The Washington times., 1905-05-14
VIEWS ON RATES
TAKEN BACK HOME
Railway Congress Delegates
Given Much TO Ponder.
ALL 70 FIGHT REGULATION
Ready 10 Accept Enforcement of Laws
Protesting Them, But Want No
New legislation
ALL 70 FIGHT REGULATION

With the departure of the delegates
. to qae International Railway Congress
shese are going back to all parts of the
country men of highest influence in the
ratiread world and citizens whose infiu
ence In forming public opinion is strong
IN consequence of their personal integ
fity and material success What effect,
many persons are inquiring, will these
men have in opposing, individually and
through the great power of the corpora
tons they direct, the carrying out of the
Admins tration plan for railroad rate
regulatIpn?
1t is an open secret that the railroad
men regard the shock they got from
the Roosevelt and Taft speeches as the
only disappointing feature of their visi.
to Washington They expect the Presi-
dent Will give them every consideration,
of course, in hearing their views. but
they feel that his Denver speech put
him on record SO squarely that they
need not expect to bulge him from the
final decision he has made that the
Government must exercise an adequate
Federal control over railroad rates.
Agreed on Rebates.
An interesting part OF the railroad
rate discussion is the difference between
the unanimity OF railroad men and ship
Determinations and rebates. and their
wide divergence on having Congress del
egate the power TO fix maximum rate.
Naturally enough, it is seen, the rail-
roads viii profit if they are not COM
PEELED to grant rebates to get business
away from their rivals for the trade,
but are still permitted to fix their own
rates, They can all agree on the wrong
ILLNESS of secret rebates and discrimi-
Iations. Without them every shipper
can be made to pay the full price. in
stead OF some OF them. being powerful
eEough TO hold up the railroads for q
rebate. While this Is a weapon which
the shippers can employ to good effect
nov, thorough enforcement Of the FL
kins law would certainly be to the adj
vantage of the railroads. Hence, they
have no hesitancy in saying the cry Of
the small shipper. who eanont command
the favor of the railroads. should be
Needed. and the law enforced.
Apart on Fixing Rates.
But the other appeal of the shipper,
10 be protected against discriminating
and unjust rates. does not draw equal
support from the magnates. No one
can tell. just of hand. they say. whether
8 rate IS just or unjust. That calls for
judicial INJURY. the hearing Of ar
guments- It cannot be changed arbi-
trarily by q commission 10 remain at a
rate presumably lower than the rail-
roads find profitable, without doing great
harm to the business fabric Of the coun-
try. It would unsettle financial condi-
lions III too many different ways. The
present law is good enough. only it must
be enforced.
Yes. yes, reply the shippers; it's always
the same old story of delay, delay, de-
lay--anythtng to prevent us from get
ting fair rate Immediately determined
and made effective. There are too many
sharp practices in bookkeeping. allotting
charges. and secret contrivances TO en-
able Us 10 get at the root Of the evil
unless the law makes It TO the disad-
vantage Of the railroads If they avoid
the fullest investigation. Let the COM
mission change an exorbitant rate, and
put II up to the railroads 10 show that
ii IS proper. If they are right, they
can easily show 1t by their records, and
they will be quick about 1t, too. The
shippers haven't such extensive power
and now must force the fighting and
stand the exepnse and injury Of the
laws delay.
What Railroads Suggest.
To obyiate the delay, the railroads
circuit judges, SO that cases will not
pile up on the court calendars faster
than the judges can dispose of them
Let Us expedite the cases by all means,
declare the corporation attorneys. If
Shippers feel they are not getting a
rair rate. they have the right always
N the courts to enjoin any unreasonable,
excessive, or extortionate rate This
protects the public by the courts they
say against wrong or extortion. and
leaves the rate-making power with the
corporations. where. they insist. 1t be-
longs.
NOW come the shippers. in reply, de-
claring the railroad argument is all
pure moonshine. Corporations are toe
expert al exertfng local pressure on
local officials. There is every sort Of
Involvement and argument brought into
play to cause a circuit judge 70 delay
or to look leniently on a great cor
poration, which is giving employment to
thousands of workmen, on whom local
prosperity depends, and all that sort OF
argument, they say. What the shippers
want IS Federal tribunal which will |
be able to look upon every case without
any local prejudice and without local |
pressure TO favor the powerful corpora
ton against the individual shipper.
President Roosevelt having expressed
his belief that such a tribunal Is neces- |
safy, the shippers are confident their |
fight has made good enough progress |
for the present TO congratulate them
selves and one another. But 1t makes |
an unpleasant recollection for the Rail
way Congress delegates to carry home |
with them.
THE PIGTAIL'S FUTURE.