Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-12-22
RAILROAD LEGISLATION.

March 8. 1879.
RAILROAD LEGISLATION.
A Washington correspondent who is
regarded as dependable has made pub
lie a rough outline of the plan which
ne says Is proposed by the leaders in
congress and the cabinet for carrying
out the suggestions contained in the
Presidents message for reform in rail
road freight rates and for clothing the
interstate CONNER commission with
power to fix these rates In an euuable
manner. The provisions Of this rough
plan are given as follows:
First-An interstate commerce com
mission of one or three members for
each OF the nine judicial circuits, with
commissioners appointed for life and
provided with adequate salaries.
Second-Establishm of a corps of
expert railroad men as adjusters and
advisers, with one general office in
each circuit
Third-Rates adjusted by the com.
mission to stand when affirmed by the
court, the railroads in the meanwhile
1 collecting full rates. but issuing con-
tingent rebate receipts.
Fourth classification Of freight to
be made by the commission on a uni
form basisfor the United States.
F4fth-Provision to be made for
prompt appeals by either shipper or
railroads.
Sixth The creation Of a special
branch, Of the Circuit Court Of Appeals
to try railroad rate classification and
regulation cases.
Seventh-Dis Distribution of earnings
between railroads by pools or other.
wise to be freely permitted under the
general supervision of the interstate
commerce commission
The above plan must be regarded as
a rough outline promulgated for the
purpose OF bringing out discussion and
investigation. The object sought is to
secure the rights of the people with
reference to the great transportation
problem and at the same time be fair
70 the railroads and their vested In
terests. Whether or not it will be
necessary in order to adjust rates
fairly to the different parts of the
country. to have nine interstate COM
missions instead of one, each to have
jurisdiction over a single district. Is
q matter that can only be rightfully
determined after an exhaustive and ex-
pert Investigate by a congressional
committee. AS q general principle 1t
4 seems to- us that 1t would be far bet
ter to have but one commission as at
present. Certain 1t is that we are un.
qualidedly opposed to life appoint.
ments for any official.
Upon the general principle of gov.
toll Nf
/. people are fully in accord with Presi.
Sdent Roosevelt. who presented the
proposition to the country in his re-
Won't message to congress in the fol.
lowing words:
I'm my Judgment, the most import
INT legislative act now needed as re-
cards the regulation of corporations is
This acttto confer on the interstate
commerce commission, the power to
1evise rates and regulations, the re.
4 9ised rates to go at once into effect
and Ito stay in effect unless and until
thescourt OF, review reyerses It,"
There can be but one answer to the
question that is brought home to the
people by this strong recommendation
OF President Roosevelt. That question
Is. shall the railroads be required to
submit to the decision on freight rates
! of a governmental tribunal pending an
appeal to the courts, rather than the
shippers being required to submit to
the decision Of the railroads on
freight rates from which there is NO
\ appeal
y The rights and interests of the rail
ways should be safeguarded, but the
general principle Of governmental con
n troll OF transportation rates in the in
y terests of fairness and absolute i'm
partially to ever shipper is settled
and there is no longer a question
about 1t. That the railroad should
and If necessary must, be required to
serve all the public alike without dis
elimination, or partially of any char
acter, is an axiom that no longer re
auires any argument in its behalf.
The Outlook closes an excellent edi
torial upon this subject with the fol
lowing, observation that is well worth
careful thought and consideration.
The Outlook believes that the pub
lie must choose between competition
and regulation as the alternative. We
would have the railroads permitted to
pool their freights, that is, to combine
Aka freight rate. and divide the
treights, and the commission empow
cred to interpose on complaint and re
adjust the freight rate whenever nee
essary to secure justice to the ship
Ders or TO the general public"