New-York tribune., 1905-01-31
CONTROL OF RAILROADS.


The principles which Lincoln applied to the
solution Of the problems of his day are those
which We must apply if we expect successfully
10 solve the different problems of our own day
problems which are so largely Industrial EX-
actiy as it is impossible to develop high mo-
ralIty unless We have as foundation those
Qualities which give at least certain minimum
OF material prosperity so 1t is impossible per
manently to keep material prosperity unless
there is back of it a basis of right living and
right thinking. In the last analysis, of course
the dominant factor in obtaining this good con-
duct must be the individual character of the
average citizen. If there is not this condition
of individual character in the average citizen
ship of the country all effort to supply its place
by the wisest legislation and administration will
III the end prove futile. But given this average
or individual character, then wise laws and the
honest administration of the laws can do much
to supplement it, If either the business world
or the world of labor loses its head then it has
Iosl @ something which cannot be made good py
any governmental effort. Our faith in the future
OF the Republic is firm because we believe that
on the whole and in the long run. our people
thlnk clearly and act rightly.
GOVERNMENTAL SUPERVISION
Unquestionably, however. the great develop
Ilei!l OF industrialism means that there must be
an increase IN the supervision exercised by the
government over business enterprises. This su-
peINiSioh should not take the form of violent
and Ill advised interference; and assuredly there
is Danger lest 1t take such form if the business
Ieaoers of the business community conf1ne them
selves to trying to thwart the effort at regula-
toh instead of guiding it Alright. Such men
as the members of this club should lead in the
effort to secure proper supervision and regua-
ton OF corporate activity by the government,
not only because it is for the interest Of the
community a whole that there should be this
supervision and regulation, but because in the
long run it will be in the interest above all of
the very people who often betray alarm and
anger when the proposition is first made.
Neither this people nor any other free people
VIII permanently tolerate the use of the vast
power conferred by vast wealth, and es-
pecially by wealth in its corporate FORM with
out lodging somewhere in the government the
still higher power of seeing that this power, in
addition to being used in the interest of the in
dividual or individuals possessing it, is also
used for and not against the interests of the
people as whole. Our peculiar form of govern
ment a government in which the nation is su-
preme throughout the Union in certain respects
while each of nearly half a hundred States is
supreme in its part Of the Union in certain other
respects, renders the task of dealing with these
conditions especially difficult. No finally salts
factory result can be expected from merely
State action The action must come through the
federal government. The business of the coun-
try is now carried on in way Of which the
bility have had any idea.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE NATIONAL
All great business concerns are engaged in in
terstate commerce, and it was beyond question
the intention of the founders of our government
that interstate commerce in all its branches and
aspects should be under national and not State
control. If the courts decide that this inten-
ton was not carried out and made effective in
the Constitution il stands, then, in the
end, the Constitution, if not construed different
ly, will have to be amended so that the original
undoubted intention may be made effective.
But, Of course, q Constitutional amendment is
only to be used last resort if every effort OF
legislation and administration shall have been
proved inadequate.
Meanwhile the men in public life and the
men who direct the great business interests of
the country should work not in antagontsm but
in harmony toward this given end. In entering
field where the progress must of necessity be
so largely experimental IT is essential that the
effort to make progress should be tentative and
cautious. We must grow by evolution, not by
revolution. There must be no hurry, but there
fola< hoT h-1T. RI,Oro orrIo
that there should be sudden and violent
changes must remember that precisely these
sudden and violent changes will be rendered
likely If we refuse to make the needed changes
In cautious and moderate manner
At the present moment the greatest need is
for an increase in the power Of the national gov
ernment to keep the great highways of COM
merce open alike to all on reasonable and equita-
BILE terms. Less than century ago these high
ways were still. as they have been since the
dawn Of history, either waterways, natural
artificial, or else ordinary roads for wheel
hicles drawn by animal power The railroad
which was utterly unknown when our govern
ment was formed and when the great principles
of our Jurisprudence were laid down, has
become almost everywhere the most important
and in many large regions the only form of
highway for commerce. The man who controls
its cannot be permitted to control it in his
own interest alone.
1t is not only just, but it is in the interest of
the public, that this man should receive the
amplest payment for the masterful business
capacity which enables him to benefit himself
while benefting the public; but In return he
must himself recognize his duty to the public
He will not and not do this If our laws
so defective that in the sharp competition of
the business world the conscientious is put
at a disadvantage by his less scrupulous fell
lows.
NATIONAL CONTROL OF RAILROADS.
It is in the interest of the conscientious and
public spirited railway man that there should
be such governmental supervision of the rail-
way traffic Of the country to require from his
less scrupulous competitors, and from unscrupu-
need
welfare which he himself would willingly give
and which IS of vital consequence to the small
shipper. Every important railroad is engaged
in interstate commerce. Therefore, this control
the railroads must come through the ma
tional government
The control must be exercised by gov
ernmental tribunal, and it must be real and
effective. Doubtless there will be risk that
occasionally, If unfit President is elected.
this control will be abused: but this is only
other way of saying that any adequate govern
down. can and will be abused If the wrong men
get control of it,
the two Houses Of Congress-: but about the prin-
ciple there can be no doubt. Hasty or vindic-
tive action would merely work damage; but In
temperate, resolute fashion T. there must be
lodged in some tribunal the power over rates,
and especially rebates-whether secured
by means of private cars, of private tracks, in
the form of damages. or commissions or In any
other manner-which will protect alike the rail-
road and the shipper. and put the big shipper
and the little shipper an on equal footing.
Doubtless no law would accomplish all that
enthusiasts hope; there is always disappoint-
rnent over the results of such law among the
oversanguine; but very real and marked good
has come from the legislation and administra-
ton of the last few years: and now. as part or
a coherent plan. ii is entirely possible and, in
deed, necessary, to enact an additional law which
will mean further progress along the same lines
of definite achievement in the direction Of Sc
curing fair dealing as between man and man.
POWER TO PROTECT ALL.