The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1906-10-20

REBATlNc NOT THE FAULT or
RAILROAD AGENTS.
Investigation by Interstate Commerce
Commission Proves That as
Class Agents Are Honest
and Faithful.

Col j. III Woodland, Of Cincinnati,
O.. well known as writer on eco
nomic and political subjects and VINO
has had considerable practical expe-
rience in railroad construction and
operation, closely followed the recent
Investigation made by the Interstate
Commerce Commission relative 70
presents or bribes being given en-
ployes OF railroads as an inducement
to show preference to certain SHIP
perg. Col. Woodard, after analyzing
the testimony reached the conclusion
that the investigation was good
thing. because it exposed the practice
between shippers and railroad en-
ployes that was morally wrong and
otherwise might have continued IN
definitely Col Woodland in discuss
ing the matter said
THE startling feature Of all Of these
investigations was that all Of the
bribes had been paid voluntarily by
the bribers; that they originally Of
fered the brlbes without solicitation
from the agents Of the companies, ana
that they did II secretly for the pur-
pose Of securing an unfair and unlaw.
full advantage over competitors, and
that their acts were unknown TO the
general executive officers Of the sey-
eral companies. Some Of the bribers
attempted to Justify their acts by com
pairing them to tipping hotel servants
claiming that the agents were under
paid: but all Of them were shown to
have expected some kind Of discrlm-
nation against their competitors as
the result of the bribery The com
panies were not the sufferers by their
acts. for the reason that in nearly all
If not all, shipments made the rates
paid were the same as those charged
everyone else for similar service.
THE testimony. however, did show
that in every case where bribes were
maid the bribetakers kept the entire
sum paid them, thus exonerating the
executive officials Of the companies
which employed the dishonest agents
But II did show a fact which cannot
be given too much prominence and
that Is. that the percentage OF brlDe-
taking agents was much smaller tnan
is the case among public and private
employees holding similar positions 81
trust Compared with public officers
In many mercantile houses on any
class of trusted agents in any private
business, the railroad agents as class
stand pre-eAinent for honesty and
faithfulness in the discharge OF their
duties. How many agents were Of
fered bribes which were rejected was
not made a subject Of inquiry by the
commission, but II 1t had been, and
each one who had refused had testi-
fled. it would have startled the world.
rev eersons stop to reflect that II
shippers we're all honest there never
would have been paid one cent as re-
bates. Railroad agents, as rule, are
not hunting for business which has 70
be purchased: the shipper demands
rebates under the threat OF sending
his shipments by the weaker lines
which are in the market with bribes
No railroad ever paid bribe in the
form Of rebate because 1t desired TO
do so; it was paid under a form oil
compulsion made possible by the eX-
istence OF railroads which were not
commercial necessities, and which had
been constructed upon speculation
solely. and could never hope to force
the stronger lines to buy them on
except BY means OF injury they could
do through transporting persons and
commodities for less than reasonable
compensation
1T is true that many railroads have
made special rates to encourage the
growth and development Of the terri
tory through which their rails are
laid-indnstries which could not have
DEVELOPED without some such consid-
Grafton. This policy has made Ohio
and Indiana two OF the richest states,
per capita of population, IN the union.
Ii has developed the whole west with
out injury to anyone or any locality
Transportation charges in the United
states. figured from any point of in
quiry. are lower per ton per mile than
in any country in Europe or in Eng
land. and the compensation Of em-
pIoyes Of the railroads are quite dou-
bic what they are in foreign countries
American railway employees are self
respecting citizens and not servants
who are objects Of contemptuous
abuse. as are those in Europe.
my experience in railway operation
lends me to believe that there is not a
single case Of wrongdoing on the part
of subordinate agents which would not
be promptly corrected if the injured
party would report the facts to the
higher executives. baltimore Amer
ican