The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-01-14
neutrality-suspicious.
Secretary Morton Gives His Views
in a Magazine Article.
THERE ARE FEW COMPLAINTS
Believes Federal Supervision OF Rail-
roads Necessary and Urges Severe
Punishment When Preferential
Rates Are Granted.

roads Necessary ana urges oeNere
Punishment When Preferential
Rates Are Granted.
Washington. Jan. l3-Paul Morton,
secretary Of the navy, and formerly
vice president OF the Atchlson To-
peko and Santa Fe railway. is the au-
thor of an article on the railway rate
question. which is published in Out
look" He in the outset expressly dis
claims writing as a representative OF
President Roosevelt's administration.
and says he speaks merely as one with
somewhat extensive experience peril
nent to an important subject. The sec
rotary in the article says there are
very few complaints against railway
rates per Sc in the United States. the
chief trouble being with the relation
OF rates as between markets He
saws 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
equally disastrous to communities. He
expresses the opinion that federal SUI
pervision Of railroads is necessary, but
adds that regulation and protection
should go together.
He says that one of the three things
following is sure to take place in the
conduct OF our railways:
First-Legalization of pools-the
right of the railroads to make en-
forcable contracts between themselves
as to a division OF earnings. so that
they can resist the temptations OF big
shippers and be assured fair share
OF the business moving. at stable rates
which shall apply alike TO all patrons
Second-The further unification Of
ownership. thereby delivering In time
the entire railway ownership Of the
country into the hands Of few indi-
viduals ar one syndicate.
Third Government ownership. the
worst OF the three evils" If such they
may be called In the opinion of Mr.
Morton. government ownership of our
railroads would be the beginning of in
dustrial and political chaos.
He rather favors the first PROPOSE
ton. with adequate provision to assure
rates being reasonable.
AS to pending legislation. Mr. Nor
ton fayors the continuance Of the inter
state commerce commission in sub
stantially its present form. saying
Let IL 60 on making Investigations
and findings. II IL finds a rate is I'M
reasonable (either too high or too low.
everything else being considered. let
il order such rates as It deems reason
able. and If the railroads do not make
them effective within 30 days. then
the entire matter TO be referred 10 a
central court OF transportation or say.
three or five members. and the findings
Of this court in interstate matters to
be final
Il would urge severe punishments
for railroads or steamboat lines en-
gagged in interstate commerce which
by any device paid rebates. commits
sions or in any way afforded prefer
entail rates. and the punishment
should he just as severe to shippers or
commission agents seeking OF receiv-
ing them.
Il would favor. even il It were neces-
sary to have a constitutional amend
ment to accomplish it. the declaration
that all transportation by rail was
hereafter to be considered interstate
commerce and subject only to federal
supervision. thereby relieving the
states Of this prerogative and estab-
fishing one central regulation. the fed
eral power.
Il would make it impossible for 9th
ers than those directly interested as
shippers or commercial bodies to bring
suits for action under the Interstate
commerce act
81 would favor an agitation and
of public opinion that would
not tolerate such thing as prefer
entail rate and would make 1t equally
to grant or receive it. The
presidents message on this subject
meets the views OF all good citizens
whether engaged in railrOading or