Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-12-08

In an attempt to secure the enforce
ment of the antitrust laws, the effect
has more of a moral character than
of practical result.
The chief abuse is over-capitaliza-
ton, generally itself the result Of dis
honest promotion. 1t means imitation
and invites business panics. It is ruin
thrift and encourages gambling. Worst
Of all is the thickness and dishonesty
which it implies. Harm to morals Is
worse than any possible harm to ma
terial interests.
Railway Rate Supervision.
The government must have supervis-
ion of rates of transportation. Rebates
must be stopped.
The supervisory power should be
given to some administrative body
created by congress. If given to the
interstate commerce commission such
commission should be made unequiv.
ocally administrative.
There should be minimum of tariff
"tinkering." Especially should there
be an entire absence of tariff operat.
ing for or against any state or person.
Commercial treaties with foreign ma.
tions are highly desirable.
In case of discrimination of any ship
per. the commission should have the
power to fix the already established
minimum rate as the maximum. II
would need only one or two such decis.
ions to cure railroads of the practice
of giving improper minimum rates.
1t is not intended that the commits
sion shall have the power to initiate
rates, but to regulate a rate already
fixed. A heavy penalty should be pro
the commission.
rate is the essential; unless it Is Sc
cured, there is little use of touching
the subject at all.
The big shipper is equally to blame
with the railroads. Shippers are Otter
told by railroads to buy large quaint
ties Of certain commodity. Their
the railroad announces a reduction tt
take effect Immediately thus stiflin,
all competition. Rebates of all forms
concessions, free passes, reduced pas
senger rates, etc., should be made II
legal.
Consideration might be given to tn,
plan of comforting on the government
the right to bring actions against tn
beneficiaries of rebates for at leas
twice the value of the rebate; thi
would tend to stop what is really black
mail.
Elevator allowances should be stoI
ped.
The best possible regulation of rate
can be secured by honest agreemen
among railroads themselves, but tn
commission should have supervision
over such agreements. However,
may be inadvisable to take up thi
phase of the matter at this time. Tn
vital need is the power vested in tn
government to fix a maximum rate
subject to review by the courts.
Private car lines, industrial roads
refrigerator charges and the lik
should be put under the supervisor
of the interstate commerce commi:
sion. The misuse Of these devices
as pernicious as rebates in othe
forms.
There should be publicity of the a.
counts Of common carriers. The book
should be open to inspection by tn
government at all times.
Agreements as to transpOrtatiO
within a state intended to operate a
a fraud upon the federal law shoul
be under the Jurisdiction of the con
mission.
Expeditions action is the prime e'
sential. Delay is now the most TO
midable weapon in the hands of thOs
who would violate the law
Many of the railroads are willin
to be honest. They are at the mere
of those who are not. GOvernmeE
| supervision will give all an equs
chance.
This government stands for maj
hood first and for business only as a
adjunct of manhood. Therefore ther
is high moral responsibility restin
on the railroads and the big shipper
as well as the public.
The question of transportation lie
at the root Of all industrial success
but there must be a recognition Of tn
, principle of equal rights. The sma
town should be accorded the sam
privileges as the big city.
1t is not the intention to indicat
, to congress the exact terms Of the Law
but it's most important provision
. competent administrative body tn
power to decide whether a railrOa
. rate is just; If unjust, then to pr
: scribe the limit of rate beyond whic
it shall be unlawful to go-the max
y mum reasonable rate. This decisio
. should go into effect within reasol
able time and obtain subject to r
view by the courts.
The railroad is the highway of cor
merce of today and it must be keI
. open to all on equal terms.
Under proper supervision there
no need of public ownership of raj
= roads; they can render better servit
. when conducted by private indivi
= uals.
The men composing any supervi
:. ory body must be possessed of tf
- highest probity; they must be we
paid. Otherwise such men cannot
secured.
The block signal system should
established on all roads. The law pr
viding for safety appliances has bee
?. successful in its operation.
y The hours of labor for trainmen ar
=. other railroad employees engaged
- similar service should be limited
law
n American citizenship should be CO
n ferred upon the inhabitants Of Por
" Rico.
In general there should be an
q increased liberality in the treatme
n of the whole insular franchise que
t. tion.