Arizona republican., 1909-08-23

eration several questions affecting rates to various points in the Terri tory but investigation has not pro- ceeded to point which justifies' the statement of conclusions at this time.
 Summarizing the rate situation in Arizona, as disclosed by investigation to date, it appears that while, gen orally speaking. freight rates affect ing this Territory are not out of line with the rates applying to the whole intermountain country, they are, nevertheless. as a rule unreasonably high and call for a downward revision. Indeed it seems to be conceded by most traffic officials that a careful revision of Arizona rates is necessary If there is to be a due regard for the welfare of the business interests of the Territory. To be sure. the rates on many commodities-for example on crude oil, ores, mining machinery and mining timbers-are. quite low and entirely satisfactory to shippers, some points excepted.
 If the decision of the Interstate Commerce Commission in the Spo- kane case is finally accepted as the proper solution of the northwestern rate problem. it would seem neces- sarily to follow that this decision will be taken as a basis for a revision of the west bound rates to Arizona points and in fact to all inter- noun tain territory. This fact is no doubt appreciated by the Interstate Com merce Commission, for that body Is to have hearings at various points in the west within the next few months at which, it is understood, it is the intention of that Commission to gath CT such information as will enable it to order intelligently a readjustment of rates throughout the Rocky Noun tain region. A rehearing of the Spo- kane case had been set by the Com mission for a date in June last, at Washington, and in order to protect the interests of Arizona shippers the secretary of this commission attended the meeting. The rehearing was post poned-in order. as above stated, that the Commission might gather further evidence relative to the needs of the entire far western country. If it shall appear advisable, the members of this Commission will attend one of the hearings and endeavor to pre- sent such facts as may be necessary in the interest of Arizona shippers.
 This being the first report of this Commission, it's members deem it ad visable to state the rule which in their judgment should guide their actions. And this rule may be stated in a single phrase: Compliance with the law, in spirit of absolute fairness and impartiality toward shipper and carrier"
 As already stated. the Commission in it's investigations to date has found that Gin it's judgmenD the prevail ing rates in Arizona are generally too high. In it's efforts to secure read justments of these rates, under the rule just stated. the Commission does not expect. nor hope, to please ex- tremists of either side.
 The duties of the Commission being advisory and judicial in character. Its usefulness depends almost entirely work is performed. The law clearly does not contemplate that the com mission shall become the advocate of every complaint submitted to it re- gardless of merit. On the contrary, it is the first duty of the Commission, after investigation. to determine whether, in it's judgment, a complaint is justly grounded. Having found that complaint has merit, it becomes the duty of the Commission to decide as to the extent of relief which should be requested and then insist that such relief be granted.
 If the considerable expense entailed upon the Territory by the creation of the Commission is to be justified-if, in other words, the efforts of the commission are to be made effective it must, of course, deserve, and have, the confidence and cooperation of shippers and of citizens generally.
 On the other hand, the Commission must, by fair dealing, deserve the respect of the common carriers. Were the Commission to permit it to ap- pear that it proposes to be unreason- able, prejudiced and unjust in it's dealings with common carriers. it would. first of all, find at once that its usefulness as an advisory body was wholly destroyed-railway officers would quite properly decline to con- sider any requests made by the Com,