The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-19

of rates, but it Is obviously impossible for the various railway companies throughout the United States to carry on their business and to serve the public unless their officers can meet and reach an understanding upon mat ters of common interest. It is practi- cally impossible for the railway com panies to establish schedules of rates to the satisfaction of the community If their traffic officials cannot from time to time meet and reach an under standing as to what the schedules shall be. They should be permitted to do this necessary act without running the risk of becoming criminals under the Sherman act"
 Senator Foraker asked why water lines should be subjected to interstate commerce regulations.
 '"To prevent rebates and discrimina- tions," replied MT. Morowitz.
 whenever you put the water lines under government control" remarked Senator Cullom. you will put ra,es up on railroads everywhere. water lines regulate railroad rates"
 Mir Morowitz said that carriers now get together and discuss rates: Tt might be called a combination" he said, among the railroad men,"
 That is in violation of tho law" remarked Senator Elkins.
 "Yes," replied MT. MorowitZ
 They violate the law every day" remarked Senator Elkins.
 Chairman Elkins asked if the law should be changed so that it would be impossible to charge more for short haul than a long haul.
 Would Be Revolutionary.
 Tt would be revolutionary for the railroads" replied MT. Morowitz. Tt would compel the railroads to give up the long haul business, especially the Pacific coast business"
 In answer to a question of Senator Elkins MT. Morowitz said that foreign lines engaging partially in United States commerce should be subject to United States control the same as roads in the United States. Mir Elkins suggested that they could and would be reached by this government.
 Senator Elkins asked if 1t would be well to have the railroad presidents and traffic managers under oath make report every three months to the government that their roads had not violated the law.
 "It would not be practical" said Mir. Morowitz. "rimid and honest presi- dents would not accept places under these conditions"
 Senator Foraker asked a number of questions relative to differenttals for different ports and MT. MorowitZ said that if Congress or a Commission fixed a rate in favor of one point that did not have natural advantages that such action would be in the nature Of preventing discrimination against such ports as was the case now by the ac- tion of the railroads. As number of Senators desired to ask Mir. Morowitz questions he was requested to be pres ent tomorrow at II o'clock, to which hour the Committee adjourned
 Senator Morgans statement submit ted yesterday has been printed for the use of the Committee. The Alabama Senator makes quite an elaborate re- view of the rights of the States and the general government relative to transportation companies. Tn the course of his remarks he says;
 Congress can confer Jurisdiction on the Interstate Commerce Commission or any other governing body to legis- late as to rates or any other matter that concerns the relations of common carriers to the public in all cases where such carriers are within the cx- elusive Jurisdiction or Congress.
 T see no difficulty in empowering the Interstate Commerce Commission to enact regulations for the control of the dealings of railroad corporati ohs with the public in their capacity as common carriers when the States that created them have surrendered such right of control and Congress chooses to accept that du'y.'