The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1907-04-05
GOVERNMENT SHOULD
REGULATE RAILROADS
Position of President Roosevelt Set
Forth in an Address Made at
Raleigh, N. c.

the public to an address made by him
at Raleigh, in October, 1905, as en-
bodying his views. 1t is also expected
that he will give particular attention to
railroad control in his proposed James
town speech.
In Raleigh, the president spoke as
follows:
II do not believe in government
ownership of anything which can with
propriety be left in private hands, and
in particular l should most strenuously
object to the government ownership OF
railroads. But | believe with equal
frmnesS that it is out of the question
for the government not to exercise
supervisory and regulatory right over
the railroads, for it is vital to the we'll
being of the public that they should
be managed in spirit OF fairness and
justice toward all the public. Actual
experience has shown that it is not
possible to leave the railroads uncon-
trolled. Such system, or rather such
lack of system, is fertile i'll abuses OF
every kind, and puts a premium upon
unscrupulous and ruthless cunning in
railroad management, for there are
some big shippers and some railroad
managers who are always willing to
take unfair advantage OF their weaker
competitors, and they thereby force
other big shippers and railroad men
who would like to do dccently-into
similar acts of wrong and injustice, un-.
der penalty Of being left behind in the
race for success. Government super
vision is needed quite as much in the
interest of the big shipper and OF the
railroad man who want to do right, as
in the interest OF the small shipper and
the consumer.
Experience has shown that the pres
ent laws are defective and need amend
ING; in,ge;;;nt Tbff bbf csGiaerr5a, @ah'tds all ,. s",
49, unreasonable, is unw,se. "n"'
w ,eed Is TO have some admin's.f"''v~
,,od, with ample power to ioro'o e1 m,
bination that is hurtlul 10 u" ;rd;
and TO prevent iavorit'sm 10 o"e 7,
,,;dra, at the expense OF ano'.e''
', o-ds we want all administra'''
hodv with the power to secure 'a.' ."
~ .ra,tment as among all shipper
- who use the railroads, ana a' s",pf
have a right to use them. :,
"Rut in my Judgment the mos' >, -
nortant thing to do Is 10 CIV. .
administrative body power "
its findings effective, and TINS ~ 80
do,e only by giving power "he" ~ ~
.I,;nt IS made OF a given rate ID W
:.,st p or unreasonable, il 1t mas
.omplaine proper, then itsel' 10 ~
,, rate. which it REGARDS
inst and reasonable, this ra'e 49, ~
;,,o effect practically at once ."'
.;,,,;p = reasonable time, ana "
~ effect, unless reversed by the W W
..r,,;. i not a revolutionary PROV
. u.s. o,rt for only wish the
nower given in reference " a.
49, ;s now exercised as h'a'''
Course bv the national bank eSa"
&C regards national banks. -:
.Ir his address to the delega.'
railway employee
November IA, 1905, the fresiae"s :,
.There has been comparatively
complaint to me of the rates DC
,,hole too high. The mos'
.,,,n,a;nts that have been IN
have been OF improper oisc'
ton in railroad rates. .,o,
"But l am convinced tha' wv, ,
SO an increased regulatory anu
v;sorv power exercised by the
,ns,t over the railways II"
would like it exercised to I''.
er extent than have any 'oea
ing at the moment FOR .'s
would greatly like to have II
IN the matter OF over-eap''A''I
am convinced that the ""s
,vor,d be larger if there were
,;ous capital upon which d'v'd
20 be paid. need hardly say
1oss not mean hostility to we
shall act against the abuses
inst as against all other aous'
ALL want in and rate legisi;
Give the government an efhc'
y;cory power, which shall Dc
y. scrupulously to prevent
the railroads as to preve'"
;n;ustice to the public