The Irish standard., 1910-08-13

his commonwealth. To the degree
that our government can establish ane
maintain Reasonable transportation
charges, its sovereignty protects the
people in matters of food and shelter
which in it's final analysis means life
and happiness.
Under the constitution and existing
laws the railroads can make the rates
but the government can determine
their fairness. Great sovereign pow.
er is thus delegated to railroad mag.
mates, who in Its exercise have grow
arrogant and resent the restraining
influence of the Government.
Theoretically our plan of railroad
regulation should succeed, but prac-
tically it's success depends so much or
the wakefulness of the people and the
fidelity of public servants, that grave
doubts have arisen and thoughtful
men are anxious, seeing indications ir
the ever increasing cost of living and
general discomfort and noting in the
constant control of money in large
affairs in government and social life
that government control Is a broken
reed in the hands of government
controlled, and that the special in
paired, their rate making sovereignty
WILL when beaten in their resistance
to regulation to be found controlling
the regulators in the practical politics
of the republic.
Commerce Commission Handicap.
Since its organization the Interstate
Commerce Commission has been han
dicapped by lack of power from Con-
gress. The railroad lobby at Wash
ington has always convinced, or per-
suaded, lawmakers that it would be
dangerous to confer such a mighty
power as rate making on any tribunal
or commission; that traffic men could
more safely be trusted that physical
valuation of the railroads was expen-
sive and unnecessary. A considerable
number Of statesmen were always
willing to be convinced or persuaded
to these absurd propositions, and con-
sequently the failure of the commits
sion to tighten the burden of the peo-
pies transportation tax should be
charged to the lawmakers and back to
the electors themselves.
In spite of the commission and in
sight of Congress, traffic men with
infinite skill. have succeeded in raising
rates while other officials were bun
Going the public with talk of lowering
them. Changes in classification and
rules governing minimum weights are
made by wholesale with great profit,
while lower rates on specific articles
are retailed with wide publicity.
Much controversy is rife through
out the nation on the problem OF
transportation. 1t is a wholesome con-
dltion. When dissatisfaction is wide
spread it naturally stimulates a broad
inquiry into contributive causes that
are responsible for results far from
satisfactory to all concerned.
With lawmakers dominated by the
transportation interests: with the
commissions authority constrained by
the courts: with cities clamoring for
advantage, or against discrimination
in rates; very little has been done for
the producers and public generally
The people have more power than
the special interests. but the peoples
strength is sleepy while money never
rests. Restless men are needed in
larger numbers and the magnitude OF
the task should not deter individuals
who can see injustice inviting refor-
nation and redress.
Two reformers in Minnesota have
recently demonstrated the stupendous
power of the citizenship of an indi-
vidual when it sets in motion the
machinery of the government.
George S. Lotus, a hay man of Min
neapolis; and Benjamin E. Sundberg
a farmer of Kennedy, complained to
the government that sleeping cars and
express rates were unreasonable. The
commission ordered hearings. Testi-
mony was taken, Investigations made
briefs filed and arguments heard in
both cases.
LOTUS VS.. Pullman was won and
Sundberg VS.. Express Companies is
still pending before the commission
Facts disclosed. in the testimony OF
each case. are startling and reveal the
method by which the earnings of the
most extortionate transportation
charge can be absorbed by padding
operating expenses and duplicating
agencies; and finally made respect
able, If not lawful, by over-cap italiza
ton and periodical stock watering.
The sleeping car and express sery.
t.