The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1910-09-01


cial of sufficient eminence to fix his
own salary at fancy figure, could
in the battle for control of the ma
jority stock, like a veritable Joshua.
command the dividends and Interest
installments TO stand still, or wishing
to send those same stocks killing TO
a premium Just before unloading
them on the market or issuing more
bonds, declare a dividend that would
make Standard Oil stock look weak
and sickly. when he had bought a
line he could issue millions and mil
lions of bonds. ostensibly for i'm
provements. adding thousands TO the
annual burden of the road. and
maybe, some OF that money did go
for improvements, we have no means
of knowing.
Now. Mr.. Ripley says he thinks the
earnings should be used for improve
ments and extensions. and. most GER
tainly, any business man would ex-
pect the earnings OF his business to
pay for its own development. Con-
sequently, the railroads have now
placed themselves in a position to be
taken seriously, and Mr.. Ripley's fig
lures may be studied by the shippers.
who protest against the advance on
the ground that the earnings already
are large enough. The decision OF
the commission will be based on the
facts of the case. The shippers can
not fall out with Mr.. Ripley's theory
But of more Importance that the
increase in rates will be a settlement
of the mooted question of discrimin-
alton. All over the country towns
and cities are complaining that rail
roads are treating them unfairly, and
they produce statistics that to a tyro
look like confederation; but railroad
tariff making is question for ex-
perts. and il will be as much to the
advantage of the railroads as TO the
shippers and the general public 20
have this matter determined. II there
is no discrimination. the railroads
are entitled to Official exoneration.
Then, II the rates are raised they
will be raised in such a manner as
to discriminate against no section.
the railroad rates win go into the
cost of manufacturing. and Mr.. "Ulti-
mate Consumer" will pay the ad-
vance. II Is always the innocent by
stander. who is shot in the duel.
II has always seemed to us that
in the matter of rates. particularly
passenger rates. the public has taken
the wrong point of view. Lower
rates. not better service and greater
protection. has been the cry In
those states where the two cent rate
has been adopted people are happy
because travel is cheap. and do not
seem to care, that while railroads
and railroad and interurban crossings
have multiplied. the population has
Increased and traffic become heavier.
all possible precautions to prevent
accidents have not been adopted.
Double tracks, the latest automatic
systems to prevent collisions, and the
abolishment OF grade crossings are
not only desirable, but the govern
men ought to compel railroads to
adopt them. and the cent a mile
more that 1t might cost a passenger
10 ride, or two cents, II necessary TO
pay for II, would not be an excessive
insurance rate, considering the fact
hat, better than insurance. 1t does
not indemnify for injuries done but
the injury.
The suggested aggressive action of
he railroad men in demanding the
names of complaining shippers. that
hey may bring into the case the per-
,entage of profit these shippers will
receive under the increased rates. is
l mistake too big for men of their
,alibre to make. The profits OF the
shippers have nothing to do with Il.
The consumer must pay the freight
rate, whatever 1t is, and the rates to
be charged by the railroads must
Atptnu upOn inc tOol vi operating
he railroads. not on the private bus-
ness OF those who use the lines. We
have other ways of preventing ex-
iortion by them. The govern
ment is not a referee to de-
termine how the railroads and the
shall divide up the
profits they make off the consuming
public. This interstate commerce
commission is part of the govern
ment. 1t represents the people, and |
their right to inquire into these mat
tiers has long since been determined. |
No one can honestly object to the in |
luisitorial powers of the commission;
Il Is performing a proper function.
and those, who treat 1t fairly, will |
receive fair treatment-but no more.
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