court. An entirely
erroneous report was circulated that
this court would be of a bipartisan
complexion. This idea is vigorously re:
such court, if appointed by him, would
be a court Of railway experts regardless
of political beliefs. The very idea
that the subject Of railway rates might
be considered as in any way related tc
politics. is denounced by the president II
sideration Of the mans competence t.
deal with the complex problems Of rail
reading would, says Mr.. Roosevelt, bt
considered in the creation of court o;
this character.
If a federal interstate commerce
court were created, it would be give1
jurisdiction over all purely, judicia
questions, and all such functions woult
be taken from the Interstate commerce.
commission and vested In this court
that the commission is a body which i
given administrative, legislative an
judicial functions, all to be exercise,
simultaneously. The commission would
in such event, be stripped of all excep
the administrative functions, but woul
at the same, time be- given additiona
powers and duties to initiate and prose
cute cases against the roads and befor
the Interstate commerce court.
Reduce Commissions Size.
It would also be the idea of the pres
ident that the interstate commerce
commission be reduced in it's member
sioner. Experience has demonstrate
that a commission is less effective whe
composed of numerous members tina
when it is made up of one or thre
gOOd men, WIN all neeueu assistance
The commission would be furnishe
with an ample appropriation to COZ
duct inquiries and to prosecute action
for any violation of the law brougt
to their attention.
Another plan which has been sus
gested is to increase the power of til
present interstate commerce commissio,
at the same time overhauling it's men
bership, and putting strong men on II
president believes that the salari
should be such as to be attractive I
the competent practical railroad me
in order that the commission migl
have the best men in the country.
The increased power in the presel
commission would be in the direction
revising rates and regulations, the r
vised rate to at once go into effect, al
to stay in effect unless and until II
court of review reverses it.
Bill in Next Congress.
/ When an agreement has been reacht
between the shipping and the railws