The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-12-07
DECEMBER Z, 1905


railroad in t., matter If rebates. Tie law should
make it clear SO that nobody 1ail to under
stand that any kind OF commission paid on freight
shipments whether in this form or in the form
OF fictitious damages, or OF concession, free
pass, reduced passenger rate, payment OF
brokerage, is Illegal 1t is worth while consider
ing whether it would not be wise TO confer on the
government tie right of civil actA~4 against the
beneficiary of rebate for at least w the
value of the rebate; this would help stop what
is really blackma Elevator allowances should
be stopped for they have NJ grown to such an
extent that they are demorazing and arc used
as rebates.
"An private car lines Industrial roads, re-
frgerator charges, and the like .hould be express
ly put under the supervision OF the interstate
commerce commission or some sir ,lr body SO
far as rates, and agre ements practically affecting
rates, are concerned. The private car owners and
the owners of industrial railroads entitled
to a fair and reasonable compensation on their
investment, but neither private cars nor indus
trial railroads, nor spur tracks should be utilized
as devices for securing preferential rates. A re-
bate in icing charges, or in mileage, or in d.
vision of the rate for refrigerating charges is
just as perniciOus rebate "a an. other way.
No lower rate should apply on goods imported
than actually obtains on domestic goods m
the American seabOard to destination except In
cases where water competition is the controlling
influence. There should be publicity OF the ac-
counts OF common carriers; no mon carrier
engaged in interstate business should keep any
books memoranda other than those reported
pursuant to law regulation, and these books
memoranda s-.ould be cren to the inspection
of the government. Only in this way can viola
tons evasions of the law be surely detected.
A system of examination of railroad accounts
should be provided similar to that now conducted
into the national banks by tn bank examiners;
few frstclass railroad accountants, If they had
proper direction and proper authc -ity to inspect
books and papers, could accomplish much In pre-
venting willful violations of the law. 1t would
not be necessary for tn. II to examine in the
accounts of any railroad unless for 80 reasons
they were directed to do SO by the interstate com.
merce commission. It is greatly to be desired
that way might be found " which 90 agree
ment to transportation within state intended
to operate as fraud upon the federal interstate
commerce laws could be brought under the juris-
dictiOn of the federal authorities. At present it
occurs that large shipments Of interstate traffic
are controlled by concessions purely state BUSH
ness, which If course amounts to an evasion of
the law. The commission should have power to
enforce fair treatment by the great trunk lines
of lateral and brap~' lines.
II urge upon the congress the need of pro.
viding for expeditions action by the in. ESTATE
commerce commission in all these matters.
whether in regulating rates for transportation
for storing or for handling property commo.
dities in transit The history OF the cases tigated
under the present ommerce act shows that its
efficacy has been to great degree destroyed by
the weapon of delay almost the most formidable
weapon in the hands of those whcse purpose it
is to violate the law
"Let me most earnestly say that these rec.
concentrations not made in any 5p'rit of hos.
tility to the railroads. On ethical grounds on
grounds of right, such hostility would be intol.
cradle; and on grounds of national self.
interest we must remember that such hostility
would tell against the welfare not merely of some
few rich men, but of a multitude of small in.
vestors, a multitude of railway employees wage
workers; and most severely against the interest
of the public as whole. l believe that on the
whole railroads have dom well and not ILL.,
but the railroad men who wish to do we'll should
not be exposed to competition with those W,
have such desire. and the only way to secure
this end is to give to some government tribunal
the power to see that justice Is do. by tn un.
willing exactly 1t is gladly d. ne b. the willing.
Moreover. II some government body Is given In.
creased power the effect will o to furnish a,l.
thoritative answer behalf OF the railroad when.
ever irrational clamor against II Is raised, or
pbaua oh nat upa vad