The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-01
President Ripley, of Sante
Fe, Presents His
Views.

The Railway Journal Of Chicago
through its editorial stan has sent out
letters 10 various prominent railway Of
fclals outlining its ideas relating to
legislation that is likely to come before
the next Congress.
In explanation, the Journal says: THE
intention of this form Of inquiry is TO
give chance for presentation and con
sideration of the railway question in the
press Of the country and by free inter
change of opinion between the railways
through their leading men and the pub
lie through the editorial leaders 10 en-
courage what Is good and diseredit what
is bad for the respective interests. The
premise for celebrating a fair argument
ought to assume that what is ultimately
Injurious for one interest is detrimental
TO both.
THE consideration Of the matter by so
prominent and conservative a nan as
president Ripley of the Santa Fe sys-
tenn Of roads, presenting his views IN
calm and logical manner, must command
respect and attention His recominehoa-
lions seem TO offer a solution OF sol1e
intricate problems. The privilege oi
combining parallel lines subject 10 GOV
eminent approval is an excellent sus Uses
zion for regulation without distur oins
rlsns for an economic policy in obeying
the Interstate Commerce law ana WIN
out imposition upon the puohc-
Form Of Inquiry.
Below is the Railway Journals FORM
If inquiry and following thereon ftesA-
dent Ripley's letter of August =
.9rhe Railway Journal is OF the oPlh-
ion after a careful inquiry, tnat IN inc ne
next Congress public sentiment win
favor the following propositions ior III
creased or amended legislation reguiat-
! ing railways. ..o.,-
we viii be very glad to have your
views for publication, If agreeable. CON
/ corning the effect Of the legislal0h an
+ tlcipated, and will treat whatever you
may say In the fairest manner and Win
the idea In mind Of giving the puhhc an
onportunitv to consider the question
/ from all sides.
..Tbe following is our estimate Of prob
able legislation:
..-irst-Prohibition Of railway consoh-
dation when the combinations Include
lines that are actually parallel or tha'
may easily become so in effect IN their
/ business relations with each other
/ .-second-Prohibition of joint owner
/ shin in parallel lines. and entire sepaTa-
ton Of directories and official staff
! s.Tbird-PermissIon 10 pool earnings
/ betveen. lines. subject TO the approval OF
agreements by the Interstate Commerce
/ Commission. and the filing Of same VIII
/ the commission
/ ..Fourth-Perulission 10 form and con
/ duct associations for the PRONUNCIATION
of rates and the Issuance Of tariffs
| This authority will be with the approval
/ c+ the Interstate Commerce Commission
aad the Hing With the COMMISSION q a.
/ publications relating to rates
! IS. Prohibition Of the unrestricted Issue
] % securities for extension Of old lines
/ and construction Of new ones, such Sc
curities hereafter to be issued after IN
/ vestlgation and approval by the Govern
n,ent through rs properly choseI
agents. To this prohibition viii be add
81 Il clause. we believe, fOrbiddlng I'M
! use Of the surplus Of any road IN th'
/ purchase Of stock Of any other ROAD
/ unless il can be clearly shown that saci
/ surpIug is not required for the better
/ -nent and maintenance Of the property
and then only can It be used for the par
| chase Of stock in connections that form
q continuous through route and IN n'
! way interrupt the control or operation
! OF another parallel line.
I'VE believe further that in addition t.
this public sentiment viii possibly b!
that time, and If not ere long, favo
the repeal OF the Sherman anti-trus
law, because il IS cumbersome and in
effective, and in conflict with economi
methods taat could be operated advan
tageousIy under tie regulation Of tn
Interstate Commerce Commission.
President Ripley's Letter.
4. Dear sir: I have yours Of the 21s
instant, inelosing memorandum outlining
certain probable legislation during III
next session Of Congress, and asking 70
an expression OF my views cOncernin
same;
u. Prohibition Of railway consolidate
| vVher, the combinations include lines tina
are actually parallel or that may easn
become so in effect in their business re
lations with each other:
Il sc no reason for an sbsolut
prohibition OF this nature-on the con
: trary, ! think there are many case
where consolidation OF parallel lines
clearly TO the advantage of everybod
concerned whether as shippers, or car
riers, or producers, or consumers. 1 al
very clear that there should be no &C
, tual and absolute prohibition Of sue
ConsOiida ton. The most that should b
done in this lire is to provide for its az
/, prevail by the Government before it
carried into effect.