The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-25
RAILROADS FAVOR
RATE REVISION
BUT PRESIDENTS DON'T KNOW
HOW TO GET IT.
Summary of Their Declarations Indi-
Gates that They Are Ready for Some
Action-All Think Period Of Great
Prosperity for the Railroads Is at
Hand.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal.
New York, Jan. 25.-The opinion of
the big railroad men of the United
States on prosperity is generally worth
getting. A great many of them have
expressed themselves recently on pre-
valling conditions in their, respective
territories, on the future of their rail
roads, and more or less about rate reg
ulation by the government. 80. -
Briefly, railroad opinion may be sum-
married. as follows:
j. j. Hill, Great Northern-Opposed
strongly to regulation Of rates by the
government; opposed to pooling OF traf-
tic by the railroads on the ground that
, it would not pay; thinks the traffic
situation in the north at present fairly
good; optimistic as to the future in
general, particularly as concerns trans
Pacific trade and the business situa-
ton in his own country; urges strong
ly the removal of the tariff on coal;
rather thinks Mr.. Roosevelt an ass.
A. J. Cassatt, Pennsylvania-Belie
the government must do something at
this Session toward regulating rates to
meet the demand of the people; favors
strongly the election of court of revi-
sion; believes the railroads should be
allowed to pool traffic; is of the opin
ion that the business of the trunk lines
has only begun to develop and that
the immense expenditures of cash on
his lines will be justified in five years
or less; is an optimist on the country
at large. >s. -
E. II. Hartman, Union Pacific, South
ern Pacific, etc.-Opposed to govern
ment meddling in rates; is disposed to
stand off and let the row settle itself;
approves Of pooling traffic; believes
that the country is on the beginning
OF a great business revival.
E. P. Ripley, Santa Fe-Unalterably
opposed to the government plan of Civ
ing the interstate commerce commits
sion power to regulate rates; would
like to see rebates abolished; looks for
high prosperity in the southwest for
the next few years and is ready to
spend $50,000,000 in meeting it.
B. L. Winchell, Rock Handicapped
to the interstate commerce commission,
wants to see regulation for the elimina-
ton of Irregularities, but does not see
try is going to be exceedingly prosper
GUS and that western railroads will see
their greatest prosperity in the next
few years.
B. F. Yoakum, Frisco-The country is
not ready for the government super
vision of rates, believes the railroads
are gradually working of their own &C:
irregularities, and to cheaper rates;
thinks the west will see great riches in
the next few years, especially the south
west.
David Wilcox, Delaware & Hudson
Opposed to anything that looks like
government regulation; cannot see what
right under the law the government
has; his opinion is largely legal, he be-
ing one of the few railroad lawyer
presidents.
G. s.. Mellen, New Haven-Believes
in government supervision, but hest
tates to endorse the commission; thinks
a court of rates would work all right;
has great confidence in the president.
| It will be noted that few, if any, of
the railroad heads Of the country abso-
lutely oppose the regulation Of rates.
Most Of them recognize that something
has to be done and are prepared to let it
be done quickly.
Tt can be stated that the result will
be railroad rate legislation at this ses:
sion, which will be put thru in spite Of
the apparent opposition of the railroads.
It will provide for the regulation OF
rates within certain limitations. When
it is finished the government will have
fulfilled all it's pledges and the question
will go to sleep again for a while
Meantime no harm is done, and none OF
the activities of the railroads will. be
interfered with in the slightest degree