New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-01
ATTACKS RATE BILL.
President MeLLem FQUors Govern
ment Regulation of Roads.
[By Telegraph to The Tribune.l


Hartford, Conn, Feb. 2s.-President Melen Of the
New Haven Road told Trinity College students
tonight that the reckless abuse of corporations
VIII stop, even if halted by nothing but the
haustion which comes with wreckage and dssi-
pated resources. He placed himself record in
favor of government regulation of railroads while
speaking on that general subject but he attacked
vebemently the present Rate bill as conceived in
spirit of revenge.
He pleaded for the cessation of irresponsible
abuse Of corporations by demagogues. He said:
II a public office Is a public trust no less is the
duty of handling the affairs of one of our large
public service corporations. and / OBJECT to no
recreant 10 their trust; indeed. L urge there be
their fun duty may be relieved from the unde-
served stigma and suspicion that may otherwise
come to light, as in the case OF recent lnVestlga-
There is much excuse that the public mind is
excited that wretched laws result that IN rage
innocent with the guilty, but
Much though there be. now IS more than ever
restraint. If We would avoid mistake This Is no
une Tor me haste Wnlch makes MAST, loe
ana the ultimate damage that Wl aus sIiSie
and confusion when we have time for renecuon,
the need Of efficient regulation of railroad corpora
tons. There should be tribunal to redress wrongs
successful and admittedly able men. If there IS
10 be oppression il must be by those we nave
chosen. and not by those chosen for us we can
bear the wrongs have imposed upon ourselves,
runs Counter to nature to accept without chance
of review the dictum of our nelghbor placed IN
power perhaps without approval. confidence
and often in defiance Of our judgment.
1t has always seemed to me it would be preiera-
pc 10Y the corporations and the pubic tiaC ~
regulation be by the general government rather
reasonable degree OF uniformity in the regulations
for the protection Of the public ana t dha Ies
follow from the frequent changes OF JurlsdlcIioh
When the rate bill first agtated by the
President in his message il was with qualification
! thought j 4 daWnlng III ralrOad
management and an improved relationship possible
between the reasonable portion of the public and
What Was needed was regulation, not restriction;
ayaiable for examination it was found TO be re-
yenge{nl and PuniVt drawn either IN 5 or
roads or the interests of the public than to concen
not necessary for the regulation the elimina
tion of abuses complained Of and WHICH, If con-
stituuonal gives power to derange eStapilSAed mar
llets TO an extent that If exercised VIII produce
The power 10 favor one section OF the country
and punish another. conferred by this act is too
direct taTes tbronpb our tarif from which many
- ~ 80 s,,STrj1s AZ The Irasent time and ny
yet produce as great inequalities in the distrlbu-
The necessity for such a law as enacted was
more than questionable. and that there has been
done under II: nevertheless the power to cause
has been under the provisions of other laws, the
enforcement of which had not been attempted be
An complaints could have been satisfied under
laws well known TO be in existence which there
was no effort TO enforce because OF the desire
secure greater power for a purpose not yet dis
closed.
Where majorities oppress the brains and money
will be driven 10 other fields where safety and
better results are obtainabe, and majority with
these all important forces of civilization makes
only for anarchy and ultimate disaster.
Unless the whole world runs mad at one and the
time there VIII always be some attractive
field for effort where may be enjoyed in comfort
and safety that which superior intelligence and
energy have accumula ted
When reaction coming on apace and II Is
too late, must settle down to period OF sur
fering and pTivatiOn until the constructive order
resumes ascendanCy.
At time when the division between parties Is
slight this agitation certainly Is proving n blessing
to our politicians in providing them with an issue
and the endeavors OF those who have vet to Gimp
upon the band wagon would be ludicrous were II
not for the damage being done the material inter-
asta Of the country moAnMnlLe-