The Washington herald., 1907-02-18
DEMOCRATS AND RAILWAY CONTROL.

other powers that readily suggest them
! selves to the mind. 60 Yes; and in terms
so clear and emphatic that the meaning
OF such a declaration may not be misun-
derstood.
Government inefficient.
Representative Sullivan. Massachusetts
l-fD do not CD Yes, it is sufficiently
strong TO protect shippers. II you mean
| a government ownership of railways
plank. my answer is No" The monu-
mental failure of the United States gov
eminent to dig a canal involving only
$40 100000 IS a sufficient demonstration
/ Of government incapacity TO deal with
| large enterprises. I assume that you do
not want statement of reasons for op-
position 10 government ownership, al
/ though there are many, but it Is worth
while In this connection TO point out the
| inefficiency of government organization
| in large enterprises as illustrated by our
/ Panama Canal experience. The abandon
ment of the scheme Of government con-
struction and substitution Of contract
! is the strongest testimonial to the superb
/ ority OF private organization and capacity
| found in recent political history.
Consistently for Rate Regulation.
| REPRESENTATIVE Gambler. Mississippi
| I'd No. 60 While the law has not been
sufficiently tested TO thoroughly deter
mine whether il IS entirely sufficient or
not. still am Of the opinion that there
are provisions which could be added to
/ it which would strengthen 1t and make
/ il more effective 90 The Democrats
| have been consistent in the advocacy of
/ rate regulat ton. and have advocated il in
several platforms. and I am in favor Of
I putting Il IN the next platform, and con-
! tinue the battle until full victory for
| the people is won.
No Call for Ownership Now.
Representative spight. Mississippi-O I
am opposed TO government ownership OF
railroads While It Is possible that con-
ditions may arise In the future which
/ would change this view, I do not think
/ fl probable 90 I preteTmit your second
/ question because there has not been suf-
/ hcient test 10 determine what, If any,
/ changes are necessary
Mr.. De gArmOnd's Views.
Representative De Almond. Missouri
/ ID cannot answer by simple Yes" or
No" favor government ownership Of
railroads. If. or when. such ownership
! becomes necessary for the protection Of
/ the patrons Of the railroads and the pub
| lie in general If good. safe service "
rail be otherwise secured with reason
/ able rates for all, and practical equality
| for all-that is, with the poor and the
weak treated like the rich and powerful
| then there viii not be any necessity for
/ government ownership. But If. after
! fair test Of such legislation as may prom
/ Use us needed reforms, indicated, In part.
| by reasonable charges. safe ana comfort
! able carriage. and freedom from dis
! elimination On the way OF rebates and
/ other concessions to some. with compen-
satOry ext0rtion upon others. Il shall ap-
/ pear that regulations fail to regulate.
then I would favor fuller and more ef-
fectivc regulation through government
ownership. 90 To the first part OF your
/ second question. I would say ! fear not:
to the second. I say yes. I thought be-
fore and at the time of the passage of
the rate bill that Il might have been
made better, and what I then thought Of
the bill I now believe concerning the
law With the test which the law viii
have had by the time when the Congress
viii meet again. amendment and improve
ment should mean the same thing 80 Il
is too early 10 answer definitely YOUR
third iuterrogatory. II we We're now
making the platform, I would be willing
to put into IT q declaration expressive Of
the view indicated iu nav answer 10 your
first question: or. since regulation by law
has not yet been sufficiently tested to
enable ms 10 determine the degree Of its
effectiveness. I would also be willing 10
make no declaration concerning govern
ment ownership I would not be willing
now, and I am quite sure I would not be
willing In 1905, 10 declare fatty against
government ownership. or 10 make an
equiv0cai or uncandid double-ender dec
/ laration upon that OF any other subject
Present Law Experimental.
Representative Page, North Carolina
% 7 do not favor the government owner
ship Of railroads. 90 I desire TO say that
the Interstate rate bill enacted by the
first session Of the Fifty-ninth Congress
is, in my judgment experimental. in
some Instances provision for the prOtec-
ton Of shippers being easy Of evasion:
other sections imposing upon the trans
p0rt8tioD company useless and Onerous
burdens. 7 feel quite sure that IN a little
time all these defects will be clearly dis
covered and promptly remedied. and with
in a few years all transportation COM
effectively regulated IN the interest of
| the general public and al the same time
without hurt 10 the transportation BUSH
ness. 80 I should favor "a plank in the
next national Democratic platform de-
claring In express terms against govern
ment ownership of railroads, and with
equal emphasis favpring the proper gov
eminent regulation Of interstate traffic.
should Give Law Longer Trial.
Representative Small, North Carolina
Cd / am opposed TO the government own
ership Of railroads, either State or ma
tionaL Tt is possible to conceive the ex-
istence OF conditions which might make
this step necessary, but ! cannot think
these conditions will ever exist in the
United States % The answer to your
second question is more difficult / be-
iieyed at the time OF the enactment of
the amendment of 1906 to the interstate
commerce law, that ample power had
been conferred upon the commission to
protect shippers and regulate common
carriers While j have observed some
minor defects. yet ] think the present law
ought 10 have a longer trial before there
IS any attempt 10 make IL stronger or
more drastic. Ny observation has been
mat II Is less dincult 10 enact laws than
il is 10 find officials of integrity. ability,
and iirmness 10 execute the laws. This
is particularly true when such laws are
intended to regulate or curb the actions
and privileges Heretofore enjoyed by
strong and influential interests. The men,
bers of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission occupy positions of great resp0n-
sibility. requiring training, ability, and
industry, but particularly the exercise OF
an impartial integrity While the laws
should be effectively and impartially adj
ministered, at the same time the COM
mission ought to inculcate in the public
a more intelligent comprehension of the
relations of the ---S1road 90 our commerce