The Washington herald., 1907-06-13
THURSDAY, JUNE l3. 1907.
A Courageous Executive Act.


Gov. Hughes has attained a new dis
tincuon. He is the first State executive
TO veto a two-cent fare bill Other gov
ernors have entertained much the same
opinion as Mr.. Hughes Of the unwise and
impolitic character Of legislation arbi-
trariIy reducing railroad fares, but # has
remained for the courag geOus chief mag
istrata Of the Empire State whose course
Of action has been notable for single
minded devotion 10 high ideals Of public
duty. TO stamp such legislation with his
disapproval. without fear Of thoughtless
misrepresentation Of his motives or ap-
prehension as to possible popular conse-
quences.
The main reason for the governors dis
approval of the two-cent-fare bill is that
better way has been provided by the
legislature for the regulation Of freight
rates and passenger fares. Under the
provisions Of the public utilities bin the
commission created by that legislation
has ample power 20 fix passenger fares
and freight rates. if. on inquiry. the ex-
isting rates and fares are found unrea-
sOnable and eXorbitaut Gov. Hughes
points out that the passage Of the two
cent-fare bill was not preceded by leg
islative investigation or suitable inquiry
under the authority Of the State" No
one knows whether the proposed reduc-
ton is fair or unfair whether il will
operate to the advantage Of the public.
or the reverse. whether il will so affect
the revenues OF the roads as to impair
their earning capacity and iniure the
owners OF the property. or whether the
statute itself would be sustained by the
courts. Yet the legislature rushed the
bill through on the general principle that
the railroads ought 70 charge so much
per mile, regardless Of any other consid-
GRAFTON than the length of the line. ir-
respective Of density Of traffic. expense
CT operation, or present rates Of fare.
which are in many cases less than the
rate fixed by the measure. 'In dealing
with these questions" the governor re-
marks. democracy must demonstrate its
capacity to act upon deliberation and TO
deal justly" The New York legislature
wholly ignored this excellent maxim Of
political conduct
Let no one be misled into the error of
setting down Gov. Hughes veto as a cor
poration victory. az his enemies have al
ready begun to assert. Il is far from any
thing Of the sort It is the judgment Of
just man upon what he rates a seri-
ously mistaken policy-the policy. to
quote his own words, "0f dealing with
matters Of this sort arbitrarily, BIZ legis-
latiye rule or general application. without
reference TO the demands Of Justice I'm
particular cases" That policy the gov
ernor condemns as threatening the sta
bility Of business enterprise. and as sub
sututing ''unreasOu for sound Judgment.
the ill-considered demands Of resentment
for the spirit Of fair play" making i'm
possible patient and honorable effort TO
correct abuses" Says he further.
1T IS Of the utmost importance that the man
agfmsnt of clr railroad corporations should be
subject 70 gtrct supervision by The State and that
regulations compelling the observance Of the law
and proper and adequate service should he ri-idIv
enforced Il is the duty Of the corporations to pro
vide transportation Of passengers and goods at rea-
sonable rates. and the State should compel the per-
formanca Of this obligation.
But injustice on the part Of railroad crrp9-
rlticns toward the public does not Justify injustice
On the part Of the State toward the railroad cor
poFations The fact that those IN control Of -ail-
Toad corporations have been gritty Of grossly i'm
proper fnarcerng and Of illegal and injurious dis
examinations in charges points clearly % the ueces
sity Of effective State action but does not require
or warrant arbitrary rcIizals.
1t is Of the greatest Importance not only that
railroad corporations should bc compelled 70 respect
their public obligations. but also That they should
b permitted % operate under conditions which viii
give a fair return for their service Upon this de-
pends not simply the security Of investors. but the
security Of their employees and the protection OF
every form Of industry and commerce through the
maintenance and extension az necessary trarsrert7
tion facilities. Nothing could be more opposed TO
the interests q the community as q whole than %
cripple transportation corporations hy arbitrary re.
ductioH oi earnings
That is the square deal for which Gov.
Hughes stands. Il surreuders naught
of public rights. nor does Il implv an en-
feeblement Of the power OF State control
over common carriers Il simply aims
70 put that control on a plane Of COM
mon justice 10 all the interests involved
and 10 take It out Of the sphere Of petty
partisan politics. We propose to regulate
public service corporations. says the GOV
ernor. in substance, but we propose to
do it with equity. and not with ven
geance; in justice, not in malice. If that
principle be unacceptable TO the popular
mind, then are we. indeed, upon evil
days
We commend Gov. Hughes veto mes
sage as combining uncommon clarity of
thought with sound common sense. Who