Omaha daily bee., 1908-01-07
RATE INCREASE IS PROBLEM
Interstate Commerce Commission
Makes Annual Report.
RESTS ENTIRELY WITH RAILROADS
number OF Accidents aad Lous Of Life
Matter for ActioR-Complaints
BeiRE FiIed In Large
Members.

WASHINGTON. Jan. s-Nore siGnifi-
cant and important. perhaps. than any
other statement in the tventy-first an
nual report Of the interstate Commerce
commission. which was transmitted today
10 congress is that relating 10 the atu-
tude Of railway officials toward the new
railroad law in a discussion Of the oper-
alton Of the act the commission says:
BY railway managers almost without
exception the amended Law has been ac-
cepted in good faith and they exhibit for
the most part a sincere and earnest dis
position to conform their methods TO its
requirements
The commission adds that II was not
expected that reforms could Be brought
sbout without difficulty or delay. but il
is unquestionably the fact that great
progress has been made and that further
Improvement is clearly assured. To a
gratifying extent there has been read
Justment OF rates and correction Of abuses
by the carriers themselves. Methods and
usages OF one sort and another which
operated 10 individual advantage have
voluntarily changed and il is not too
much TO say that there is now a freedom
from forbidden DETERMINATIONS which is
actual and general 10 q degree never be
fore approached. AS this process goes
on, as special privileges disappear ana
fayoritism ceases 10 be even suspect cd. the
indirect, but not less certain, benefits Of
the law will become more and more ap-
parent
Construction of New Law.
The amended act has been in force .
little more than sixteen months and the
commission points out that a considerable
part Of its time during the last year has
been occupied in giving administrative con
struetion to various provisions Of the law
for the guidance OF both shippers and car
riers. An incidental respect in which
equality Of treatment has been promoted
is in such matters as switching terminal
demurrage. reconsignment. elevation and
other charges making up the aggregate
cost Of transportation. Respecting these
matters, the report says.
II is this general and marked improve
ment il transportation conditions that the
! commission observes with special Eratffi-
cation. The amended law with its enforce
able remedies, the wider recognition Of the
fundamental justice, the quickened sense
Of public obligation on the part Of railway
managers, the clearer perception Of ship
pers Of all classes that any Individual
advantage is morally as well as legally.
indefensihle. and the augumented influence
Of the commission resulting from its in
creased authority have all combined 10
materially diminish offensive practices Of
every sort and to signally promote the pur-
Z poses for which the law was enacted"
/ Since the new rate law became effective
} on August & lgS the commission has
granted relief in the form of corrective
orders in many cases. Up TO November 4
+ 1851, the commission rendered decisions in
+ lb contested cases under the act In
forty-five Of these cases orders were MAJ
against the defendant carriers. in forty
five the complaints were dismissed. and in
the remaining fifteen no orders were made
In every instance, except one. the orders
Of the commission were complied with
promptly. In the exceptional case the
4 Delaware LackEwanna d Wectern rail-
road carried the order into the United
States courts but pending a decision by
f the courts, is complying with the order OF
/ the commission.