New-York tribune., 1906-06-15
RATE PLAN.
Remedy for Railzcay Rebate Ev1l
Proposed Sir Years Ago.

legislation
ton interest centres in indications that a'iol-e
the very foremost practical railway manage
of the country the reforms brought ABOUT -
president RooseveIts crusade are not aceeploN
IN anv massive spirit merely. but are aetuahS'
earnestly welcomed -
Free from the handicap of the reoate piC
railway earnings q maintainable norman 'e
must forthwith show vast net increase III aNa'-
able dividend funds. And this is not ne" JUS
ment Railroad managers OF prominence ="
found irksome the status of things, and eolnci-
dentany recognized popular necesslties' ou' , US
tInguished exceptionally IS a record discusseu
hero in government circles wherein one railroad
manager of national reputation. as long ago as
1900 prepared and submitted for Interstate
Commerce Commission consideration a Plah
which Cwhfe fully and explicitly acknowleusii's
the existence Of detrimental rate cohal'loiis'
proposed in detail practical methods OF reuel-
running along lines in all essential respects
closely resembling those which President Roose-
welt has SO urgently championed-
Perhaps such initiative is enough to make
railroad unique; and. indeed, on other ac-
counts as well, this one is unique-B F. Yoakum,
whose career is one of the romances Of the
Southwest's rushing expansion, he who has come
into new notable prominence through being in
vited by financial interests largely interested 10
assume management OF the operating affairs of
the fifteen thousand miles of railway with which
the Rock Island company gridirons the South
west and the Northwest-the whole West
Quite apart from his personality and his
achievement. however. Mr.. Yoakum will COM
mand attention for failure-for though IA half
dozen years ago. with earnestness and persist
ence he urged his rebate remedy plan. he made
scant progress.
But the Yoakum plan was serious. It was the
result of study founded on extended practical
experience. 1t was comprehensive; il evaded
nothing-without any ado admitted the existence
of evil conditions and necessity for their correc-
ton.
Mr.. Yoakum proceeded with directness In
the absence of new specific Congressional action,
he would have the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion rely upon powers already commanded. He
found authority for practical operation in the
act of 1887. whereunder the commission (as sum-
married in Mr. Yoalum's plan) may conduct its
proceedings in such manner as shall best con-
duce to the proper discharge OF It's business and
10 the ends OF justice, having authority TO en-
plOy and fix compensation for employees neces-
sary to the proper performance Of duties. And
the commission. in Mr. Yoakurn's Judgment so
empowered, was asked to issue orders includ-
ing primarily the appointment OF an Interstate
Western Traffic Commissioner, with headquar-
ters at Chicago. who shall have general super
located at St Louis Kansas City and st. Paul
and, together with such Western general agents
shall have general supervision over all inter-
state traffic" throughout the West-enforcing
the Interstate Commerce law in securing reason
able rates Of transportation. establishing rules
and regulations TO prevent undue preference 20
or undue unlawful discrimination against any
person, firm. company, corpora ton or locality
or any particular traffic in any respect; and
20 perform the duty of securing. tabulating and
systematizing authentic information OF all kinds
regarding rates, rules. regulations of traffic, and
in establishing a uniform system OF accounts
covering the different lines of transportation
within the Jurisdiction"
AS a detail in the execution of his PLAN Mr.
YoaNum would have had it the duty Of the In
terstate Western Traffic Commissioner and the
Western general agents to consult systemati-
caIly with the Interstate Commerce Commission
as to the reasonableness Of rates of traffic and
the enforcement OF their orders. and ito aid IN
all necessary and economical publications OF
tariffs. rates. rules and regulations and other
data desired by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission for the accomplishment Of the purposes
of the appointments"
Mr.. Yoakum provided for methodicaI work.
formulating supplemental to the authority Of
the Interstate Commerce Commission "A Plan
for Cooperation of the Railroads and in this
develops what, as practical experienced rail-
way manager. he recognizes as a vital element
in the movement TO make and maintain better
conditions Mr.. Yoakum would have the Inter
state Commerce Commissions Western Traffic
Commissioner with headquarters at Chicago
authorized TO accept appointment as general
agent OF the Western railroads themselves 1t
being understood" that ne be subject at all
times and only TO the Interstate Commerce Com
mission and that in any service he may render
the railroads Interstate Commerce Commission
instructions shall have priority.
On a fixed day in each month the Interstate
Traffic Commissioner should have a conference
at his headquarters with the freight traffic man
ayers OF each Of the railways handling inter-
state traffic. a docket OF subjects TO be acted
upon being officially posted by a weeks notice
all proposed changes OF rates rules or regula-
tions divisions of through rates to be reported
by the railway managers to the Interstate
Traffic Commissioner for his consideration a
sufficient length OF time before such changes be-
come effective TO enable him to give notice of
ten days to all lines affected. due notice OF such
changes being coIncidentauy given TO the public
it being the duty OF the Traffic Commissioner
and all OF his employees TO exercise the power
conferred as To prevent and suppress any and
all violations of the Interstate Commerce Act
his duty being promptly and inpartiaIly TO in
vestigate each case whenever there is complaint
knowledge or reasonable suspicion that the spir-
| II or purpose of the Interstate Commerce law
is being disregarded or evaded by any device.
| subterfuge unlawful means Whatsoever. hav-
| ing authority vested in him by the order of the
| Interstate Commerce Commission To call upon
/ official or nj any comma ny For gract6o