The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-07-14
RAILROADS CLAIM
RATE MOVES OYER.
Declare Roosevelt Has Flopped' Z
But the Efforts for Reform
Go On.
Special to The Journal,

Go On.
Special to The Journal.
Washington, July l4.--Within the
last few weeks confidential circulars
have been sent out by the agents of
the great transportation companies, IN,
forming their subordinates that the agi-
tation for reform in railroad rates has
been successfully stopped, and if the
railroad interests are properly guarded
from now until the regular session of
congress, it can be asserted that no
legislation unfavorable to the railroads
will be passed.
passed in the house last spring, it was
well understood that it was to be only
a foundation for much more radical
legislation in the future. The railroad
companies became interested at once
and organized an excellent press bu-
reau, and ever since that time it has
been supplying arguments, it is under
stood, against the position taken by
La Toilette, Deneen, Cummins, Van
SAINT and other western governors, who
represent, more than anyone else, the
Interstate Commerce Law league.
Delay Sought by Roads.
Delay was the only thing asked for
by the railroad companies. They were
mortally afraid action would be taken
at the last session Of congress, or an
extra session would be called to meet
early in the spring. When they Sc
cured an agreement from the president
that he would rot call congress in extra
session before October, and possibly not
at all, the railroad managers believed
10 II 10 ho1 Z r.
The reports just sent out to their
subordinates seem to- indicate they con-
slider they have anticipated all unfa-
yorable legislation. During the sum-
mer various schemes have been sug-
gested under the direction of the vari-
GUS railroad managers, all of them de-
ylsed Tor the express purpose of hav-
ing the new rates fixed by the inter
state commerce commission held in
allegiance until reviewed by the fed
eral court. The phraseology is differ
exactly what, if worked out, would be
the case under the present law as inter
preted by the courts. IL
Commission Tied Up.
The interstate commerce commission
today has authority to declare what is
a reasonable rate for freight and pas
sengers. 1t has no authority whatso.
ever for enforcing that rate Even if
it is right, it must wait for months
or even years, until proper federal
has acted in the interests Of the public
BY that time, in many cases, the origi
nal reasons for the creation of the new
rate have disappeared, and on that &C
count the interstate commerce commits
sion is prevented from prosecuting 9
great majority Of cases it actually orr
CLIMATES. -. - ~
There seems to be no reason in the
world why the shipper should be the
man to suffer from an improper rate
imposed by the Interstate commerce
| of the newborn schemes for modify
ing the Esch-Townsend bill are baset
on that theory, that rate should bt
maintained in the interests of railroad
| for months and years until it finally
is upset by the supreme court Of thu
United States. This is the condition
at present, and it is the condition
against which shippers have protested
generally. s@I
Say President Has Changed.
Various railroad managers who toda.
are contributing money for the supper
Of an independent press bureau Whic]
is endeavoring to influence public opin
ion have sent out confidential advice
to practically every large railroad il
the United States to the effect that tn
president has 'tchanged his foot, ,
and he is no longer convinced Of tn
necessity Of railroad rate legislation
along the lines he laid down so success
fully in his annual message to congress
last December.
It openly is claimed by other rail
road officials that they have succeeded
president and there will be no legis
1ation in the direction of the absolut,
regulation Of railroad rates at the mex
session Of congress.
Still Back Of Bacon.
Misleading statements have been sen
forth by the railroad press bureau t
the effect that chambers Of commerc
and various organizations of shipper
have Hgone back" on E. P. Bacon
special representative Of the Interstat
understood that there is nothing what
soever in the statement, altho it ha
been given publicity in a number o
newspapers.
!. The only trouble is the railroad
l have been busy all summer endeavo1
ing to create condition Of public sentl
ment, while the actual shippers-th
mon who in the long run would infu
ence legislation.-hav been negligen
to their own interest and have don
4 practically nothing to continue tn
campaign for railroad rate Legislation
4 which was inaugurated SO successfully
\ last winter.
Gall from the West Needed.
It is true there will be no regulation
of railroad rates by any new act o
congress unless the shippers associs
tions, the western legislatures and SUI
porters Of the president generally tax
immediate action. The railroads hav
been exceedingly clever in their tactics
They have made it appear to the salts
i faction of a great many members O
congress that public sentiment ha