Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-03-10
SEN. SCOTT OPPOSES BILL
Says Rate Regulation is Same as
Public Ownership.
KEEP RATES FROM POLITICS
West virginia's Senator is Against
the Hepburn Bill Points the Sen
ator Made in His Speech.

ator MADE IN his speech.
Senator Scott, in speech in the
Senate declared that he was absolutely
opposed to giving the interstate COM
merce commission the power to fix a
contested rate without provision in
the act for broad and general court
review. By this attitude he is array.
ed against the administration pol
icy. He took the position that rate
regulation was u form of govern
mental ownership.
while the two propositions may
differ somewhat, he explained. it
is difference in degree and not in
quality"
He bowed, he said, to the pressing
demand for regulation, but he would
have it restricted Speaking from an
experience of thirty years as a ship
per, and fortified by the knowledge of
the railroad situation in foreign cou1-
tries, he declared that governments
can not make rates that Will meet the
needs OF expanding trade and industry.
He thought that such.a benefactor ss
the railroad bad been should be &C.
cepted as such and treated as such.
He argued. however, for fair treat
ment of all shippers ard all commun-
tiles. He thought it most a dangerous
course for railways to be owners of
coal or any other necessity of life.
II believe, he continued, that
the interstate commerce commission
may Judge of the upjust ness OF GER
tain-fates, but it should bear in mind
that the RAILROADS are not all bad, and
its conclusion should be based on the
free competition of all trade econo.
mics, not on mileage scheme, or a
scheme OF natural location. do not
want to see railroad rates the general
political question of this. country.
do not want 20 see Congress arrayed
into sections trading with each other
for some seeming advantage. / do not
want to see the great commerce OF
this country centeIed in few cities
favorably located ON natural water
ways
The senator said he wanted legis.
lstion that would force railroads to
make connections with lateral roads,
and thus give to all free and un-
restricted transportation to all mar.
kets. .
The small OPERATOR said Mr..
Scott, 1.-THE small business man. must
have the right of having his product
expeditiously and freely handled. In
West Virginia, a case of railroad re-
fusing TO make switch connection
has been given much publicity. Our
own state laws have in similar cases
compelled railroads to make these
connections, but, TO give all rhe
benefit of our experience, | would
have the bill SO prepared that ii
would protect the small operator,
whatever i S business may be, force
railroads TO make connection with
lateral roads, and thus give 10 all free
and unrestricted transportation to the
markets.
Should the bill before the Seuate
pass without amendment, | think the
people of the United States. within
very few years would find it had
met more of the purposes it was
thought it would remedy. | want II
amended so that the coal operator OF
West Virginia can open up his mire,
have that mine connected with a rail-
road have bis just share of cars, snd
thus have his product carried 10 the
best markets l want the bill so
amended that il will be PLATA that
the railroads will not be- owners Of
coal lands, grain lands, OF any busi-
ness enterprises. and that the small
producer shall have an equal chance
With the large