New-York tribune., 1905-02-24
OPPOSES RATE BILLS.
StuyUesant Fish Heard Says Presi
dent Suggested a Commission.

Washington. Feb 23-Stuyvesant Fish president
OF the Illinois Central Railroad read a statement
to-day before the Senate Committee on Interstate
Commerce. which has the railroad rate bills under
consideration.
Mr.. Fish gave an exhaustive review of the
changes railway securities have undergone in var-
parts of the country, calling attention particU
larly the great majority Of stock held in the
United States, whereas number of years ago it
was held abroad.
Discussing the Townsend Esch bill he devoted
considerable time the subject of the practical as
we'll the constitutional difficulties that would be
encountered by the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion If IL attempted fix railroad rates according
to the authority given by the bill He said that to
fix equitable rates that would not discriminate in
favor of one port as against another, the commits
sion would have to take into consideration the rail
road rates in Canada and Mexico and the water
rates from ports OF the United States ports
abroad
This cannot be done by the Interstate Commerce
Commission. or any other body OF men," Mr.. Fish
asserted The Congress cannot delegate the
commission authority to fix the water rates on the
ocean except within the three-mile limit"
Are you sure of that?' asked Chairman Elkins.
Perfectly sure of 1T
The chairman asked If it not possible for
the commission II IL had power to fix water rates.
to refuse to allow foreign ships clear IL their
cargOes contained exports that had been billed at
improper rate.
Mr.. Fish replied that the injustice OF holding
entire cargo because part Of il had been taken
at an improper rate could readily be seen. He
said it would offend every nation, and foreign ships
would not come into American ports. He comment
ed al length on the fact that the foreign commerce
conducted in foreign ships and that this coun-
try depended on them
Touching on the subject Of differentals Mr.. Fish
gave practical examples Of the workings Of rates
in various parts Of the country. In answer 10 a
question by Senator Dover he declared that there
truth in the charge that traffic managers
were disposed to build up great communities and
ignore the smaller cities. He said that the m
plants usually came from manufacturing and big
shipping centres. and that undoubtedly these cen
tres prove a magnet 10 the who goes after
the business.
Senator Dolliver called attention to increase
in the lumber rate from Louisiana and Mississippi.
Mr. Fish said that that matter before the
Interstate Commerce Commission and was
fully explained and justified in hearing before
that body. but he did not know what the decision
would be He said If it declared that the
railroad company should reduce the rate the COM
pany would consider whether 1t could afford to take
the business at rate and if il could not the
business would be refused The differences between
the authority under the present laws and the pow
ers of the commission under the bill passed by the
House we're discussed, but Mr.. Fish insisted that
; railroad company could not be compelled to take
business lower rate than il could AFFORD You
Chair5an EIRins called attention 10 the powers
Of the government under the laws g3TeTnng com
could compel a railroad TO carry the business for
while. but II II at a loss IL would put the
road into bankruptcy and then the business would
have to stop. The only alternative would be TO
make up the loss by advancing the rates on other
articles and down the line The law does
contemplate that. The conditions would be-
rapidly worse.
Mr. Fish told OF "A conference he had In January.
1902 with President Roosevelt railroad lesisla-
tion. Chairman Knapp of the Interstate Commerce
Commission was at the conference. and the PTes-
dent was quoted saying that the railroad men
together and prepare some measure that would
he f1ad ils in he ma
agement Of railroad business. The President sug-
gested that commission OF five mer should he
chosen TO represent the railroads. and suggesic Cd
Morton. OF the Atchson. Topeka and Santa Fc;
Hughitt Of the Chicago and Northwestern; Ccs-
satt Of the Pennsylvania Spencer, OF the Soutn-
ern and Ftsh. OF the Illinois Central. as a good
committee ter the railroads 10 name Mr.. Fish