The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-17
RAILROAD NEWS.
Secretary Paul Morton to Assist
President Roosevelt.
In Cabinet for Purpose Of Ad-
Vising in Railway Matters.
MAKES SUGGESTIONS.
Create Interstate Commerce
Court With Three Judges.
Decisions Final-NO Appeal to
Supreme Court.
MAKES SUGGESTIONS.

Secretary Paul Morton, who has
consented to remain in President
Roosevelt's cabinet for at least one
year for the especial purpose of en-
deavoring to secure interstate COM
merce legislation fair alike to the ship
ping public and the railroads, has au-
thorized me to present the outlines of
his plan, which, with the consent of
President Roosevelt, he will urge upon
the leaders in congress and the pr1n-
cipal railway men of the country.
This highly important and promis-
ing plan of compromise embraces the
following features:
l. Government supervision of inter-
state rates, through the interstate
commerce commission, ON complaint
OF unreasonable charge.
2. Authorization in law of equit-
able apportionment of railway earn
ings=in other words, legalized pool
ing.
g. The establishment of a central
interstate commerce court composed
of, say, three or five members, sitting
at Washington, with final jurisdiction,
save that, of course, the right of ap-
peal may lie when questions of con-
stitutional Interpretation are raised by
either party.
4. Instead of having the rate de-
creed reasonable by the interstate
commerce commission go into effect
Immediately, subjecting the railroads
case some time afterward the court re-
verses the commissions findings, it is
provided that when a rate complained
of is set aside by the commission and
another substituted the railroad may
still go on charging the original rate
by filing a bond securing to shippers
a refund in case the court finally up
holds the commission
5. The prohibition by law of all
private freight cars, private sidetracks
and terminals, compelling interstate
carriers to afford such facilities to all
alike.
This is the most important question
now pending before the American peo-
ple.'' says Secretary Morton, "and every
business man and every citizen ShouIQ
give ii careful attention One reason
why dare hope 1 may be of some ser
vice in this connection is because have
been a railroad man all my life and
have carefully studied this problem.
Though a railroad man, for years
have preached that the railway mana
gers should show more willingness to
consider the rights of the public; that
they should stop trying to manipulate
politics and parties and legislation; that
they should not set their faces against
any reasonable effort to introduce re-
forms and government supervision
Some railroad men of my acquaintance
think an attempt to introduce govern
ment supervision of rates is a mischiev-
Gus and meddlesOme impertinence. They
TO tight the movement to the last ditch.
But that is absurd in this day and gen
Grafton. These men are behind the
times In many states boards of rail-
road commissioners fix the rates and
the roads comply with their DEGREES. 1t
is simply ridiculous to assert that the
federal government has not the power
to do with interstate commerce what
the states may do with traffic within
their borders. Personally wish all
traffic could be declared interstate, and
the rates be supervised by the federal
government.
There is no occasion for any frenzied
finance in Wall street or elsewhere over
the recommendations which the presi-
dent made in his message. There is no
reason why the great fnancierS of New
York who stand behind the big railway
corporations should become alarmed
They ought to thank their lucky stars
that we have in the White House a
president who insists that they shall
have fair play, that there shall be
square deal all around. The president
does not wish. to work any injustice to
the railroad Industry He is not en-
poIations. But he is right, eternally
right, in his declaration that reforms
OF method are needed, and they are
needed as much by the railroads them
selves as by the people. My experience
has shown me that the most harm done
TO the railroads in this country Is done
by themselves.
president Roosevelt is not welded to
any particular method of securing the
desired reform. All he wants is results,
progress, greater equity 70 all concern
ed. As a railroad man 1 say at this