The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-05
STEVENS PLEADS
! FOR RATE REFORM
minnesota Congressman Addresses
the House on the Hep
burn Bill.

Stevens of Minnesota today spoke as
an advocate of the bill. He said:
The unanimous report of the COM
mittee on interstate and foreign com.
merce, upon the momentous question Of
railroad rate legislation, is a matter OF
congratulation to congress and the coun
try, since it indicates the sincere de-
sire of representatives from all sec
tions, and Of various shades of opinion,
to yield their own views in order to
unite upon a bill which may meet the
expectations of the country.
"This may or not be the form Of the
bill which shall finally pass, but if en-
acted 1t will be productive of far more
good than i'll. ~ 5#l~. =:
Unrest Among the People.
"Congress and the committee was CON
fronted with complicated situation.
There has been a great unrest among
the people, which, because Of the AFRO
gance of wealth, of the abuse Of cor
porate power and misuse of public fran
chises, and because of the shameful dis
closures in the world Of high finance,
also the combination OF the railways
of the country into eight or more large
systems, seems necessary and inevitable.
"These conditions have alarmed the
! people so that they no longer have con-.
idence that the men in charge Of the
great financial and transportation inter
est of the country can be trusted to
properly care for and guard the inter
ests Of the people.
Demand for Laws.
"Then, too, it is admitted that favor
itism has been granted to powerful
shippers by railway interests in the
way of rebates, drawbacks, unjust dis
ordinations and advantages at various
times. These abuses have enriched the
powerful and have crushed the weak
and unfortunate. They threaten to
prevent the development of resources,
Industrious, and deprive of fair oppor-
tunity the very class which should be
encouraged.
The Good in the Roads.
eat the same time, the people realize
that railroads have been one of the
chief factors in the development of our
nation and it's industries; and that the
enterprise, and foresight OF, their man
every part of the country to the up
I building Of industries, cities and the
T country, creating and increasing values
of land products. 1t is realized, too,
that the enormous business of the ma
tion, domestic and foreign, is most
closely interviewer with the well-being
of the railways, and that harm to one
means harm to it's necessary connec-
tions. At no time has there been a
greater necessity for additional i'm
provements and facilities in transporta-
ton than at present. There is needed
additional lines to places not yet pro-
vided; single tracks should be doubled
double tracks quadrupled, additional
terminals and facilities must be pro
vided, better roadbeds, bridges and sta
tions and all sorts of additional equip
bushels Of grain rotted this year fol
lack of transportation and millions are
wasted for lack. of facilities. Prob
ably $500.0O0,O0O need to be expended
in providing these additional require
ments of our people,.
$50 this committee and congress
realize it cannot afford to adopt any
from these great developments, which
{ would iniure the high grade Of labol
now employed in railroad operations
or diminish the safety or facilities O.
. the public. We do not believe the bill
presented does this. s..
- What the Bill Provides.
Z" The bill in substance, provides
First, that the interstate commerc
commission shall have authority to fl
a maximum rate and put it into effec
in thirty days or at such time that i
may indicate.
Second, that it may: provide join
when no satisfactory ones exist.
"Third, the power Of the conlmi!
sion is enlarged so as to include a
possible facilities by which rebates ar
secured, such as private cars, terminal
elevators, and switching charges. ;,
ha f1r nd off nF +
schedules are improved, the midnigf
rate scheme is abolished as far 8
-c~~:l-1A
ga, the court proceedings al
ws'7s speedy, simple and effective.
@lZ1 4, reports and Investigation
81 >d~a Of securing information
ss7s. n causing compliance with tt
ls-v. u,# as a basis for future action.
g., Tfze other provisions in the bill al
nE quence, but nothing is include
~ ,aa $letriment of the carriers desi
{aG 70 hey the law and treat the p
irons .Lirly, except some question ;
to the provision Of penalties.
etIEhe bill contains nothing whic
should confscate property, prevent d
velopment, decrease facilities or redu,
good wages.
AS to Power of Commission.
2 80. i uS pIluCIp1i dHu Culeu.y COuIeSGe
proposition is the power to fix a max
mum rate by the commission. I'll
railroads have opposed this strongl
hut it seems to be necessary under e
listing conditions for the following re
sons: --'.' -.-.G...~ 49,
# '.First, the supreme court has he
that railroad is public highwa
that commerce is public function al
that a carrier is engaged in publ
work and is subject to public regul
ton and control, and that a corpor
tion as carrier is subordinate to t.
public interests while it does publ
service. The headquarters Of the f1na
cial interests Of railroad corporatio
in this country are now conferred
the city Of New York and at a
distance from the actual operation
Il the railroad, and complaint and nect
stiles Of the people can with Difficult
reach the distant source of authorit
fThe directors and managers ha
the. chief concern for the returns up
their securities and no complaint C.
be made as to that. They have n
seemed to realize their public duti
as trustees for the people,. also, a;
have given secondary consideration
the people who patronize them. T
& existing disclosures have made
people apprehensive. These railro
No Appetite
Means loss Of vitality, vig<