The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-10
RAILROAD BILL
AIDS WATERWAYS
RanSde|I Pleased With Clause
That Has Been Adopted
PROTECTION IN RATES
Law VIII Keep Railroads From
working TO the Disadvant-
age of Waterways
BY wATTERsoN sTEALEy

Washington, May Especial. Repre-
sentative Ransdell of Louisiana, president
of the national rivers and harbors con-
gress, is elated over the adoption of the
long and short haul clause of the rail-
road rate bill which he regards as
tremendous step forward in the rehabili-
tation of the waterways of the United
States by prohibiting the railways from
making determinations against them Mr.
Ransdel In discussing tonight the long
and short haul feature of the bill which
was retained in the House by a vote o.
172 to As, said:
1T means that the old law on the sub
ject which has been a dead letter for
years, is amended by omitting the words
under substantially similar circumstances
and conditions. These words have been
construed by the courts to mean that in
serving places on navigable waterways
railroads were not obliged to observe the
rule prohibiting them from charging more
for a shorter than for a longer haul over
the same line in the same direction, and
that they could make any rate they de-
sired regardless of distance.
1.-THE passage of this particular feature
of the railroad rate bill means that the
country is thoroughly aroused to the
necessity of giving fair treatment to all
sections to small interior towns as well
as the large cities. 1t also demonstrates
beyond any peradventure that Congress
has awakened at last to the necessity of
protecting the waterways from unjust
railroad competition and discrimination.
"All the friends of river and harbor inn
provements in Congress supported this
provision and believe it's results are 60
ing to be beneficial to the waterways, not
Injurious to the railroads, and that in
the long run the people are going to get
cheaper freights.
For many years the practice of rail-
roads has been to charge small rates at
river points until the boats were driven
out of business, whereupon the railroad
rates would be raised and in the mean
time to recoup any losses at those points
by larger charges at all interior places.
ThtS cninot be conc. II the recent long
and short haul clause is finally adopted
and inforced in the spirit and as under
stood by its trainers.
Every locality under the provisions
| of the bill as it passed the House will
have to stand on Its own bottom and be
treated fairly. River towns will secure
| the natural benefits of cheap water trans
portation, which, when coupled with the
best modern terminals and facilities for
handling freight, will prove invaluable.
when the rivers come back to use, as
in the early days of steamboating in this
country. and as prevails today on the
French and German waterways, immense
volumes of freight will move by water at
rates so much lower than the average
ra n
to the union at large will be enormous.
1.-THE adoption of the long and short
haul clause in the bill amending sundry
features of the Sherman antitrust law
and the Hepburn rate act is not the
spontaneous outburst of American peo-
pie demanding equal treatment in the
matter OF freight rates but is rather the
elimination of sentiment that has been
growing for years, extending from the in
terror outward until 1t has become ma
tional thought and the Congress has
acted along these lines
That the census now being tabuated
will show an increase in population as
to warrant the addition of Ga members
to the House of Representatives Is pre-
dicted That such action will be taken by
the House. however, is a matter of ex-
treme doubt. The House is already un-
wieldy enough without enlarging Its pres
ent proportions 1t is likely that the pres
ent ratio of each congressional district
will be increased to a point which will
not cut down the House representation
of any state but at the same time will
add something to those states which
will show a material increase in popu-
lation.
Representative Underwood of Birming-
ham has had interviews with all men,
bers of the public buildings committee
for the purpose of obtaining their ap-
proval to the favorable recommendation
of the subcommittee for a 100000 site
for the postoffice at Birmingham. The
greatest objection is coming from Rep
resentative Bartholdt, the chairman, who
is arguing for the location of site near
the depot instead of in the business sec
tion. Barthodt claims that the new pub
lie building should be used for postoffice
purposes only, and should be. close to
the railroads. Incidentally this would
save considerable on the cost Of the site.
Mr.. Underwood is using his best efforts
to locate the site downtown.
1t will be late In the week before a
vote is reached in the Senate on the rail-
road BILL In the House Representative
Mann of Illinois says the vote tomor-
row to recommit the bill with instruc-
tlons to strike out the commerce unit
will be close but he expects it to be
carried. All information from the Whit.
House is to the effect that the President
will pursue the same policy as he did to-
ward the tariff bill and give Congress
virtually its own way in shaping the
measure only asking that something be