Evening journal., 1905-09-20
PRIVATE LINES
VS.. RAILROADS
Interstate Commission Wants
to Have Jurisdiction Over
the Former
REGULATION OF RATES THE CAUSE
By Wlniam Woln smIth.

Washington. Sept 19-"You may do
what you please TO the private car
lines, but hands off the railroads" is
the ultmatum Of the railroad lobby to
Congress, the Interstate Commerce
Commission and those behind the agi-
taron for regulated railroad rates BY
this sop 10 the public the railroads
propose to postpone il not to escape
altogether from what they regard as
''unwarranted interference" In their af-
fairs That the scheme is plausible
and likely to prevail is undeniabe The
clamor for the regulation of railroad
rates was largely inspired by commits
sion men handling fruits shipped in
private refrigerator cars and by the
cattlemen who ship i'm privately owned
stock cars. The abolition of private
cars, so. the railroads lobby believes,
put an end to their complaints and to
their ceaseless agitation.
The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion would be highly pleased 20 have
its power extended over the private
car lines and Congress could virtuously
point to such action as calculated 20
remedy all ills connected with railroad
ing. This is undoubtedly the program
Of the railroads, already antagonistic
10 the car lines and eagerly awaiting
the day when they shall fall like an
over-ripe plum into their hands. The
logical outcome win be the Organiza-
tion of corporations owned and con-
troled by the railroad magnates i'm
stead of outside parties, who Will
acquire the private car lines at
fraction of the value Of their equip
nent which Will be almost worthless
when the present companies are legis-
lated out of business
Thus Congress, We cattlemen and
commission merchants. and above an,
the railroads, will be pleased. But how
about the immense body of shippers
and consumers who are interested I'm
the rates on other products than cattle
and fruit, and who are seeking relief
from the oppression Of the discriminat-
ing rate, secret rebates and the manip-
uiation incidental to private switches.
private terminals and the like? Win
they complacently watch the railroads
absorb the private car lines by the help
Of Congress and the Interstate Com
merce Commission and think their
pains have been relieved? BY all
means let Congress regulate the private
car lines but it should stick 20 the
main proposition to regulate railroad
rates. passenger and freight. and not
permit itself to be sidetracked, willing
, ly or unwihingly or some day the peo-
ple may wake up.
The many friends Of Representative
/ Rupert, Of New York. are highly
pleased that the report of his prospec-
itive retirement from Congress appears
to be without foundation. Mr.. Rupert
lis one Of the younger members of the
/ Democratic side and serves his con-
siitutents IN an un0btrusive but thor
loughly satisfactory manner Since he
first took his seat in the 56th Congress.
Mr.. Rupert has been nominated and
lre-elected by overwhelming majorities.
The son of one of the wealthiest brew
ers. Mr. RUPERT has large business
affairs but is constant in his attendance
on the sessions OF the House.
His avoidance Of notoriety is almost
Excessive and is evidenced by his
biography In the Congressional Direct
DRY which merely notes the date Of his
birth and his several elections. In con-
densation and brevity it is surpassed
only by that Of Representative Timothy
ID Sullivan who even omits the date
Of his birth.
Representative Hay, OF Virginia,
Chairman Of the Democratic Caucus
Of the House. announces his determi-
nation to introduce a resolution to
/ investigate the conduct and affairs of
the Panama Commission as soon as
/ Congress meets. He is however, pes
simistic as 10 its chances OF passage.
II am not charging that anybody Is
guilty OF malfeasance or misfeasance
in connection with Panama affairs"
said Mr.. Hay. "But the facr remains
that a great deal Of money has been
expended down there and that littls
or no progress has besl made in the
actual work Of cigging the ditch.
want Congress 20 have an the facts he-
fore it when we take an the question
of issuing canal bonds (Which will have
Ito be consid' e. this winter. / do lot
know how gocd are The chances OF
getting such a resolution through Con-
igress. A resolution to investigate the
laffairs of the commission should so 20
lthe Committee on Military Affairs but