The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-19
Tho rDroar About Railway Rates.

The Uproar About Railway Rates.
Nowhere in all the discussion OF the
railway rate question has it been made
apparent that, except in isolated ana
infrequent cases, the schedules are e1-
rossive or unreasonable. Nowhere has
It been shown that there exists any gem
eral complaint, except in the matter Oh
rebates and other forms of unfair ana
unlawful discrimination between shipper
and shipper. Nowhere has it been shown
that there is any necessity for vesting
the power to dictate schedules in the
hands of officials Of the Federal Govern
ment. or that there would be any wisdom
in doing it.
The weakness Of the present situation
lies in two facts. One is the lax enforce
ment of the existing laws. The other
is that railway operators, aware OF the
weakness and laSity with which the law
is enforced, persist in violations OF the
law. No serious evil has yet been re-
vealed, save those which lie in such proc
esses MS rebates and similar methods,
open or disguised. Beyond rigid en-
rorcement OF laws already provided
nothing il needed. with the possible ex-
ceution of laws which will compel their
enforcement and an extension which
would make n shipper who avails him
self Of rebates or other discriminating
processes equally punishable with those
who make the rebate, in whatever form
it may appear.
If laws already existing and generally
recognized and conceded as covering all
real evils are not enforced, what reason
is there for supposing that laws oil wider
range and vastly greater completely
would be any more efficiently admin
istered? The fault which lies in the
failure of an existing law to punish
common drunk is not likely to find cor
rection in the enactment OF a law pro-
hibiting national orgy.
The solicitor for a large Western rail-
way has recently said that there is a
growing disposition among men who
control the railroads to give adhesion TO
the law. This appears 10 introduce a
new feature in Jurisprudence. 1t seems
10 imply that obedience to law is optional
with those affected by 1t, and that penal
clauses are introduced rs kind OF blum
only. The general belief for many years
has been that laws were not made with
any idea of asking people If they would
be kind enough TO obey them II 1t suited
them TO do so, but that the enactment Of
law carried with it an obligation TO en-
force it. If this is not the case, 1t is quite
time to recognize the farcical feature IN
legislation.
The Outlook for Jan. IA contains an
article by Secretary MORTON, whose
information upon the subject of rates
and rebates is that OF an expert. Mr..
MORTON says that every good citizen
should be in favor of the determination
of rebates and special privileges of all
descriptions which discriminate in favor
Of one shipper against another lHE
SUN has been saving precisely the same
thing for a long time But Mr., MORTON
continues: There are very few COM
plants of railway rates per SC in the
United States Rates generally are
reasonable. " II very rare
that complaint is made that any given
rate is unreasonably high or oXtortion-
ate" None excepting few Socialists or
Populists will dispute this averment
Why, then, all this hullabaloo about
Federal control regulation and adjust
ment of railway rates? Let the law
against recognized evils be enforced,
and if it is not strong enough let it be
strengthened Beyond that, no action
is needed. General competition may be
relied upon 10 prevent extortion. A rail-
way that robs its patrons viii get little
patronage and will find its e1tortion
only a form OF suicide.