Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-05-04

proper for an improper rate is in very
many instances the only effective way in
which to prevent improper discrimina-
tions in rates.
1t is not possible to put into figures the
exact amount by which the Standard
profits through the gross favoritism
shown it by The railroads in connection
with the open rates. The profit Of course
comes not merely by the saving in the
rate itself as compared with its competi-
tors, but by the higher prices it is able to
charge, and (even without reference to
these higher prices by the complete con-
troll of the market which il secures, thereby
getting the profit on the whole consump-
tion. Here again the only way by which
the determinations can be cured is by
conferring upon the Interstate Commerce
Commission the power to take quick and
effective action in regulating the rates.
One feature of the report which is
especially worthy of attention is the show
ing made as to the way in which the law
is evaded by treating as State commerce
what is in reality merely a part Of inter-
state commerce. 1t is clearly shown, for
instance, that this device is employed on
the New York Central Railroad, as well as
on many other railroads, in such fashion
as to amour to thwarting the purpose
OF the law, although the forms Of the law
may be complied with.
1t is unfortunately not true that the
Standard Oil Co. is the only great corpora
tion which in tho immediate past has
benefited. and is at this moment benefit
ing, in wholly improper fashion by an
elaborate series of rate determinations,
which permit it to profit both at the ex-
pense Of its rivals and Of the general pub
iic. The Attoney-General reports to
me that the investigation now going on
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 unlawlully, favored at the
expense Of its competitors and OF the gen
eral public.
The argument is sometimes advanced
against conferring upon some govern
mental body the power OF supervision
and control over interstate commerce,
that to do so tends to weaken individual
initiative. Investigations such as TINS
conclusively disprove any such allegation.
On the contrary, the proper play Tor indi-
vidual initiative can only be secured by
| such governmental supervision as will
curb those monopolies which crush out all
individual initiative The railroad itself
can not without such government and
protect the interests of its own stock
holders as against one OF these great cor
porations loosely known as Trusts.
In the effort to prevent the railroads
from uniting for improper purposes we
have very unwisely prohibited them from
uniting for proper purposes that Is, lot
purposes Of protection TO themselves and
to the general public as against the power
of the great corporations. lhey should
certainly be given power thus TO unite on
conditions laid down by Congress, such
conditions to include the specific approval
of the Interstate Commerce Commission
of anv agreement TO which the railroads
NAV come In addition TO this the gov
eminent must interfere through its agents
70 deprive the railroad OF the aoillty 70
make to the big corporations the conces-
sions which otherwise 1t is poWerless 70
refuse.
ME government should have power
bv its agents 10 examine into the conduct
.of tbe Tailwavs-that is, the examiners
under the direction Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission should be able
to examine as thoroughly into the
affairs Of the railroad as bank examiners
now examine into the afiair OF banks;
II is impossible to work a mnatenai, I'M I'M
provement in conditions such as above
described merely through the mstrg'
mentality Of law suit A law suit 4
often a necessary method; but by itsei
it is an utterly inadequate method
What is needed is the conieuing upoi
the commission Of ample affirmative
power. so conferred as to make It's ae
cisions take effect at once subject on5is
to such action by the court as Is s., Ie
manded by the Constitution. %, NM NM
courts have the power TO, ana wll uli I
doubtedly. interfere if the action ol W en
commission should become IN ehect oui, .ni
fscatory Of the property Of an individual ..:l.
or corporation, or if the comIInlsslol
should undertake TO do anything peyohl'
the authority conferred upon Il ny ,n r
! law under which It is acting. ! am we
aware that within the limits thus ~ se
the commissioner may az times pe gum.
OF injustice; but far grosser ana iar llsoi
frequent injustice, and injustice o. i,
much more injurious kind, now lesu,. eell,s