The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1905-07-06
RAILROAD LEGISLATION.
Made Subject Of Strong Resolutions
By Railway Conductors.

Made Subject Of Strong Resolutions
BY Railway Conductors.
Whereas, the Congress of the Unit
ed States will have before it at the
coming session the question of addi-
tional legislation affecting the Amer
ican railways, employing 100000 peo-
pie. therefore be it, by TIE Order OF
Railway Conductors, in h'Hnnial con-
yention assembled,
Resolved, That we hereby endorse
the attitude Of President Roosevelt in
condemning secret rebates and other
illegalities, and commend the attitude
of the heads of the American rail
ways, who, with practical unanimity,
have Joined with the president on
this question, and be it further
Resolved, That We respectfully rep
resent to congress the inadvisability
Of legislation vesting in the hands
of a commission power over railway
rates, now lower by far in the United
States than in any other country;
that this low cost of transportation
is the result Of the efficiency OF Amer
ican railway management and opera
tion, which. have built up the country
through constant improvement in ser.
vice and development OF territory,
while at the same time recognition has
been given to the value of intelli-
gence among employees, in contrast to
foreign methods where high freight
rates and lowest wages for employees
obtain: that the freight rates of this
country average only two per cent OF
the cost of articles to the consumer,
thus making the freight rate an in
significant factor in the. selling price,
numerous standard articles being sold
at the same price in all parts Of the
country; and be it further
Resolved, That regulation Of rates
bv a government body would, in the
opinion of this convention, result in
litigation and confusion, and inevitably
tend to an enforced reduction OF rates
irrespective Of the question OF the
ability Of the railroads to stand the
reduction, especially In view OF the IN
creased cost Of their supplies and ma
terials, and be it further,
Resolved, That the proposed leglsia'
ton is not in harmony with our 1oea
of the spirit Of American jurisprud-
ence, inasmuch as it contemplates
that single body shall have the right
to investigate, indict, try and con-
denim and then enforce its decisions
at the cost of the carriers, pending
appeal, which is manifestly inequlta'
BILE: and that if there is to be leglsla'
tion on this subject it should be such
as would secure and insure justice ana
equity, and preserve equal rights Tor
all parties concerned, but IN view OF
the facts legislation affecting rates IS
not called for at this time, and would
be inadvisable, and be 1t further
Resolved, That this convention fnds
itself in accord with President Roose-
velt, who, in a massage to congress
has said: sIt must not be forgotten
that our railways are the arteries
through which the commercial ll1e'
blood of this nation flows. Notnlng
could be more foolish than the enact
ment Of legislation, which would IN
terfere with the development and op'
Grafton of these commercial agen'
cies.' \
The above resolutions were adopted
nv the thirtieth session Of the grand
division Of the Order of Railway Con-
ductors of America in convention as
sembled at Portland, Oregon, on May
10Th 1908, and it was ordered that a
conv he sent to each member OF the
United States senate and OF the
house of representatives, as well as
"a The interstate commerce commits
sion.
Attest:
Isuned> E. E. CLARK,
Grand Chief Conductor o. of R. c.
fsigned) A. J. MAXWELL.
Grand Secretary aid Treasurer y. u
R. e.