The Washington times., 1905-12-11
Labor Party Pioneer
In Rate Movement
Union Reform Party Favored Legislation on
Railroad Charges Over Thirty Years AGO.
Other Political Factions Followed.

In view Of the widespread interest
In the question Of Government regula-
ton OF railroad rates. review OF the
utterances Of the national platforms of
the several parties on this subject dur
ing the last forty years is not aniss.
The question as TO which party is to
be credited with having originally es-
posed the principle that railroad rates
should be subjected to governmental
scrutiny and regulation. has been argu-
ed pro and con. but the records which
answer il conclusively have not been
brought forth in the discussion Facts.
not opinions. are of primary interest in
this connection. hence. the following
citations are given without comment.
Labor Party Leads
The first declaration OF any party on
the subject of railroad rates is found
in the national platform adopted BY the
Union Labor Reform national conven-
ton of 1872. as follows
1T is the duty OF the Government to
exercise its power over railroads and
telegraph corporations, that they shall
not IN any case be privileged TO exact
such rates OF freight. transportation. or
charges. by whatever name. as may
bear unduly or unequalIy upon the pro-
ducer or consumer
In the platform adopted by the Green
back national convention Of 1880 the
following is found:
lit is the duty of Congress to regIl-
late interstate commerce. All lines OF
communication and transportation
should be brought under such Ieeisla-
tive control as shall secure moderate
and freight traffic.
The Autobiography convention of 1884
declared:
That il is the duty of the Govern
ment TO Immediately exercise its con-
stltuuOnal DrerOgative TO regulate COM
merce among the States The great in
StruInents Dy which this commerce Is
carried on are transporta ton money
and the transmission of intelligence.
They are now mercilessly controlled by
giant monopolies TO the impoverish-
healthful competition. and the destruc-
ton OF business security We hold IT.
therefore. TO be the imperative and i'm
mediate duty of Con~resS TO PASS ali
need1ul laws for the control and regII-
ldtICn Of these great agerts OF COM
McTce- in accordance with the oft-re-
peated decisions OF the ~-preme Court
OF the United States
Republicans Follow Suit.
The Republican national convention Of
1Sq in its platform. sad:
The principle of public regulation OF
railway corporations : wise and
saldtaTy one for the protection OF all
classes Of people; and We favor Iegis-
iation that shall prevent unjust dis
transportation. and that shall secure to
the people and the railways alike the
falr and equal protection OF the law
For Government Ownership.
In 1888 the United States Labor party
declared for Government ownership in
the following:
We wish TO abolish the present un-
just and wasteful system OF ownership
Of railroads and telesTaphs By private
corporations system which. while
failing TO supply adequately public
need. imDOverishes the farmer, oppres-
ses the manufacturer, hampers the
merchant impedes travel and communi-
cation. and builds up enormous fortunes
ana corrupting monopoues that are be-
coming more powerful than the Govern
meut itself. For this system we would
SuDsutute Government ownership and
control for the benefit Of the whole
people instead Of private profit %
Inc Republicans in their national plat
form Of 1888 said.
We declare our opposition to an com
binauons of capital. organized in trusts
or otherwise, 10 control arbitrarily the
condition of trade among Our cffizeDs-
and we recommed TO Congress ana The
state Legislatures in their respective
jurisdictions. such legislation as viii |
prevent the execution of all schemes to
oppress the people by undue charg on |
their supplies. or by unjust rates for /
the transportation OF their products TO |
market We approve the legislation bv |
Congress to prevent alike unjust bur
dens and unfair Determinations between /
the States.
Populists Heard From.
The Populists' platform of 1882 de-
clared:
Transportation being a means of ex-
change and public necessity. the Gov
ernment should own and operate the /
railroads in the interest of the people" ." J
Democrats Make Declaration.
In 1896 the Democrats made their first /
rational declaration on the subject. as /
follows
The absorption Of wealth by the few.
the consolidation of our leading railroad /
systems. and the formation OF trusts \
and pools. require a Stricter control by |
the Federal Government of these ar
teries Of commerce. We demand the 1
enlargement OF the powers of the inter
state Commerce Commission and such
restriction and guarantees in the control 1
Of railroads As viii protect the people |
from robbery ard oppression"
The PopulisJs. in their national Mat
form of 1856. SAID:
''TranSpOrtatiCn being a means OF ex-
change and Il public necessity. the Gov
eruplaur ShOuld own aud