The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-01
ARRAY COUNTRY
AGAINST CITIES
Commercial Organizations in
Backing Down OH Rate Mat
ter May Cause Storm.
GREAT CITIES ]. I.|: WOULD LOSE
New Cure for Consumption At
tracts Widespread Attention.
Infant Mortality.

tFrom Our Regular Correspondent,

tFrom Our Regular Correspondent.)
WASHINGTON. D. c., May 31.--It is
learned that there IL sharp difference OF
opinion among opponents OF governmental
regulation of railroad rules as 10 the
wisdom OF the attempt being made to
rally the trade organizations AMI busi-
ness bodies OF the larger cities In oppo-.
sition to the proposition. on the ground
that ms a governmental rate would mean
"flat rate" based on distance. the little
towns would be benefited at the expense
Of the 81 eat cities, which have been built
up largely through determinations and
other transportation favors generally
termed .'differentlals." It is pointed out
that II 1t became known that the large
cities are fighting the proposition be-
cause 1t would mean the disappearance Of
their favors, and the growth OF the small.
er places Of the country. there would be
such an uprising of the people OF the
country districts and the small towns
that the Congress would be forced TO
yield to the popular clamor \.
Tho commercial organizations of sew
eral of the larger cities have reversed
their positions on the rate question as a
result Of the influence which was brought
to beur by the railroads. They had for
.nserly advocated governmental reguln-
ton. The appeal to selfishnrss was too
strong. They adopted resolutions asking
Congress to take no action, but to allow
the natural laws of business to settle the
matter. 1t was known at the time that
the latter action OF the organizations In
question was taken through tho infu-
cnce OF the railway companies, but it is
doubtful II anybody appreciated the dan
ger of the course upon which the roads
had get our. II they keep UP their cf-
forts to have all the large cities hrraEed
against regulation Of railroad rates. with
their opposition based solely upon the
selfish ground that governmental regu-
lation would mean the disappearance Of
all different!als, there Is little reason to
doubt the people OF the rural districts
and OF the small towns would institute
agitation for regulation viii htWould bear
fruit ],
Section two. OF Article two. OF the Con-
stitution contains this clause: No pref
erencc shall be given by any regulation
OF commerce or revenue to the ports o.
one state over those Of another. a rail-
FOND rate, fixed by commission created
nv Congress would be clearly "a reGu-
lation OF commerce Followed to It's
logical conclusion. this means that the
commission would be forced to abolish
ali dfferentlals, put an end to oil long
and short haul Determinations, and tlnaliy
establish flat rate per ton per mile.
or course, the rate would vary with the
varying character OF the commodities
transported. Judge Daniel Davenport. OF
bridgeport Conn. who appeared before
the Senate committee as the representa-
tive OF the Association for tho Mainte-
nance OF tho Rights of Private Property.
advanced these points. and It is not
known that they have been refuted,
81 on the whole, It would seem to DO better
for the railroads to desist III the cttorts
which, they are, making to induce the
larger, places In tho country TO MAKE 9
fight against the smaller towns ana nc
rural communities. An examination OF
congressional directory shows that OF the
ninety members OF the Senate. slNty-slx
live In towns of less than 10000, AMI only
twenty-four In cities of grruter size,
while In the House. ninety'nlgllt come
from cities Of over $4,000 AMI go from
what may be termed tho rural districts.
It is easy to see that the country would
heat tho city ha.,ls down II It should
come to an open fight between them,
lust, such a fight rs the railroads appear
to be trying TO bring on. Isl
The great cities OF the United States
like the Standard. OIL Company, the beef
trust the fruit trust and other great
combines, have been built UP largely at
the expense OF smaller communities and
discrimination in freight rates. There IS
not n a. single. Southern city Of any, size
whicll'hns not had cause OF Just cor.l-,,
plairt because of determinations In favor
Of some other city close enough to make
her a competitor for trade dlfferentials
and long and short haul rates have done
for those large communities what the
secret rebate has done for individuals
and corporations.
Let the people Of the smaller commu-
mites understand that they will be ben-
Gifted by legislation comforting on Y q
government commission tho power to-
re gllate rates. and that such rates Will
have to he the same for all citizens and
towns, based on distance, and there IL
little room to doubt they VIII see that
Will produce such an end.
a cure for consumption discovered by