The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-13
Secretary'S View of Rail-
 road Rates.
FOR PRESENT COMMISSION
Then Suggests Central Court
 of Transportation.
Ex-santa Fc OmciaI Believes that Government Ownership of Com-
 mon Carriers Will Mark the
 Beginning of Political Chaos.

Washington. Jan. 12.--Paul Morton. Secretary of the Navy, and formerly Vice-President of the Atchison, Tope- ka and Santa Fe Railroad Company, Is author of the article on the railway rate question which will be published in The Outlook tomorrow. He, in the outset, expressly disclaims writing aa representative of President Roose- velt's administration and says he speaks merely as one who had some what extensive experience pertinent to an important subject
 The Secretary in the article says there are few complaints against rail- road rates per SC in the United States the chief trouble being with the 'sre- lation of rates as between markets !" He says there are as many rates that are too low as there are rates which a court would decide to be too high, and that either class of rates may be equal ly disastrous to communities. He ex- presses the opinion that Federal su- pervision of railroads is necessary but adds that regulation and protection should go together. He says that enc of the three things following Is sure to take place in the conduct of our railroads:
 First, legislation of poois--the rest of the railroads to make enforcible contracts between themselves as to 2 division of earnings. so that they cap resist the temptation of big shippers and be assured fair share of the bus- mess moving at stable rates. which shall apply alike to all patrons.
 Unincation of Ownership.
 Second. the further unification of ownership. thereby delivering in time the entire railway ownership of the country in the hands of a few fndivid- uals or one syndicate.
 Third, government ownership the worst of the three evils. if such they may be called"
 In the opinion of Mir. Morton, gov- ernment ownership of our railroads would be the beginning of industrial and political chaos.
 He rather favofs the first proposf- ton with adequate provisions to as- sure rates being reasonable.
 As to the pending legislation Mir. Morton favors the continuance of the Interstate Commerce Commission sub- stanttally it's present form. saying
 Let 1t go on mating investigations and findings. If It finds rate is un- reasonable (either too high or too low. everything else being considered) let 1t order such rates as it deems rea- sonable and if the railroads do not make them effective in thirty days then the entire matter to be referred to central court of transportation of- say, three or five members, to be cre- ated to especially consider and ex- pedite all questions of interstate conn merce so far as the transportation o6 the country is concerned, it being un- derstood that this central court shall have power to adjudicate in all such cases except those involving constitu- tional questions; and the finding of this court in interstate matters to be final
 Against Giving of Rebates.
 T would urge severe punishments for railroads or steamboat lines en- gagged in interstate commerce which by any device paid rebates. commis- sions or in any way afforded prefer entIal rates. and the punishment should be just as severe to shippers or com mission agents seeking or receiving them. I would permit the railroads to divide their earnings or tonnage among themselves. filing all such agreements with the Interstate Commerce Commis- sion for its information and l would make these contracts enforcible as be- tween territories. I would do this as an insurance to the small shippers seek ing the lowest rate and as a protection to the transportation companies against the vast tonnage and conse4 quent temptation offered by the big shippers which so frequently have been used to secure 1nside rates IT LneS0 contracts were illegal or against public policy or unreasonably in restraint of trade, then let them be reviewed by the same court of commerce.
 T would favor the declaration that all transportation by railways hereaf- ter to be considered interstate com merce and subject only to Federal su- pervision. thereby relieving the States of this prerogative and establishing one central regulation. the Federal power
 T would make it impossible for oth- CTS than those directly interested as shippers or commercial bodies to bring suits for action under the interstate commerce act. I would favor an agi- tation and shaping of public opinion that would not tolerate such thing as a preferential rate and would make it equally disagreeable to grant or re- ceive it. ThePresident's message on this subject meets the views of all good citizens, whether engaged in railroad ing or shipping"