Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-23
THE RAILROAD SIDE
VIEWS OF ER1Es,is'oN PROPOSED
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..

The railroads are determinedly present.
ing their side Of the case in the present
agitation for raflway7rate legislation. In
communicating addressed to boards of
trade by the EYE railroad the following
statement is made 70
The object. Of this communication is to
ask you to immediately call a meeting of
the members Of your. organization or of
its executive COMMITTEES mot waiting until
your next regular meeting), to take action
at once. protesting against any hurried leg
islation by Congress on this important mat
ter of national railway, legislation.
The railroads themselves are just as
anxious as the public, and more so, to be
placed in position forever relieving them
from being approached on the subject OF
giving secret rebates and discrimfna tons,
or OF doing for one what is not done tor
all. Railroad officials constantly seek 70
be able to devote their whole time to the
Improvement of their railroad system and
It's service, and the placing of manufac-
turerS located on their lines at best adj
vantage. The giving of rebates is Illegal;
the present laws. with slight perfection i'll
uetan' are sufficient to obtain redress.
what may by some be considered an Unfair
rate ana subject to adjustment is d matter
Tor the railroads and the parties Igg.l''reC
TO settle, or in case they cannot II.
it is matter for trial by a court o. y,
a specially constituted court. If necessary
The majority of the people do not consider
present rates unfair
An attempt is now being made to hurry
raliroad legislation through Congress. You
are aware that in the ma jority of cases
where bills have been hurriedly rushed
through Congress the courts have declared
them unconstitutional. If bills are now
rushed through they will probably, after
nght through several courts. all of which
takes time. be declared unconstitutional.
ana the true object we are all seeking.
namely, justice, equity and fair play for
all, will be delayed There may be grew
ances, but the whole subject is stupendous
and cannot be remedied by hurriedy drawn
bills. You are interested as much as We
are In taking prompt steps to see that this
whole matter is given adequate and pro-
found consideration. rt
Il therefore respectfully suggest to your
business organization that it promptly pass
resolution to the effect That this or
ganization protests against the hurried leg
tslatfon now proposed in regard to railroad
rate matters, and believes that before any
attempt be made to pass such bills ade-
quate time and consideration should be
given to this stupendous subject so as to
mature plans which will be for the inter-
eStS of ALL
ION the passage of such resolution by
your organization l should like you to
promptly send copies of same to your sena-
tors and representatives in Congress, to the
chairman of the interstate commerce COM
mittee, United States Senate; to the chair
man of the House committee on interstate
and foreign commerce, to your local news
papers and to such others as you see fit,
by mail or telegraph, or both. Such action
by you will be to your business interests
and conducive to the continued prosperity
of the country" *