The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-08
THE SHIPPERS AND THE CAR
UIEUS.

RIERS.
Some OF the newspapers arc rather
severe in their comments on the Wick
ersham pursuit of the Western rail
roads The Springfield Republican, a
God fearing newspaper, generally
speakfng, is inclined to fear that
.politics is playing the chief part in
Influencing the Administration in this
matter" the New York sun asks If
Wickersham is merely making adroit
and sensational use for political pur-
poses of the technical opportunity af-
forded TO him by the failure of Con
gress to carry ont his chiefs recon-
mendations?" tho Boston Herald re-
marks that Mr.. Wickersham has a
reputation for cleverness and sharp
ness as a lawyer second 70 none and
the New York Times makes the very
good point that while under tho sher-
man law the railroads are free to
TO. or whenever they are ordered to
do so by the Interstate Commerce
Commission" they ARE barred, once
they have lowered a rate, from ever
raising it again.
We do not believe that Mr.. Taft has
had any other idea in the litigation
now happily hung up than a wholly
sincere and honest purpose Of pro
tecting the interests of the people who
use the railroads in the transaction
of their business The error he made.
IN our opinion, was venial rather than
mortal. and he made it, or permitted
Wickersham to make it, which is very
much the same thing, because neither
he nor Wickersham was we'll advised
of the facts in the case. The railroads
In making the increased rates pur-
sued the form followed by them for
the last ten years-tiled with the In
terstate Commerce Commission the
new schedules of rates as they have
been doing with other rates for the
last ten years. notified all shippers OF
their intentions and proceeded about
their business in a wholly business
like and lawful way. There was
nothing concealed or surrepttious il
their conduct; they were as open a,
the day, and Wickersham, who is de-
kcrihed as lawyer possessing clever
ness and sharpness second to none, did
not look at but one side of the shield
SO to say. What's Wickershar for ex-
cept to take the blame for this annoy
ing and altogether unnecessary show
of authority and upon Wickershan's
head let all the chips fall Mr.. Taft
Is not to blame. He had not talked to
the railroad people more than four
hours before he discovered way out
of the dilemma. The railroads with
drew the rates and the President
withdrew the suit. There would have
been no suitsif the. President and the
railroad people had understood each
other before the suit was begun. This
much appears 10 emerge from the sit
uation
The only point that is not quite
clear is why it should always be as.
sunled that the railroads are in tn,
wrong. We believe that the record.
of the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion will show that in rs per cent. O
the cases presented to .shat body, in
Nestigation has proved beyond tn
shadow of a. reasonable and intc!ligen
doubt that the railroads have bee,
within their rights and obedient to III
law Yet it was reported by the Asso
ciated Press yesterday that "an tina
President Taft has desired is that III
Interstate Commerce Commissio
should have authority 10 in
Vestigate increases in rates /
determine whether or not they al
justified BY prevailing conditions an
are just TO The shippers" This powe
will be conferred under the new raj,
road Law, Would it not be entirel
lar II the shippers should be require
now and then to show why their de
nands should not be investigated be
lore they are granted? Why is
mat the railroads are always regarde
as in the wrong before either sid
OF the case has been heard? VIVA
justice Is there really in jug-handle
justice? Are the shippers inyariabl
Just3 Have we not all heard /,
townships and counties thar nav
voted by great majort,ios bonds In al
OF the construction OF railroads an
that after Tbs roads were constructe
irted to escape the payment Of the
obligations? Now that the damae
suit business appears TO be losin
ground little would IT not he i,I,
TO inquire first whether or NOT II
shippers are right before assunain
that the carriers are wrong?
In the present case tho railroac
claim that they cannot afford 10 ha
fretghts at the old rates without 10
Ing money Under the wholly annie
BILE adjustment Of the Wickersha
prosecution reached on Monday. Il
railroads will De cut out of their ne
essary revenue on the freights tn
shall carry from now until the-sno
rate lay shall so into effect w
Will make their losses good? TIL