New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-06-12
TWO-CENT FARE VETOED
UNJUST LEGISLATION.
Governor Would Haze Public Ser
JiceS Commission Deal zcitb Matter.


grounds that it i'll digested legislation and
that the Public Utilities commissions would have
ample power TO handle the situation. Governor
Hughes to-day vetoed the Baldwin two cents q
mile fare bill. In A careful. conservative mes
sage to the Assembly explaining his action. the
Governor pointed out that while this rate, arbt-
trary established. might not be unjust in some
cases or even in all the Legislature had nothing
to prove that contention. And injustice on the
part Of the railroad corporations should not
mistakenly be answered with injustice by the
Legislature, lest great harm be done
So we'll considered is the Governors veto mes
sage and so carefully worked out in justice to
both sides in the controversy that little danger
exists that even the most rabid anti-railroad
people Will term his action Corporation in
spired." Passage of the bill, he pointed out,
was not preceded by any investigation to get
bed rock facts Conditions varied TO differ
ent railroads, and what would be fair for one
might be essentially unjust for another This
principle arbitrary. and represented a ms
taken policy Even if other states had been
setting a precedent in similar legislation that
furnished no valid reason why this state should
follow, said the Governor for II the thing were
right proper investigation would establish It's
justice: while if it were wrong, no amount OF
precedent" should drag New York State into
improper action New York State Itself had set
a precedent IN the proper direction-the crea-
ton Of the Public Utilities Commission.
When the message was read AssemblyHan
Baldwin moved that the bin be passed, not"Ith-
standing the veto Of the Governor and that that
motion lie on the table 1t is generally accepted
that he will not press the motion He had little
hope that the Governor would sign his bill in
view Of the passage of the public utilities bill.
Governor Hughes's veto message was fol-
lows:
I return herewith, without my approval As
sembly bill 22G9 entitled
AN act TO amend the railroad law in relation
This bill. with specified exceptions provides
for a maximum passenger fare of two cents
mile upon the railroads of this state. Steam
railroads less than 100 miles in length which are
within the counties OF New York and Kings
(or within the limits of an incorporated city) are
permitted a higher maximum charge of three.
four and five cents mile, according TO length
Of line, unless through consolidation, lease or
control they form part OF a system whose COM
bined lines exceed $50 miles, in which case the
provision for a maximum rate of two cents a
mile is applicable.
The passage of the bill was not preceded by
legislative investigation suitable inquiry
under the authority Of the state. Nor Is the
fixing Of this rate predicated reports or salts
tics officially Collated which would permit fair
conclusion as 10 the justice of its operation with
reference TO the railroads within It's purview. 1t
plainly reflects dissatisfaction with existing
CONDITIONS and an efOrt to provide remedy
through arbitrary action. It seems largely TO
have been the result Of annoying requirements
and Determinations in connection with the sale
Of mileage books on certain roads.
The bill represents policy seriously mistaken
and pregnant with disaster. II is of the utmost
Importance that the management Of our rail-
road corporations should be subject TO strict
supervision by the state. and that regulations
compelling the observance OF the law and proper
ana adequate service should be rgdly enforced.
II is the duty Of these corporations TO provide
transportation Of passengers and goods at rea-
sonable rates. and the state should compel the
But injustice on the part of railroad corpora
tions toward the public does justify injus-
tee on the part OF the state toward the railroad
corporations The action Of government should
be fair and impartial, and upon this every cit
zen, whatever his interest, is entitled to IN
slsl. shal make matters not better but
worse II 10 cure one wrong establish another
Inc Iact that those In control OF railroad cor
PoTdllonS nave been guilty Of grossly improper
tnanciering and Of Illegal ana injurious discrin-
nations in charges points clearly TO the neces-
stty Of effective state action bur does not REQUIRE
or warrant arbitrary reprisals. In dealing with
these questions democracy must demonstrate
us capacity To act upon elaboration and TO deal
Justly.
It is Of the greatest Importance not only that
fa4lroad corporations should be compelled to
respect their public obligations bur also that
they should be permitted to operate under CON
oiuoHs which viii give fair return for their
service. Upon this depends not simply the Sc
cuIIty OF investors, but the security OF their
employees and the protection OF every form OF
INDUSTRY ana commerce through the mainten-
2nce and extension Of necessary transportstfor
! atIlIt4ts- Nctung could be opposed IN
me interests Of the community as whole
IMAM to cripple transportation corporation NV
arbitrary reduction Of earnings. II may he
sald that a tWo-cent passenger rate IS not 80
extreme as 10 have a very Injurious result R,lt
this is a debatable question. Large and pros-
porous suburban communities have been htilt
up through the offer OF Communication rates much
less than the proposed maximum TTUon Tho
maintenance of these rates many thousands ~
our citizens rely CONSIDERABLE differences exist
between the railroad corporations with resnecr
10 the territory they serve and the cost ~ cor
wee and II Is nifest that what would he fair
Tor one might be far from. fair for another A.
arbltraIY dislocation Of tariffs by the fiat ~ tho
LEGISLATURE without investigation is q matter
or serious concern. The best that could he ssi,l
Ior sucn IeSlSIatlon would be that II should he
regarded as an Isolated case and not as "a ,,raca
dent. For If fiat freight rates either TO- al
commodities or for different kinds Of cornr,oJi
ues were similarly 10 be fixed by the IegisIat
ure without investigation or proper ascertain
ineht OF thelr justice, our railroad business and
be thrown into confusion. 'u'u
do not mean 10 be understood as sa,,i,,,, ,l,,
a maximum tWo-cent passenger rate IvoI7I5 ~
unreasonab bly, low. It might be high e,o,,ai ~
many cases. Possibly It would be bigb or35,,,at
IN all cases l fully appreciate the fact tbat
nose VINO nave promoted this bin believe thar
such a rate would be fair But | deem, ~ ,,a-t
important that the policy of dealing win ma
tiers Of this sort arbitrarily by legislative r,,I
Or general application without reference n r.
demands OF justice in particular cases should ia
Every workingman every tradaS
man and every citizen believing himself to ba,,o |
aught at stake I'm the prosperity of The co,it 80 |
should determinedly oppose ii. For II nor 49, |
threatens the stability Of business enta-rrtea
"hich makes our prosperity possible but II sub
9ututes unreason for sound judgment the an |
considered demands Of resentment for the snirit