The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-05-18


[From the N. Y. Commercial Adver-
tiser.l
When the Hepburn railroad rate bill
has been signed by the president and
has made its way to the statute book,
what effect is it likely to produce upon
the general economic condition of the
country? This question is one which
deserves serious consideration from the
press and public. emerging as they are
from a long campaign of anti-railroad
agitation IN the course of which. il is
true. interesting information has been
brought to light; but much more ma
teriaI Of a doubtful sort. in the form of
false charges. unfounded hopes and err
roneous anticipations has. been held out
to the people.
Let it be understood at the outset that
the mere passage of the Hepburn bill
accomplishes nothing. and. by itself
signifies nothing to the country. Our
statutes are now crowded with pro-
visions. state and federal. for the recti-
ication of economic abuses. the control
of railroad rates andthe curbing of mon
opolies and combinations. Experience
with these statutes has shown very
clearly that enforcement and not further
legislation is the primary need. Will
the Hepburn bill be enforced? This
question can be answered only after the
lapse of q considerable time. but it is
obvious that no good results can be ex-
pected unless the interstate commerce
commission in it's new form shall be
made an effective, wise and courageous
body. With the terms of several of the
commissioners shortly to expire, and
with a number of new places to be filled,
President Roosevelt will have in his
hands the whole power to make or mar
the operation of the railroad rate bill
through the men whom ne may select
for places on the commission. Granting,
however, that the new commission is
made up in an ideal way numbering
among its members men of the best
Judgment and broadcast information
available. the public should make up its
mind not to expect too much of the op-
Grafton of the law.
The central feature in the Hepburn
bill. about which controversy has been
most active, is that which relates to
rate-making. It is not necessary to go
deeply into the legal intricacies which
have figured so largely in recent de-
bate to feel sure that in its final form
the alternating clause leaves the ulti-
mate authority to the courts, and
clothes them with power to annuI
practically any action the commission
may see fit to take. This means that,
while the new railroad commission
will be in a considerably stronger po-
sition than that which has heretofore
been occupied by the interstate com
merce commission, it will by no means
be possible for It to rectify all wrongs
created by unjust rates. Moreover,
long delay and litigation will be nee
essary. just as It has heretofore been,
in getting judicial decisions with ref
erence to railroad matters That the
rate-making feature of the Hepburn
measure will be a most serious and
far-reaching appointment to all
those who have expected any impor-
tant results from It is as certain as
anything can be. This may be a re-
grettabIe or a satisfactory state of
affairs, according to the point of view
from which the observer with his
mind already made up chooses to re-
gard it, but that it is a fact can scarce
ly be questioned.
While thus resolutely facing the
truth concerning the making fea-
ture of the new law. members of all
parties can feel satisfaction In several
Of the minor features of the legisla-
ton towards which very little atten-
ton has been directed. Provision has
been made for rectifying some rail-
road abuses that have been crying
for a remedy for a long time past.
The new classification of common car
riers. the modified anti-pass section,
the provision for a separation between
transportation and producing COM
panies. are all likely to have beneficial
results, provided they are properly en-
forced and made effective. Of far