Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-01-13
MORTON ON
RAILWAY RATES
First DiSclaims that lie Writes
AS a Representative Of the
Administration,
WHERE THE TROUBLE LIES.
II is Chiefly With the Relation Of
Rates Between Markets-Fcdcral
Supervision is Necessary

Washington, Jan. a2,-Secy, Norton
secretary Of the navy, and formerly
vice president of the Atchison, Topeka
& Santa Fe railroad, is the author Of an
article on the railway rate question
which viii be published In the outlook
tomorrow. AZ the outset he expressly
disclalms writing as a representative
Of President Roosevelts administration,
and says he speaks merely as one with
somewhat Of experience pertinent to an
important subject.
The secretary, I'm the article, says
there are few complaints against rail-
ronl rates per Sc In the United States;
the chief trouble being with the re-
latlou Of rates as between markets
lie says there are as many rates that
arc too low as th-re are rates which
court would to be too high,
and that either class Of rates may be
equally disastrous to communities, He
expresses the opinion that federal SUI
pervision OF railroad rates is necessary,
but that regulation and protection
should go together
lie says that one Of the three things
following Is sure 10 take place in the
conduct OF our railways:
First--Legall2atio Of pools-the right
of the railroads to make enforceable
contracts between themselves as to n
division Of earnings, 50 that they can
resist the temptations Of big shippers
and be assured a fair share of the
business moving at stable rates which
shall apply alike TO all patrons.
Second-The further unitiCation Of
ownership, thereby delivering In time
the entire railroad ownership of the
country into the hands Of a few indi-
yiduals or one syndicate.
ird-Goyernment ownership, the
worst of the three evils If such they
may be called
IN the opinion Of Mr.. Morton, gov
eminent ownership Of our railroads
would be the beginning Of industrial
and political chaos.
He rather favors the first proposition,
with adequate provision to assure rates
being reasonable
As to pending legislation Mr., Morton
favors the continuance of the inter-
state commerce commission I'm substan-
TALLY It's present form, saying
Let It go on making Investigations
and findings II it finds a. rate is un-
reasonable (either too high or too low
everything else being considered), let
II order such rates as II deems reason-
able, and II the railroads do not make
them effective In 80 days, then the en-
tire matter to be referred TO "a cen-
trail court Of transportation OF, say
three or five members, TO be created TO
especially consider and expedite all
questions of interstate commerce so far
as the transportation of the country is
concerned, II being understood that this
central court shall have power TO adj
judiCate I'm all such cases, except those
involving constitutional questions; and
the findings Of this court in interstate
matters 10 be final.
II would urge severe punishments for
railroad or steamboat lines engaged in
interstate commerce which by any de-
vice protected rebates, commissions or
H. any way afforded preferential rates
and the punishment should be just as
severe to shippers or commission agents
seeking or receiving them. | would
permit the railroads to divide their
earnings or tonnage among themselves
filing all such agreements with the In
terstate commerce commission for its
information, and | would make these
contracts enforceable MS between rail.
roads.
81 would do this as assurance 20 the
small shippers securing the lowest rate
and as a protection TO the transporta-
ton against the vast tonnage and con-
sequent temptation offered by the big
shippers, which 80 frequently have been
used to secure inside rates II these
contracts were Illegal or against pub
lie policy or unreasonably In restraint
Of trade, then let them be reviewed by
the same court of commerce.
II would favor, even II 1t were neces-
sary to have a constitutional amend
ment To accomplish It, the declara-
tion that all transportation by railways
hereafter Is TO be considered interstate
commerce and subject only to federal
supervision, thereby relieving the states
Of this prerogative and establishing
one central regulator--the federal
power,
81 would make It Impossible for 9TH
ers than those directly interested as
shippers or commercial bodies to bring
suits for action under the interstate
commerce act
II would favor an agitation and shap-
ing Of public opinion that would not
tolerate such thing as preferential
rate and would make It equally dis
agreeable to grant or receive It. The
presidents message on this subject
meets the Views of all good citizens,
whether engaged in railroading or ship
ping