The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-20
NELLEN SCORES HEPBURN BILL
CUNNTNGLF DEVISED TO DEFEAT
ALL RATE LEGISLATION.
Measure So Bad and So Full 81 Evil Pos
sfbilitIes That He Believes Some 81 It's
Advocates Have Been Imposed On-sO
Arbitrary as TO OyerShOot the Marx.


Charles 8. NelIea Of the New HAVEN road,
in a speech before the Get Together Club
Of this city tonight. took occasion TO ex-
ecrate the Hepburn Railroad Rate bin.
President NIellen has been quoted as in
favor Of legislation regulating railroad
ratea, and as a close personal friend OF the
President has several times been called
into conference by hum concerning the
proposed changes in the law. Mr.. Mellen
said, in part:
While I nave been misunderstood and
misquoted as favoring the Hepburn bill
the fact is I regard it in its present for m
as a most pernicious piece Of legislation:
one Of the worst that has attracted my
attention.
i believe II 70 be fraught with the great
est danger 10 that section Of the country
in which | have my home and the busines
interests OF which are my constant study
and care.
The bill Is so had and il full Of such evil
possibilities tresarding which I am dis
posed to believe some Of its advocates
have been imposed upon it will probably
overshoot the mark. and a careful eIami-
nation causes me to speculate whether 1t
may not have been c,mningiy devised by
NlIIlt OAlc OpHO--I 10 dlL ShIsLdhfJI- ''
utterly subversive IS it Of all principles Vi
justice. 50 utterly regardless il it Of an
warrant in constitutiouality. 20 arbitrary
and autocrattc il it in its provisions re-
garding u~nimportant matters, that it may
well be believed il was the design to cause
disgust, distrust and a~ntagonism among
all right thinking INC fair minded men.
Such q result would be a misfortune TO
.-1---l 49, - l. --,Llsz - kav~A ]
ways advocated, and still do. the Iced Of
additional legislation.
The power Of the railroads il too great
To be longer permitted to be exercised
without greater restraint in the interest
Of the public. Directors do not always
direct, officials are not always competent,
power long exercised makes men offensive,
autocratic and arbitrary. and stockholders.
employees and the public SUITE and pay
the bill.
Our transportation Interests are 80
vast. their power for good or evil so ire
mendous and the. public is 80 vitality inter
ested that they should never permit such
power 70 rest in The hands Of any sat Of
men except under carefully guarded re-
straints and the greatest possible pub
licity.
Legislation hat Will accomplish prac-
tical elimination Of preferences and dns-
ordinations and the present laws have
nearly accomplished this; amendments
to existing laws requiring frequent e1-
animation Of records and then publication
and accessibility. will do more good to the
public land be without harm TO the car
riers, than any such legislation az that now
PENDING.
1T will be infinitely more to the adj
vantage Of the country If those in authority
enforce the laws now in existence until
their ~inadequacy Is apparent rather than
assumed, and ev iderce their sincerity by
acts and deeds rather than by assertion Of
what they would do il only granted more
authority.
"A sort OF promissory note Is now proposed,
10 be met by the carriers. in payment for an
additional grant OF authority, which we have
the night to believe would be equally well
interpreted and mislsed.
Benedict Arnold had thought Of no
greater damage to the interests Of this sec
ton than 1t is possible to cause through
the powers granted in this bill. and o
must consider not 50 much the disposition
Of those framing it as the measure Of the
grant II contains.
Given the power and a man will come
forward to exercise it. II a quare deal IS
more than a well sounding phrase. il the
Senate Of the United States was constituted
as a safe and IN barrier against mis-
guided and temporary popular clamor, the
noise Of numbers. the misdirected zeal OF
these who wish to divide with those wis
have that which they have not Uhe Social
ists. the Anarchists, the mob. then such
a measure as this must fail or be radically
amended before becoming law.
L will call attention TO some sections
OF the bill which seem to me unnecessary.
unless there is an Interior object in giving
such a grand chance for graft as to render
a position on the commission one Of the
finest opportunities in the speculative
world.
Concerning the review by the courts,
you should view with suspicion and ron
denim any man or set OF men who solicit
to render you service, but are wary Of
review by the courts until 1t Ia too late 10
be Of any good.
The bill contains provision intended
to force the carriers to contract among
themselves for through lines Or routes,
to compel artificial persons created by
the States to do that which their charter
requirements do not contemplate; and |
do not believe there Is any warrant in
equity or Justice in attempting to make
them assume a liability their charter limits.
Under Section 20 power + given to pre-
scribe the accounts, records or enora nda
TO be kept by the carriers. This Is right
ana DIODCI III ELcbHA hFCp az
accounts, records or memoranda prescribed
by the commission and the commission
should nave the fullest power to use the
same in any way in which the public in
terest may be promoted. But what pos
sible advantage is it to the public that a
carrier should be prohibited from keeping
such accounts, records and memoranda
Of its business as nay appeal TO its officers
a. an advantage in keeping a check upon
and record Of its operations 30 long az all
records are kept that the commission
may desire7 Such a law as this would
cover with shame the Car Of Russia or
the Sultan Of Turkey. and ts wholly ont OF
rlace under any enlightened system Of
corular government,
1t appears to me that the President Is
advised Of great wrong that have been
perpet rated in the past by tie GA rriers and
wishes to prevent the possibility Of a re-
currsnce Of anything Of the kind and in this
purpose we should all hold up his hands
and give him our support and no one is
more loyalty disposed 70 do his Utmost in
this direct ion than myself. In this. as in
all his efforts TO right a wrong. he Is sincere,
frank, and welded to no particular method
so long as the result is accomplished.
BRIT when | resd~a bill nominally pre-
rsred for ouch 2 purpose. and find there is
fH.. - - l. n u, - ,-,Nk .IzNzz