Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-11-24
HARTMAN ATTACKS
R. R. RATE LAW
Says Powers of Interstate Commission
Is a Menace.
THEY CONTROL ALL RAILROADS

Kansas City Mo. Nov. PIE. H.
Hartman. the railroad president, at
tackled the present law regulating rail.
roads In a speech nj the Trans.Mis
sissippi Commercial Congress. He as
serted that the power given the inter
state commerce commission was dan
gerous to the railroads and to the in
dustrial interests OF the country. Mr.
Hartman said
"Thc impression prevails that con
troll more miles OF railroads than any
other man. That statement Is made
frequently. deny H. it is not true. ]
do not control one mile OF railway ]
do not believe in one man or any one
company controlling vast interests OF
this kind. There are 1900 or $4,000
persons who cooperate in the control
OF railroads and other corporations In
which am interested. one man could
not do the work and do 1t right.
Last year this congress passed a
resolution antagonistIc TO the general
clamor that increased power be given
To the interstate commerce commission
in the regulation OF railroads and other
corporations Your contention was that
the sherman antitrust law gave the
commission sufficient power TO correct
existing evils But since your con
grcss passed that resolution the con
gress OF the United States has passed
measure which is now law. that
gives 10 the interstate commerce com
mission almost unlimited power. The
commission is given the power To con
troll all of the railroads Of this coun.
try II is composed OF seven men, and
four of these men constitute quorum,
which can control all of the transpor
tation lines OF this country.
Il do not want to criticise the com
mission believe 1t acted in good
faith when ii said II needed more
power But the president in his Har.
risburg speech intimated that still
greater power should be conferred on
the commission Now. before any fur
Their action is taken | should like 10
see how the power which exists under
the present law will be used. Perhaps
It may not be necessary for the com
mission to act under the new law. |
hope not
III the commission makes a mistake
In the use OF its power. conditions NAV
onsuc from which the business inter.
csts OF this country will not recover
in a decade The transportation bust.
ness is the most vital Tor the develop
mont OF the country No community
could prosper without transportation
facilities Your success and the sue.
cess of the interests you represent de-
pend largely upon the transportation
lines of the country.
IL think the railway traffic men have
learned by this time that they do not
make rates. but equalzc them Tho
rates are made by the communities
served by the railroads Common cen.
ters must be treated alike. You could
not disturb rates at this distribution
center without affecting all other dis.
tributing centers The rates are con.
troilcd by commercial necessities.
But under the new law the rates
controlled from commercial necessity
now may be controlled by political op.
portunty The politician may promise
a reduction in rates for election 20
office
1.-THE railroads have reached almost
the limit of economy in transportation
If the rates are to be lowered the rail
roads must be able to carry traffic at
less cost than now. If the railroads
are too soon subject TO a reduction OF
income. where is the money coming
from to develop the railroads further
and to develop your intcrests?