Arizona republican., 1907-01-14
ADMITTEDLY DEFECTIVE.

 preaching in the regulation of rail- roads. There is throughout the warI- ing an assumption that the roads re Quire regulation but there is vagueness as to the short comings which should be abol- ished. It is admitted that so far the regulation has been attended by embarrassment not only to the roads but to the country at large. The Times takes no stock in the statement which has been made in the interest of the interstate commerce commission and the government that the railroads have contributed to the embarrass- ment in order to bring the law into disrepute.
 However much the railroads migh- desire that such an effect might be produced the Times rightly concludes that there is no need of activity in that direction. The operation of the law itself is accomplishing this result.
 Taking into account the very com- plicated nature of the railroad busi- ness. the Times concludes that it was inevitable that a law framed on first trial should be found to be aboUnding in defects which will have to be remedied by numerous amendments.
 This is interesting in that it is the first admission we have heard from a newspaper which strongly urged the rate law as a specific for all railroad ills, that there should be a remOdeling of the legislation. and that only after trial and experiment will there be a fruition of the hopes or all who clamored for railroad regula- tion. We gather from the Times gen eral treatment of the subject. that none of these hopes are realized or are in way to be realized.
 People as a mass did not care about the management of the roads; it was nothing to them that there were mergers and combinations lawful and unlawful. There were only two things in which they were interested. One was the securing of reasonable rates. And not only reasonable, but equit- able as between communities. If tha railroads would not grant them they- hoped that the interstate commerce i commission would. The other was wish on the part of shippers that their rates should not only be reasonable but as low as those granted to any | other shippers.
 The latter condition may easily b. l brought about and is being brought | about. IL could have been as easily | effected under the old interstate com 1 merce law as under the present rate | law. The complaint of shippers was based upon system of discrimination | which competition had forced upon the | railroads and which they were glad to i abandon.
 But the establishment of reasonable | and impartial rates all over the coun- try is quite different matter. The railroads say they have not been able to accomplish il; the interstate com merce commission has not taken a step | in the direction of its accomplishment and il has received no intelligent dic- tation from any source as to how i. should be done. How are congressmer without any knowledge of railroading going to put an efficient instrument II into the hands of an executive body | equally guiltless of knowledge of the | intricacies of the railroad business.
 We have here our own case. Phoe- nix merchants have always justly com | plained of the discrimination agains, them in favor of California points Il They are required Co pay a through rate from the east to coast points. plus the local rate from the coast to Phoenix. IL has never been contended by the railroads that this is an equitable ar engagement but it was a necessary one forced upon them by California mer- chants
 ln this case the railroads are forced Into discrimination in favor of Cali foraia just as effectually as they were formerly forced into relating. This is a form of discrimination which the law does no. reach. It could Of course be made to roach St by a de- engagement Of tariff schedules from which the interstate commerce com mis- ica naturally shriaks and so cm- plOys its time in an investigation of The ownership Of roads in which the