The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-12-21
The Abused Commission.

One of the easiest things in the
world to do is to find fault. This OBJ
servation is suggested by the criticism
of part Of the. state press, directed
again the railroad commission. A good
many newspapers arest taking seriously
thersss.coomplainta lodged with Governor
johnson by a young legal. fire alarm,
and are urging the governor. to take
action under it.
What action could he takes No
judge would give ten minutes consid-
Grafton to such a. complaint. To use a
legal phrase, it does not state a cause
of action. It pours out opprobrium on
the commission, but does not accuse it
5of any specific act against. the interests
of the people, either committed or omit
ted. In the absence Of some. definite
charge the complaint has no standing.
!. AS already remarked, it is easy to
find fault: 1t is easy for imitation La
sFollettes and "Brummagem'' Roose-
svelts toAassulne,' the role Of. tribunes Of
the people, to accuse men in office of
trucking and dishonesty, and to rouse
popular feeling by practicing the arts
of the demagog. The irony of the stu
alton lies in the fact that the much
abused commission is doing more in the
people s interests now. than ever before
in it's history. Ever since the legisla-
tive investigation two years ago, the
commission has been investigating the
general subject Of i rates. It has in
progress the task Of making a valua-
ton of railroad properties in the state,
which, when finished, will be a sound
basis for rate making. , Tt has reduced
merchandise rates 20 per cent. It has
secured voluntary reduction Of grain
and coal rates, and is now preparing
another order for general reduction
in grain, coal, lumber and other COM
modities. The railroads and the rail
road organs are down on the commits
sion for its activity, while agitators are
cursing it for subservience to corporate
power. 1t is a wonder the commits
sioners do not finch under such a cross
fire. Certainly it is poor encoura gement
for a public official to perform his
duty. ..r...
In the years when the commissioners
were inactive, and open to criticism
for. their do-nothing policy, the people
seemed Indifferent. Now when they are
trying to accomplish something, they
seem to have no friends at all.
It is idle to say that the commits
sion ought to have made sweeping re-
ductions without a prolonged investiga-
ton. In the first place, the inyestiga
ton was invited and prolonged by the
very people who are :loudest in their
criticism. Then it must be remembered
that the commission orders are not
final. They must be so framed as to
stand the test Of an appeal to the
courts. 1t is better to get partial re-
ductions Immediately than to make a
big reduction and have it set aside by
the courts as confscatory, after years
oR&litigation, with the old excessive
rates continued in force.
The commissions chief service to the
people just now is in securing rate re-
daetions. Information as to political
contributions by railroads would be
highly interesting, but would put moth
ing IN the pockets of shippers and con.
islanlers. y would have only 4 remote
bearing on the; subjects sof innsvestiga.
ton. 1T seems to- 7 b rs 10 Ut n a
that the commission has been TOO con
Sentative in its attitude toward the
railroads, and too meek under the as.
sanlts Of blatant attorneys. For these
mist akes il has suffered On the other