The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-03
The Presidents Railway Journey

The President starts to-day on his long
Journey for rest and recreation over
Southern and Western railways. He
will, we may be assured, be attended,
as is Justly his due, by many of the high
officials and managing directors Of each
road while he is travelling thereon.
They will not fail in acts Of hospitality
and courtesy. 1t may be hoped that
such close relations Of host and guest
may open the way to free interchange
Of opinions that may tend TO relieve the
existing tension.
Mr.. ROOSEVELT has earnestly seconded
the asseveration Of the Interstate Com
merce Commission that the rates pub
lished by the railways are unreasonable;
that they have been for some time con-
stantly increasing in unreasOnableness;
that enlarged expenditures by the roads
in conducting their business do not
justify the growing rates, and that the
railways habtually spit upon the Elkins
law OF two years ago. But this prejudice
on the part OF the President need not
prevent a free exchange Of views by
him with the officials Of the several rail-
ways along his route.
The Elkins act first Of all requires
every corporation common carrier to file
and publish its tariffs, rates and charges,
and strictly to observe them with every
body till they are changed according 70
law 1t then Furnishes severely any COM
mon carrier OF person who shall offer,
give or accept any rebate, concession or
discrimination.
1t lis the fiTst branch of the law 10 which
we have referred that, under the Presi-
dents advice TO Congress, has created
the issue between him and the present
railway managers. He urges that the
Interstate Commerce Commission be
empowered by Congress 70 reduce or
modify those rates which the railways
must file and publish, and which, If
reasonable, there is no right in the Gov
eminent TO alter.
The Elkins Senate committee is en-
deavoring TO discover whether or not the
published rates are unreasonable, and,
IL they are unreasonable, why they are
unreasonable; and also what remedy by
Congress is expedient and feasible. The
President may be able, while on his long
journey, to conduct quietly but very
effectively a similar investigation by
free conversation with the high railway
officials who will be his hosts. A few
we'll placed inquiries Of the chiefs Of
traffic and the prominent directors can
not fail TO evoke Illuminating replies.
1t will be admitted that a majority Of
the shareowners, holding q majority Of
the shares, can choose the directors,
and that they have absolute power 70
establish reasonable rates. Why, then,
do unreasonable rates exist? II must
be either because bad directors are Sc
lected by the shareowners or because
II the directors are good they do not
direct the fixing and publishing Of reason
able rates. There is a fertile theme OF
conversation
Is the method Of choosing directors
defective, or do shareowners fail to exer-
cise their rights and discharge their
responsibilities as they should'
II lie incredible that the President as
a shareoWner, and all other shareowners,
wish unreasonable rates filed and pub
lLshed and intend TO be in chronic re-
bellon against the laws Of the land, as
the Interstate Commerce Commission
sets forth.
The country has a very energetic
President who plainly enough thinks
II his right and duty, under the Con-
Stltution, TO take care Of the Govern
ment, attend 20 lie needs, shape It's policy
and run It; but he surely will take care
70 ascertain correctly all the pertinent
facts before he enforces his initiative
upon Congress and the Senate. II on
fuller information he shall persist in
ospousing the opinion Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission that the pub