The new enterprise., 1905-07-20
RAILROAD LEolsLArioN.


By HGllHay SonouSLoTS,
Whereas, tae Congress Of the Unit
ed States viii have before it at the
coming session the question of add
i.onal Legislation affecting the Amer
!can railways, employing 100000 peo-
pie, therefore be it, by the Order Of
Railway Conductors, in biennial CON
yenton assembled,
Resolved, That we hereby endorse
the attitude Of President Roosevelt in
condemning secret rebates and other
illegalities, and commend the attitude
Of the heads OF the American rail-
ways, who, with practical unanimity,
have Joined with the president on
this question, and be 1t further
Resolved, That we respectfully rep
resent to congress the inadvisability
Of legislation vesting in the hands
rates. now lower by far in the United
States than in any other country:
that this low cost Of transportation
is the result Of the efficiency of Amer
Nhll ldAl way Aihnet5NiAi'At hAu bFNto'
tion, which have built up the country
through constant improvement in ser,
vice and development Of territory,
while at the same time recognition has
been given to the value Of lntelli.
gonce among employees, in contrast to
foreign methods where high freight
rates and lowest wages for employees
obtain; that the freight rates Of this
country average only two per cent OF
the cost of articles 20 the consumer,
thus making the freight rate an in
significant factor in the selling price,
numerous standard articles being sold
at the same price in all parts Of tho
country; and be it further
Resolved, That regulation Of rates
by a government body would, in the
opinion Of this convention, result in
litigation and confusion, and inevitably
tend to an enforced reduction Of rates
irrespective Of the question Of the
ability Of the railroads to stand the
reduction, especially IN view Of the In
creased cost OF their supplies and ma
teria's, and be 1t further,
Resolved, That the proposed legisla'
ton is not in harmony with our idea
Of the spirit Of American jurisprud'
ence, inasmuch as 1t contemplates
fhit a single body shall have the right
to investigate, indict, try and con-
cemn and then enforce It's decisions,
at the cost Of the carriers, pending
appeal, which is manifestly inequita-
ble. and that II there is 10 be legisla-
ton on this subject 1t should be such
as would secure and insure justice and
eouity, and preserve equal rights for
all parties concerned, but In view or
the facts LEGISLATION affecting rates is
not called for at this time, and would
be inadvisabe, and be It further
Resolved. That this convention finds
Itself in accord with President Roose-
welt, who, in a massage TO congress,
has said: "It must not be forgotten
that our railways are the arteries
through which the commercial NE
blood of this nation flows Nothing
copld he more foolish than the enact
ment Of legislation, which would IN
terferc with the development ana op'
orarlon of these commercial agen-
cies."
The above resolutions were adopted
py the thirtieth session Of the grand
division Of the order Of Railway Con
6ur-ors Of America in convention as
senblod at Portland, Oregon, on May
1arh, 1905, and It was ordered that
COPY be sent to each member OF tho
United States senate and Of the
house Of representatives,, as well as
TO the interstate commerce commits
sion.
Attest:
CsirRcd) z. f. CLARK,
Grand Chief Conductor o. of r. c.
Csipned) A, J, MAXWELL,
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