Omaha daily bee., 1905-10-14

would be made permanent and such safe
guards would compel stability of rates and
at the same time permit Of honest and law
full competition and place honesty on the
highest of pedestals, and It would be easier
and more noble to be honest than dis
honest and at the same time to obey The
law
Laws should be so worded the people
could fully understand and obey with pleas
ure and not wholly through cOmpulsion. A
law such AS have described would permit
all transportation lines to discontinue their
paid retinue dolby at all state capitols
and at Washington. as II would not be nee
essary to employ the most brilliant and
capable men to protect their interests before
the legislatures of the various states and
before congress, as the government fixed
the rates which quieted all sections and
stopped adverse legislation.
The tampering with rates led to the en-
ployment OF thousands of capable men sent
to the various state capitols and at WASH
ington. These men constituted what is
known as a lobby" and their duty was to
do all they could to place a ban on adverse
legislation towards those that employed
them. The duty OF lobbyist is such that
1t dwarfs the minds of the brainiest OF men,
and the transportation lines and large cor
porations purchase these brilliant minds to
upset and disturb legislation they think
injurious to- them. Place the maximum rate
law in effect and this army of lobbyists
will be returned to the people to assist in
framing and passing laws FOR the benefit
OF all and not simply their employers, thus
restoring a better and more healthful con-
dition, compelling honesty TO be the guiding
star and assist in building up a class OF
manhood and womanhood stronger in mind
and body as good wholesome legislation
will do more to make people honest than
all the prisons and penal institutions.
The day has almost passed. and will soon
fade entirely away, when eminent domain
, is a factor, and about all that is left is
the charter. II you have abundant capital
you can get charter, an individual
company or corporation, but you receive no
land grants and very few privileges you
, do not purchase, as the right-of-way is
/ contended and fought in the courts. But
in the end you must pay the verdict and
so you build a railroad and pay for II the
same as buying real estate or building a
house. A railroad can be built by a single
individual the same as a big corporation,
each having the same rights, and in fact
| today the same as a private corporation
conducting it's business for it's own profit
but on account of a franchise or the right
! for a railroad TO pass over the public do
| main the government has reserved the
! right to regulate and establish rates and
the time has come when the government
/ should take hold and establish permanent
\ just and equitable rates for the people and
4 all transportation lines.
II a maximum rate law, as outlined, is
made effective by the government the rail-
/ roads and all transportation lines can
abolish the lobby. reduce their high salaried
\ oficials one-half or more in salary and
/ also In number and finally reduce rates
| from so 10 100 per cent through the abolish
| ment OF the lobby and other expenses that
can be reduced and after this reduction In
/ rates the transportation lines will still be
in better position to pay their owners more
| pront than at present, as permanent rates
have been established and expenses reduced
one-half which will permit of a large re-
duction In rates with good proht for the
| owners
| This maximum rate law will 90 away
with pooling compel transportation lines
TO maintain rates granting the same rights
and privileges 20 ALL and these Just and
| equitable rights 10 all will be maintained
/ by the government through the commits
sion. Our present law has brought about
the present suit against the packers and
If the government Is honest It must
commence action against all violations,
even Of all ministers who have accepted