Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-21
Chairman Knappof Interstate
Commission Heard.
WEAKNESS OF THE LAW
POWER NEEDED TO CORRECT
PRESENT EVILS.
Does Not Think That Any Radical
Departure is Needed-Northern
Pacific's President Testifies.

Martin A. Knapp. chairman OF the inter-
state commerce commission, spoke for two
hours at the afternoon session OF the Sem
ate committee on interstate commerce yes
terday in regard to his opinion OF the inter-
state commerce law and gave his views
as to what changes might be made in the
present law He said that the inability OF
the interstate commerce commission to deal
with present conditions is due to the fact
that the interstate commerce law does not
invest the commission with authority to
correct the evils with which the country
is ridden
He stated that he dissented from a popu-
lar public opinion discreditlng the inter-
state commerce law and declared IL TO be
one of the most important and benehcent
statutes ever enacted by the Congress OF
the United States. He said it was remark
able that such law had ever been passed.
because at the time ii was passed practices
which are now condemned were then con-
doned. He stated that he did not favor
any radical departure from the purposes
OF the present law beyond strengthening its
weak places and augmenting its authority.
Mr.. Knapp declared that IL was the
privilege and duty OF Congress to impose
requirements and conditions and fix lmita-
tons. and that If the law did not do that
the mistake could not be corrected by i'm
creasing the power of the administrative
body. He stated that the interstate COM
merce commission under the present law
was utterly incapable OF getting at the
evils OF the long and short haul, resulting
In determinations against localities. or to
reach the evils resulting from terminal
charges, switching charges and private car
lines
Replies to the Railway Men.
Commissioner Knapp referred TO the
statement filed by President Stickney of the
Chicago Great Western railroad. and rec
marked that Mr.. Stickney was always sur.
prising. whether filing a statement or maxi
ing a tariff. Commissioner Knapp did not
believe in the argument that there was
danger of infeXibility in rates or of fixed
mileage rates in case the proposed legisla-
ton adopted. as seemed to be feared
by the railroad men. Notwithstanding the
fluctuations in the price of cotton there had
been no change in transportation rates on
cotton in ten years. Mir Knapp cited this
as an answer to the assertion often made
that rates must constantly change to meet
changed conditions. Something should be
done. Mr.. Knapp thought. toward compel
ling carriers having short line connections
to unite in making through rates MI.
Knapp did not regard the courts the
best remedy for unreasonable rates.
IF you want to regulate railroads." said
the commissioner, do it yourselves and do
it by legislation. If you don't want to reg
ulate them leave it to the courts" IL
there any way to correct unreason-
able rate save by giving tribunal power
to substitute another rate for it he would
be glad to have it pointed out.
President Elliott Heard.
Howard Elliott. president OF the North-
ern Pacific railroad told the committee that
he agreed with the President when he said
the great highways of the country should
be kept open upon equal terms TO all, and
that rebates should cease. He opposed CIV
ing any government commission power to
fix rates, which he termed a socialistic
plan, which would affect adversely many
people interested in the prosperity of rail-
roads. not only the investors, but the en-
ployes. He asserted that the present laws
are sufficient to properly regulate the rail-
roads. There was, perhaps, too much reg
ulation now He said that American roads
were compelled to meet the competition OF
the Canadian roads and water rate to the
Pacific coast, which caused complaints at
interior points Discrimination between To-
calites will always exist because Of geo.
graphical conditions He advocated cutting
off free transportation and half rate tick
cts to government and state officials and
others.
Mr.. Elliott was asked about the Spokane,
Wash. situation where higher rates are
charged than to Puget sound points, and
he replied that il was "A very difficult case
and the railroads We're trying to effect an
adjustment. He again referred to the in
fiuence of the competition at coast points.
and said that in the month of April the
Canadian Pacific had increased in traffic
from points east of the Mississippi river
TO Seattle 100 per cent. while that of the
Northern Pacific had increased but - per
cent.
Power of Five Men.
William \. Hover. representing the Dem
Yer traffic bureau and the chamber Of
commerce of that city. wanted legislation
giving the commission power to fix rates.
to correct what he called gross and unfair
discrimination against Denver in favor OF
Missouri and Pacific coast cities. He SUBJ
rnitted tables of rates to prove his con-
teution He said five men practically con-
troll TRANSPORTATION west of the Missouri
river.
Russell B. Stevens of Sacramento Cal,
horticulturist, criticised the Armour car
lines He said he represented % per cent
of the fruit growers of California. lie as
serted there was a combination between
the shippers and the car line company
which resulted in injustice to the grow
ers.