New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-01-12
ROADS NOT BADLY HURT
COMMERCE BO4RD RFpona
Discussing Hartman, Asks Cono,.s.,.
action to Secure Full Inrestipot;;o.

washington jan 1.-THE Interstate C,
COMMISSION transmitted 70 Congress -
tWenty-secOnd annual report II s,s.. ay 10
temporary financial depression from 49, ~ ne
country IS now emerging resulted in the a.. ne
OF railway revenues considerably below ,E .-l0a
point reached in 1897. the banner wear =, -7 hsa
railroad history in respect Of gross ana can
ings. as well as volume Of traffic and -, Earn
eral instances the necessity FOR placin, - ssv-
properties in the hands Of receivers va ,'Osd
partly due TO the serious and unexpected - - or
in earnings In view, however OF the 49, -'01eass
lated reports that the loss inflicted mon = Ni'el-
roads so severe as TO warrant 1,,t 'e raj
vances IN rates OF reduction in wages or - al-
interesting 10 note that the gross ear,f. - 4 ls
railroads for 1905. although Sl64 1851 ls al
gross earnings for 1907, were SIS So 47e in
the gross earnings for 1896 and s34s15s IN in
OF those for 1903. and that the net earnfoy. s IS
although S11l O51.oos less than for 1907 and "a 80
less than for 1906. 81 SOS 5t4 in excess 40
for 1896 These figures indicate that wbataya
have been the fact n individual cases the "a
OF the country a whole old not suffer so so
in comparison with years OF normal tra4,, ~
business conditions may have senerauv s.D l@
supposed
In z. H Hartman agt- Interstate COmp.srca =,
mission. decided December IA. 1908. the S.
Court Of the United States held reversf,v - ~
cision OF the Circuit Court. that the appslsD, go,
not be required TO answer certain gues,sors -
pounded 70 him by the commission This s,.,..-
has a somewhat important bearing upon tha -
OF this body which Congress should understand
This commission in administering this povv. .
investigation which It has assumed to sxero,. =
the past. has repeatedly held that the prisaa A.,
ings Of individuals IN private matters could m, :
inquired into. II has. however. ruled thar n ~
inquire TO the fullest extent into the ousra-,o-s
railroads and the officers OF railroads. Tha T,s.
Pacific Railroad Is not private enterprise-k,
government. public function It's stOcss a,
worthless except as they derive value from :.
charges which are imposed upon the public hr =.
rendering Of this public service. In the ourl. =
this commission, when Mr.. Hartman assurs,
troll OF the Union Pacific Railroad he csasesnI,
a private individual 70 that extent and a, "a
longer claim protection, which. a private usr~
engaged In a strictly private pursuit he mEr y
sist upon It its opinion hat he might pro,
erIy be required state whether as an lndrisu1
ne had sold to the Union Pacific which he e',
troiled. stocks belonging 10 himself and Il 80 ts,
he should further be required 20 state what nm.
he had individually made out OF this transscrsa
II this gentleman is allowed to accumulate from
the manipulation Of these public agencies vast s,
OF money which must finally come from the soav
OF the people we think he is trustee Of TIA
people that he cannot object 70 stating the manner
In which these Accommodations have been made
The Supreme Court. however. Is Of the contrary
opinion, and the commission can, of course oaly
suggest 70 Congress that n there is % 5s any tuH
Investigation by the federal authorities Of thsss
financial dealings some action must be taken By ths
Congress.
without making any specific recommendation ne
report discusses the means OF proper regulation Of
railway capitalization. and the commission legs
this opportunity OF expressing Congress It's t1iz
nent that some adequate method OF federal con-
troll over railway capitalization is required By
interests involved