The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1905-09-23
MAJOR FORAKER S9INlS KEYlgIE IE TIE .lII!g- 9
0G M. GOOD

regulation of the railroad business
of thecountFy
1t is very gratifying that railroad
men and shippers alike testltys WITH .1i
substantial unamity that the Eil5lns
law, passed by Congress in February
1903, has been so successful IN its
operation that the granting of re-
bates has been practically discon-
tinued. or, if not wholly discontinue
ed, the law has been found, by prac-
teal tests of its efficiency, to be am.
pie if properly enforced, to thor
oughly accomplish its purpose
E'The Statutes applicable to dis
crimination can be made much more
explicit and effective, and, as a..Te-
suit OF the Investigations that have
been made and the consideration
that has been given to this subject,
there viii undoubtedly be approprl-
ate legislation enacted at the next
session of Congress to prohibit and
punish in so far as it may be POSSE
Bile so to provide, all discriminating
abuses.
eBut what appear to be discrim-
nations are in many Instances
found in investigation to be due to
the law of competition and the re-
suit Unnatural forces and conditions
over which neither Congress nor the
railroads have any control. There
are, however, many cases for when
there is no such excuse, and Tor
which we must and viii provide an
effective remedy. But it does not
follow that to remedy these abuses
the rate making power should be
conferred on the Interstate Com
merce Commission, .as the ONO
Democratic platform of this year
proposes. I believe such proViis-
ion is unnecessary to correct the
evils complained Of and that it would
be both unwise and unjust.
uTbe Interstate Commerce Conn
mission IS composed of. FIVE very
capable, upright gentlemen, who
have rendered good service, but
neither they nor any other similar
body, acting. as they must act, could
satisfactorily discharge such duty
eHThe rate making is probably the
most complicated and difficult work
connected with transportation. The
railroads employ for this work the
brightest and most slilful men they
can find. These men command
LARGO salories and earn them Their
work is of scientific character II
can not be done except by experts
The railroad systems of the country
have probably more than 5000 men
in their employment today doing
nothing else but making transporta-
ton rates for the traffic that is being
hauled. They must not only make
rates as low as justice to the rail-
roads will allow, but they must make
them interdependent, so that ship
pers can with facility send their pro-
ducts throughout the whole country:
"A better way may be found OF
making these rates than that which
is now in vogue, but / do not believe
it possible for Congress for to pro-
vide it by entrusting such a com
plicated, delicate, and vitality I'M
portant duty to any such agency OF
it's creation as is that which has been
proposed. There are serious legal
questions involved in such Propo-
sition. There are numerous Difficult
ties of practical character that
must arise the moment the govern
ment undertakes such a duty.
eNTo take control of the rate max
ING power is to take charge OF the
revenues of the roads, and that
means that the government is to as.
sumo the responsibility not only OF
determining what rates shall be
charged but also of necessity how
much money railroad shall be all
lowed to make, and thus determine
also. of necessity what Improvements
it shall be permitted to make, what
extensions it may build, what equip
ment it must provide, what new
tracks it may lay, and what kind OF
service it shall render; for rates are
so interdependent that there is nc
such thing possible as changing one
without affecting many. Any other
notion is delusion refutcd by con
| ditions and experience. In short
if the government is to determine
how much money a railroad shall b'
allowed to make, it must OF necessity
determine also what expenditure
shall be permitted None of thes'
thinge can be escaped, and none Q!
them can be done by the govern