Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-20

ton OF pig iron. coal or coke II can be
readily seen that but a slight difference IN
rate on low-prloed commodities determine
whether or not a marketing point can be
reached. As the situation is at present II
Is possible for the freight trafic manager OF
large system. or a trafic association, TO
erect a Chinese wall around a territory, be-
yond which II Is not possible for produc-
ing company to go in search Of markets,
Physically, this wall is imaginary: but It is
as effective as though It were 1000 yards
high and 1000 feet thick.
Dangers In Railroad DETERMINATIONS.
This situation applies to a greater or less
extent on all low class commodities, and
they constitute at very conservative esti-
mate 60 per cent OF the tonnage handled by
railways In other words, II now lies within
the power OF carrying companies to make
and unmake markets. TO neutralze and
even destroy the natural advantages OF one
locality, and to create an artificial advan-
tage for another locality.
This is a dangerous power. II Is only
fair that II be subject to legal limitations
so that II It be used to the detriment OF
any individual or locality, there may be
means OF redress. Civilization means the
eral welfare. Unlimited power begets
license. Humanity is frail, and the pos
SCISSOR Of unusual power is liable to use
it to the public detriment. In an unde-
veloped society, where limitations are I'M
known the weaker individuals have a hard
time. 1t makes little difference whether
| the expression Of power DO q club or a
document, the result Is the same.
1t is probable that the strenuous opposi.
ton by carriers to the proposed legislation
is because It provides a speedy and mex
pensive method for the righting OF wrong
| conditions. II is probable that even at
| present there is some slow, tortuous and
| expensive way for a shipper OF freight to
secure, through the courts, relief from in
| jury occasioned by the wrong adjustment
] Of rates; but Il is so remote, so uncertain
and so expensive that the average indI-
vidual cannot avail himself Of It. More
over, most grievances are OF general APP
, plication; that is to say, an unfair rate ad-
Justment affects not only an Individual, but
a whole community and the individual
who would appeal to the courts would, at
! his own expense, fight a battle for the
whole community
Not Socialism, but the square Deal.
Hence the provision in the proposed
legislation that well-founded complaint
! shall be taken up by the commission and
| the case carried TO a conclusion at the
| public expense. Carriers are cognizant OF
/ the fact that under existing conditions the
great majority of those who believe they
are unJustly treated prefer to suffer in
silence rather than appeal to the courts
| II the proposed legislation becomes law
the means Of redress will be so simplihed
and made so inexpensive that many wrong
conditions will be righted that would not
! otherwise be questioned.
The proposed legislation has been stig-
matized as soclalistlc. II the Esch- Town
send bill be socialistic then the present
interstate commerce law is soclalistic, the
| Elkins law is socialistic, President Roose.
velt Secretary Taft, Judge Grosscup and
other statesmen who have commended the
bill are apostles Of socialism; nay, the
constitution of the United States is a
propaganda Of socialism. The talk Of social
ism In this connection is so inappropriate
that 1t is not worthy of consideration
The present law declares that all rates
must be Just and reasonable, Not ever
the most strenuous opponent Of the Esch.
Townsend bill will assert that this de.
claration is wrong in principle. He is only
| opposed to the application of it-that is all
The Esch-Townsend bill is merely q
means Of putting this principle into practice
The present law asserts a doctrine that II
is powerless to enforce. 1t authorizes O
public body to decide that rate is un.
just, but It does not authorize 1t tc
remedy the wrong. That is all there is to
1t. Then what consistent argument can
be brought against the proposition to put
into practice a moral principle that we al
agree to be right?
The people are aroused on this question
and there is no doubt that the Esch-Town.
send bill, or something like It, will soor
becopne a law. AS II is just in principle
there is no reason why 1t should not becomt
law He that uses his voice, pen, or in
nuence to retard the movement is not
patriot in the true sense. The house ma.
already spoken and the country is waitins
with considerable impotence on the slower
moving senate. When this legislation II
enacted, It will be another step toward
President Roosevelts ideal condition: "A
square deal for everybody"