The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1905-12-06
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
of Chief Executive on Rate Ques-
ion=--Reterati0n OF Well Known Arguments
in Favor OF Fuller Powers for Commission
GETTING AROUND THE LAW.

GETTING AROUND THE Law.
Illegal transactions often occur under
the forms Of law. 1t has often occurred
that shipper has been told by traffic
officer to buy a large quantity Of some
commodity and then after it has been
bought an open reduction is made in the
rate to take effect Immediately. the ar
rangement resulting to the profit Of the
one shipper and the one railroad and TO
the damage of all other competitors: for
it must not be forgotten that the dig
as any railroad in the matter of rebates.
The law should make it clear SO tnat
any kind of commission paid on freight
shipments, whether in this form or IN
the form of FICTITIOUS DAMAGES. OK
OF A CONCESSION. A FREE PASS,
REDUCED PASSENGER RATE. Or
1,AYMENT OF BROKERAGE. Is LIZ
LEGAL. 1t is worth while considering
whether it would not be wise to confer
or the government the right of civil ac-
ZION against the beneficiary of a rebate
for at least twice the value of the re-
bate; this would help stop what is really
plackmail Elevator allowances should
De stopped for they have now grown to
such an extent that they are demoraiiz-
ing and are used as rebates.
- ,,.rna.nC xuEpr InNE.Sr
The best possible regulation of rates
would, of course. be that regulation Sc
cured by an honest agreement among the
railroads themselves to carry out the
Jaw Such a general agreement would
for instance. at once put stop TO tne
efforts of any one big shipper or pig lail-
road to discriminate against or secure
advantages over some rival, and such
agreement would make the railfo;ris
The power vested in the government
20 put stop to agreements to the detri-
ment of the public shou'c, in my j1ds-
ment, be accompanied oy power to per-
init, under specified conditions and care
ul supervision, agreements clearly in the
interest of the public. But, in my luos-
ment. the necessity for giving this rus :
ther power is by no means as great Is
the necessity for giving the eo'nmls SION
or administrative body rns other po"sfs
/ have enumerated above; AMI 1t may
well be inadvisable to attempt to vest this
particular power In the commission CT
other administrative body until u already
possesses and is exercising what regard
as by far the most imo, tans OF ala the
powers / recommend-as indeed the VI
tally important power-that to fx given
maximum rate. which rate. after the
lapse Of a reasonable time. goes into full
effect. subject to review by the courts.
AL private car lines. industrial roads.
refrigerator charges and the like should
be expressly put under the supervision
OF the Interstate Commerce Commission
or some similar body SO far as rates. ana
agreements practically affecting rates.
are concerned. The private car owners
and the owners of Industrial railroads are
entitled to a fair and reasonable COM
pensation on their investment. but neither
private cars nor Industrial railroads nor
spur tracks should be utilized as devices
for securing preferential rates. A rebate
in icing charges or in mileage. or In a
division of the rate for refrigeratins
charges Is just as pernicious as a rebate
in any other way. No lower rate should
apply on goods imported than actually
obtains on domestic goods from the
American seaboard to destination except
in cases where water competition Is the
controlling influence.
PUBLICITY IN ACCOUNTS.
There should DO publicity OF the ac-
counts of common carriers: no common
carrier engaged In interstate business
CONTINUED on Fourth Pas<)