Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-01-15

into the pocketbook or every man IN thlS
city and territory and it is no overstate-
ment to say that upon the equitable
freight rates secured by this organiza-
tion depend to an ~spreclable extent the
living expenses and home comfort of hun
dreds of families. Its service has been
for the whole people as well as for mer-
chants
But there was another feature to this
banquet which is of national as well as
local interest. The, addresses made by
Governor Hoke Smith, Hon. Judson c,
Clements. of the interstate commerce
commission, and Mr. w A. wimbish. the
distinguished freight rate attorney, all
seemed to gravltate about this central
idea: That the interstate commerce. COM
mission should be given more ample
and definitely regulated domain in the
making Of railway transportation rates.
This is undoubtedly one Of the most In
sistent problems that concerns the legiS-
lator and the individual citizen today IL
state and national government are 70
reach the full measure OF their efficiency,
this problem must be satisfied IL IN
wolves the agricultural and industrial
prospect of every section OF the union
and through these two, 1t touches the
material welfare of every citizen.
The three speakers mentioned each
contributed a personal point Of view to
the general question. Governor Smith
! urged the need OF requiring railroads to
submit proposed changes in their tarins
to the Interstate commission before put
ting these changes into effect. The time
illness of this suggestion must impress
everyone who has followed the recent
history of rate litigation. AS matters
now stand it is possible for railroad
line. or as is actually the case for
combination of railway lines, to impose
almost any burden of increased rates they
choose upon the shipper. And the shipper
must continue to pay that increase until
he has prosecuted his case through three
federal courts with all the attendant ex-
pense and laws delay. Thus 1t happens,
, that frequently by the time the justice Of
his claim has been granted, the substance
tered away. If railway companies were
compelled to submit proposed rate in
creases to the commission, such injuries
would be largely If not wholly avoided.
Governor Smith very properly declared:
Trained railroad men of the commits
sion are better fitted to pass upon rail-
way matters that concern the practical
interests of the roads and the public
than a Judge is"
Hon. Judson c.. Clements clinched this
same idea when he said: THE roads
can put up more rates in 80 days than
the commission can begin 70 near IN
year" What Mr.. Clements had to say
on the Importance of the commission be-
ing authorized to appraise the physical
value of roads was specially opposite.
Such a course would prove an excellent
remedy for the stock-watering disease.
Perhaps the most striking utterauce
of the evening was that Of Mr.. win-
bIsh. The tendency toward Capitalization
of railroad power is now so pronounced,
he pointed out, that unless the govern
ment assumes wise direction over this
great field OF enterprise, we shall tnevi-
tably drift into government ownership OF
transportation lines, He argued from his
weil-seasonCa experience In such matters
that the commission. not the roads should
have the rate-mal1ing power. And when
It is reflected that freight rates deter
mine a large part of the nations earn
ing capacity and profit, his argument
grows in conviction. Mr. Wimbish's sug-
Al
vided into two branches, one administra-
tive and the other judicial, is particularly
interesting Present conditions would
seem to indicate that It will form tho
starting point of important changes which
the next decade must bring in the gen.
eral functions and power Of the mtea-
state commerce commission.