New-York tribune., 1905-01-13
PAUL MORTON'S VTEWS.
Hoe He Would SoIOe the Rate
Problem.

Washington, Jan 12-Paul Morton Secretary
OF the Navy and formerly vice-president OF the
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Com
pany, is the author OF an article on the railway
rate question. which will be published in THE
Outlook tomorrow. he expressly disclaims
writing a representative of President Roose-
velt's administration. and says he speaks merely
with a somewhat extensive experience
on an important subject. He says there are few
complaints against railroad rates per sc In the
United States. the chief trouble being with
the relation of rates between markets"
he says there many rates that are too
low there which a court would decide
to be too high and that either class may be
equally disastrous TO communities. He ex-
presses the opinion that federal supervision OF
railroads is necessary. but adds that regulation
and protection should go together. He says
that one of the three things following is sure
TO take place in the conduct Of railways:
First-Legalization of pools; the right of the
railroads to lake enforceable contracts between
themselves TO q division OF earnings, so that
they can resist the temptations of big shippers
and be assured a fair share of the business NOV
Ing az stable rates which shall apply alike TO all
patrons
second-The further unification of ownership.
thereby delivering In time the entire railway
ownership Of the country into the hands OF a few
individuals or one syndicate.
Third-Government ownership. the worst OF
the three evils" IL such they may be called.
In the opinion of Mr.. Morton government
ownership of railroads would be the beginning
Of industrial and political chaos. He rather
favors the first proposition, with adequate pro-
vision to assure rates being reasonable.
AS to pending legislation. Mr.. Morton favors
the continuance of the Interstate Commerce
Commission in substantially it's present form,
saying:
Let it go ON making Investigations and find
ings: II it finds rate is unreasonable (either
too high or too low. everything else being con-
sidered), let ii order such rates as 1t deems
sonable, and IL the railroads do not make them
effective in thirty days then the entire matter
TO be referred TO a central court Of transporta-
ton, OF, say, three or five members, TO be Gre
ated especially TO consider and expedite all
questions OF interstate commerce, so far as tie
transportation Of the country Is concerned it
being understood that this central court shall
have power TO adjudcate in all such cases ex-
cept those involving constitutional questions;
and the findings OF this court in interstate mat
ters TO be final
1 would urge severe pupishments for railroads
or steamboat lines engaged in interstate COM
merce which by any device paid rebates com
missions or in any way afforded preferential
rates and the punishment should be just as
severe TO shippers or commission agents seeking
or receiving them I would permit the railroads
to divide their earnings or tonnage among them
selves, filing all such agreements with the Inter
state Commerce Commission for its information.
and L would make these contracts enforceable
as between the railroads. would do this
insurance to the small shippers securing the
lowest rate, and as a protection to the trans
portation lines against the vast tonnage and
consequent temptation offered by the big ship
pers which frequently have been used to Sc
cure inside rates If these contracts were illegal
or against public policy, unreasonably in re-
straint Of trade. then let them be reviewed by
the same court OF commerce.
1 would favor. even if it were necessary to
have constitutional amendment TO accomplish
1t, the declaration that all Transportation by
rail was hereafter 10 be considered Interstate
commerce and subject only to federal super
vision, thereby relieving the States OF this pre-
rogative and establishing one central regulation,
the federal power.
would make II impossible for others than
those directly interested shippers or CONNER
cial bodies TO bring suit for action under the
Interstate Commerce act.
1 would favor agitation and shaping of
public opinion that would not tolerate such a
thing as preferential rate and would make it
equally disagreeable to grant or receive it. The
Presidents Message this subject meets the
tiews of all good citizens. whether engaged in
railroading shipping.