The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1905-02-22
WASHINGTON LETTER,

safe to say that the dreams of Ameri-
cas- political literati sojourns at this
place during the time Congress is in
session. Nearly all of the great t1ailies
of the country have representatives
here during that time. The assem-
bling of the brightest newspaper COR
respondents from all parts Of the ma
tion exerts a salutary influence upon.
the profession, as it tends mutually to
broaden and deepen the sympathies
and intelligence of these writer's: and
the greatest and most vital element in
all literature is sympathy and an ap-
probation of the bearing, which the
subject matter dealt with sustains to
the great surging, sentient multitude
of beings collectively known as human
ity. While the majority of the writer's
and correspondents now living here are
transient jewellers in the capitol yet
there are considerable number who
reside here permanently, some of them
men OF exceptional talent in their re-
spective fields of endeavor. On ac-
count OF the special facilities for re-
search Washington is rapidly becoming
the literary headquarters of America.
The Washington Post is morning
paper published in Washington which
rivals. if it does not surpass, the only
other daily here in its class. 1t is
brilliantly edited, and employs the best
talent available in the production of
its reading matter. One of its special
contributors writes under the
pseudonym "Savoyard, and his arti.
cles reveal remarkably comprehen-
sive knowledge of American politics
and political currents and tendencies.
He writes with strong partisan bias.
however and permits factionalism to
warp his judgment and divert the
current of his logic. Hiss premises are
usually presented with clearness and
precision, and by force of contrast
cause the reader to regret that his de-
auctions are not equally lucid. Speak.
| ing OF rates and rebates in recent
issue OF the Post he said: 1.-The chief
evil in the operation of our railroads
is not excessive freight rates, for
American rates are the lowest in the
world, but rebates advantages allow
ed one shipper over another. This
evil is one the roads are as anxious to
correct as anybody else. No railroad
grants rebate because it wants to. but
because it has to. Let us imagine this
sort of case-Mr. Carnegie again be-
comes the greatest iron master in the
world and says to Mr.. Cassett (Pres.
Penn r. RI: Give me advantageous
rates to the prejudice .of my rivals, or
| will parallel your road. What is a
railroad to do? 1t has to submit, and
1 it should incur no more blame for it
than did the lowland herdsman who
paid blackmail to Rob Roy. Substitute
Rockefeller or Armour for Carnegie
and you have what has been going on
for years. This is succinct statement
of the most important phase of the
railroad rate agitation which has be-
come SO widespread in its scope. And
yet when one contemplates the law,
passed but short time ago, known as
the Elkins Rebate Law, and reflects
on the fact that no law against rebates
was ever more strongly drawn, and
that despite this fact it has remained
practically devoid of results. he
is reminded that after all the
efficacy of laws and regulations and
government generally rests upon the
facility with which they are enforced,
and the disposition on the part of the
people to look to their enforcement.
The law is an Indifferent weapon is un-
willing hands.
Congress Conner early took position
on the rate question which he still
maintains. He advocated an amend.
ment to the Cullom Law of 1887,
which created the Interstate Commerce
Commission, and which it was sup.
POSSo SiOpl1Cd ~ WILL poWGI W duuul
rates which it might deem excessive,
and substitute other in their places.
The Supreme Court in 1897 held that
while the Commission had power to
pass upon rates and declare them ex.
cessive it did.not under that law pos
sess authority to substitute rate tc
take its place, although it had exer.
cised that power since 1887. The
Supreme Courts decision practically
nullifed the Cullom Law so far as its
capacity to regulate railroad rates was
concerned. Judge Conner proposes tic
amend the Cullom law so as to grant
the power mentioned to the Commits.
sion. There can b. no doubt that such
course would furnish the relief SOUGHT
blythe shipping interests, as it would
enable the Commission to fix rates
applicable to terminal facilities
lao io1 1iroe In