Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-01-14
THE RAILROAD COMMISSION.

n we read the signs correctly, more
interest Is evinced now by the public
in the proposition to create railroad
commission for Utah. than when the
suggestion was first made. several
weeks ago At least the question is be-
ing argued from every point of view.
The News" has always lent its sup
port TO every business interest tending
to develop the country. We have rec
ognized the part the railroads have
played In the advance OF the State, and
SO have the Legislatures OF Utah. The
railroads have always been treated
with great consideration. They may
not have obtained any more than they
are entitled to; yet, IT is well known
and the managers of the roads know
better than anyone else. that In Utah
they have not been under the necessity
of spending lar c sums OF money IN or
der to obtain fair treatment, They
have, as rule. obtained NIL kinds %
valuable concessions without money
and without price" And IN this respect
they have been better of in Utah than
in some other states, Were they have
found 1t necessary to maintain eXpens-
I've Hobbies, Involving great expendi-
ture of money for the protection of
their interests and to secure fair treat
ment. II. therefore, we again refer to
the current discussion OF the railroad
commission proposition, we do so. not
IN the spirit of unfrlendiness to the
interests involved but in order TO give
our readers a perfectly impartial state
ment OF both sides of tho case,
Those who do not favor commission
argue that II would be too expensive n
luxury: that Il would be hurtful to the
interests OF the roads and that no other
lines would come into Utah after the
creation OF u commission,
To these objections the other side re-
plies that tho commission would save to
the public IN lower rates, moro than
the cost OF It's maintenance that IT
would further the interests OF the roads
instead OF retarding them. and that At is
the roads themselves, free from the reg
ulatlons of u commission, that prevent
further railroad building. The friends
OF the proposed measure maintain that
whenever a new railroad line IL planned
10 enter any section, those already
there spend vast sums of money to pre-
vent the extension. A commission, they
say. would see to II that free compeH-
ton would take he place OF monopoly
In this connection the scarcity OF
fuel r. made use OF as an argument
In favor OF commission, Right on
wrong the remark is freely made that
II the roads would spend little more
money for the purpose Of relieving the
coal famine, there would be one argu-
ment less In favor OF commission
But there Is another argument which
really outwelghs all the rest, aud we
desire to call special attention 10 that,
II II freely pointed out that two prone
inent railroad men, who are resl-
dents OF salt Lake CITY and heay-
fly Interested IN local newspapers. arc
among those who now are implorlng
the representatives of the people of
Utah 10 protect their railroad interests
A. the same time these wealthy mag
mates are doing all that the command
Of money enables them to do m the
way Of injurlng the people and the
Nipel ii7rftr ~ thn Hfato 10 t,efn