The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-03-03
RAILROAD COMMISSION UNDER FIRE
Il Compilation Of Opinions for and
against III as a Public RenefactOr

sion to compel roads to make just freight rates.
but it is reasonable to suppose that it has given Just
attention to all complaints made and has done its
best in the premises. 10 say less would be to i'm
peach the conscientious fidelity to duty ri the men,
bers of the Commission"
The Democrat is willing to assume that the Com
mission is doing its best, but thinks If the claims
of the Banner true that "the Florida Railroad
Commission is practically worthless factor in our
State government in the matter of securing equita
BILE freight rates for our shippers, it is proper mat
ter for public discussion and remedy should be
applied"
The Banner says that the people of The interior
are refused Square deal" and that the Railroad
Commissioners, elected by the people in the Interior
refuse to put interior cities on an equality with
port cities"
Whether the Commission has refused to do this,
whether it is unable to equalize the rates is un
known. 1t is fact, though, that water competition
possesses II power of rate-making superior to any
commission Then, should the Railroad Commission
if it is to be of benefit to the people, attempt to
equalize rates for inland towns, and provide that
the inhabitants of the interior should not be
PEELED to balance the railway profit that might be
lowered through competition with water transporta
ton.
Competitive points should possess an advantage
over the non-compettive, though under supervision
of the State Railroad Commission it is doubtful if
they do, if the experience OF Ocala can serve as
example.
Inc nOtcu case Oh ia, DrOugnC tOrth
the decision from the United States Supreme Court
that in effect commission poweress to establish
a rate for noncompetitive point.
Shipments made to LAGRANGE from New Orleans
were at higher charge than the same from New
Orleans to Atlanta although the distance was
greater in the latter case. Indeed shipment could
be made from New Orleans to Atlanta and thence
back the same road to LAGRANGE at lower rate
than from New Orleans to LAGRANGE direct. The
court held that this was just because Atlanta was a
inn nj and uCrnuu hat
the Interstate Commerce Commission powerless
to afford relief
The Madison Recorder in defending the Commits
sion, asserts that freight rates have been lowered,
reductions have been generally made under the direc
tiOn OF the Commission. 1t says: "When the Com
mission established, it adopted the class rates
of the railroads practically as they then existed.
The same system is in existence today, except that
they have been reduced in nancy Although the
rates to the Northern markets are interstate yet
through the good offices Of the Commission,
than two-thirds of them have been reduced below
what they before the Commission estab-
lished"
The Recorder fails to explain how the Commits.
sion influenced the interstate rates, yet II the body
has accomplished such results, it should be given
high credit
In answer to the Banners demand for equali-
ZatOn the Recorder declares that it has been done,
stating that "the only rates which the Commits
soners have made and are not based entirely on mile
age, the fruit and vegetable rates, which they
instrumental in getting reduced"
Such explanation may be satisfying to the pub
lic still it would carry weight il comparison
of figures had been made. The claim that rates have
been lowered is q statement to be taken on faith
The Cocoa and Rockedge News does rot attempt
to show benefit resulting from the Commission, but
sees in the criticism that "the mailed hand of the
railroads is striking at the State Railroad Com
mission The pot metal brigade is passing the word
around in Florida that the Commission must go. The
Commission is standing by the people, hence the rail
road edict has gone forth that it must be abolished
On guard there, people of Florida! The primary is
approaching, and word to the wise Is sufficient"
strange defense and deficient in logic. Criticism
of the Commission is not indicative OF friendship to
the railways, but rather a spur to better work on
the part Of the Commission else admission that
it is unable to the reforms demanded by the
people.
Facts, not fancies, nor generaties is the request
made by the public In short, the people want to be
shown, and unless the Commission finds IL possible
to make such showing, its existence will be looked