New-York tribune., 1906-05-05
OTEER C0PPORATTONs PROFIT.

It is unfortunately not true that the Standard
OIL Company Is the only great corporation which
IN the immediate past has benefited, and is at
this moment benedting, in wholly improper
fashion by an elaborate series Of rate discrim-
lnaticns, which permit it 10 pr0ht both at the
expense of its rivals and Of the general public
The Attorney General reports 10 me that the
investigation now going as to the shipments
By the Sugar Trust over the trunk lines running
out of New York City tends TO show that the
Sugar Trust rarely If ever pays the lawful rate
for transportation, and is thus improperly, and
probably unlawfully favored at the expense Of
US competitors ana Of the general public.
. The argument IS some times advanced against
con1errlns upon some governmental body the
IEONer or supervision ana control over interstate
commerce. that 10 DO so tends to weaken indi-
fldual initiative. Investigations such as this
conciusively olsproVe any such allegation. on
ths conurary, the proper play for individual ini-
u5tlve can only be secured by such govern
mental supervision IS WIZ curb those monopolies
which crush out all individual initiative The
Tallfoao Itself cannot without such government
aid protect the interests OF its own stockholders
as against one Of these great corporations loose
Il known rs trusts.
Ia The effort TO prevent the railroads from
tnlting FOR improper purposes we have very un-
wisely prohibited them from uniting for proper
purposes; that Is, for purposes OF protection 10
themselves ana 70 the general public as against
the power Of the great corporations They
should certainly be given power thus TO unite
On conditions laid down by Congress, such con-
Ctticrs 70 include he specific approval of the
Interstate Commerce Commission OF any agree
Tae1t 10 which the railroads may come. In addi-
Through its agents 10 deprive the railroad Of the
ability 10 make 10 the big corporations the con-
eesslons which otherwise it is poweTless to re-
fuse
The government should have power by it's
agents 10 examine into the conduct Of the rail-
roads-that So. the examiners under the direction
of The Interstate Commerce Commission should
be able to examine as thoroughly into the affairs
o. The railroad as bank examiners now examine
into the affairs u banks
Z IS impossible 10 work material improve
u-snt IN conditions such as above described mere
ly through fne iustrumentality Of a lawsuit A
lawsuit IS often "a necessary method; but by it
seif is ~ utterly inadequate method. What
= needed IS the conferring upon the commission
- ample affirmative power, so conferred as TO
-aske its decisions take effect at once, subject
only 20 such action by the court as is demanded
~ HE Constitution. The courts have the power
10. ard r1iH undoubtedly. interfere IL The action
~ the commission should become in effect con-
hecatorv Of the property Of an individual or
corporation or 4 the commission should under
ze 10 Go anything beyond the authority con-
fcrred Upon 81 icy the law under which it IS act
Ing. I am wen aware that within the limits
Thus set the commission may at times be guilty
ef injustice. bur far gTOsser and far more fire.
Qlent injustice and injustice Of much more
iY5urious kind. ROW results and must always
result from the failure 70 give the commission
ample power 10 act promptly ana effectively
s.ithin these broad limits.
RAILWAY EXAMINATIONS.
Though rot bearing upon the question Of rail-
road rates. there are TWO measures consideration