The copper era., 1909-09-02

to date, it appears that while, gen. erally 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 rule unreasonably high and call for downward revision. Indeed, it seems :to be conceded by most traffice 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, tke rates oI many commodities-for example on crude oil, ores, mining machinery aud mining timbers-are quite low and entirely satisfactory to shippers, some points excepted.
 If the decision of the Interstate Commerce Commission in the Spokane case is finally accepted as the proper solution of the northwestern rate problem, it would seem necessary to as basis for a revision of the west bound rates to Arizona points and in fact to all inter-mountain territory. This fact is no doubt appreciated by the Interstate Commerce Commission for that body is to have hearings at various points in the west within the next few months at which, it is un- derstood, it is the intention of that commission to gather such informa- tion as will enable it to order intel ligently readjustment of rates throughout the Rocky Mountain region. A rehearing of the Spokane case had been set by the commission for date in June last, at Washing ton, and in order 10 protect the in- terests of Arizona shippers the sec retary of this commission attended the meeting. The rehearing was postponed-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 en- deavor to present such facts as may be necessary in the interest of Ari- zona shippers.
 This being the first report of this commission, its 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 a spirit of absolute fairness and impartiality toward shipper and carrier.
 As already stated, the commission in its investigations to date has found that tin its judgment) the prevailing rates in Arizona are generally too high. In its efforts to secure read justment 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 upon the fairness with which it's WOl 10 nC law OlCdIly 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 its judgment, a complaint is justly grounded. Having found that a complaint has merit, it be- comes 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.
 1.-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 appear that it proposes to be uu- reasonable, prejudiced and unjust in it's dealings with common carriers, it would, first of all, find at once that it's usefulness as an advisory body was wholly destroyed-railway officers would quite properly decline to con- slider any requests made by the com mission. One of its two avenues of usefulness thus closed, the commis- sion thereafter could accomplish nothing except by proceedings be- fore the Interstate Commerce Con- mission. And not to dwell on the many disadvantages, such as delay and expense, which attach to pro- ceedings before the national com mission, it is obvious that the useful ness of this commission in that direction would likewise become greatly curtailed the moment it ap- peared to the Interstate Commerce Commission that this commission in I