The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1905-03-03
RAILROAD RATES.
In Canada and England Commits
sim nrsE I2poiIl a ~ rIs1n,,,

sioners Regulate Them
The American objection to Govern
ment control of railroad rates is that
it would be a novel and dangerous
exercise Of Government authority, and
particularly perilous in a democracy in
subjecting property to predatory popu-
lar assaults. But in this connection it
is worth noting that iii England and in
England's American colony rate fix
ing by the Government is an. accepted
public policy. The English are regard
ed and honored as a more conservative
people than the American, and particu-
larly cautious in everything that re-
lates to property rights, whether of a
corporate character or resting on a
basis of realty.
The accepted public policy of Canada
relating to rate fixing and the close
management and control of railway
corporations is found in the Canadian
railway law and Commission, created
In 1893, to regulate the charges and
operations 1t was formed after close
study Of the English practice and the
Interstate commerce laws of the
l. u
an Improvement and extension of the
principles of governmental control and
directions The Canadians have what
we call an Interest Commission,
| holding a longer term of office and in
vested with greater powers than the
American Commission. 1T is consti-
tuted a Court Of Record; having all the
powers of a superior or trial court,
whose findings of fact are final and
binding in the courts of law. The Ca
madam Commission is composed of on
" three members: their term of office
| is made ten years instead of six, and
they are paid from $4,000 to $4,000 a
year. but are prohibited from hold
| ing any interest in railroads. They con-
| troll all the railroads in Canada with
the exception of Government railroads
Their control over corporations en-
gagged in railway construction or oper-
alton is widely extended and very
sweeping. They establish or must APP
prove rates, and have charge of the
supervision and approval Of all amalga-
lmation or traffic agreements. This
Commission is clothed with the larg-
est authority known to any similar tri-
bunal in the world. No railroad sched-
ules or rates can take effect until they
have been approved by the Canadian
Commission.
In the English practice at home there
is similar recognition of the fact that
railroads are nronopolistic enterprises
of a highly public nature and subjected
to public control in all their doings
The English commissions must be COM
poses of experienced railroad men and
their members are paid $4,000 a year
and are given the importance and dig
nifty of any Of the higher courts, and
can compel the production of books and
papers and commit for contempt. The
permanency of railway rates is well es-
| tablished. The schedules of rates are
given the force of an act of Parlia-
Inent. They are changeable with the
varying changes in business and trade.
The point to be noted in these Cana
dian and English practices is that Gov
eminent control of railroads and the
fixing of railway rates is a settled
function of the public authority, and
is exercised without. any consideration
| of such talk as we now hear in the
United States of a dangerous invasion
on the rights of private perperty-
From the Pittsburg Post.