The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-02-24
A GREAT PUBLIC TRIUMPH.


senger rates by the railroads of the East and
West are disapproved. is of the most i'm
portant ever given in this country. The pro-
posed increases meant the payment Of approx
nately $270000oo more TO the railroads BY the
public, and the Commission declares tina; no ne
cessity for this enormous addition 10 the rail-
roads revenues was shown during the recent
hearing.
Tie action Of the interstate Commerce Com
mission in this case shows what valuable sd-
iunct TO our government the tribunal L. III
stands between the public and special interests
which would grow opulent at the expense
of the poor. The Commission has rendered
many decisions since it was created a decade or
so ago. but it is doubtful II any more far~rssch
ing than this will ever come from its bench.
Attorney Brandeis, as counsel for the Atlantic
seaboard shippers, declared before the Commits
sion that the efficiency and not the rates Of the
railroads of this country needed increasing. He
pointed out ways in which he thought 81 900 900
day could be saved by the railroads, If scien.
tiac and up-todate business methods were
adopted and more thought given 20 serving the
public than dividends.
In its opinion the Commission says
III seems plain tina. they tthe railroads,
have not sustained the burden which the
statute casts upon them of tustifying the
proposed advance rates In so far that
justification depends upon the necessity for
greater net revenue There IL evidences
before us which establishes the necessity for
higher rates.
Before any general advance be per.
mitted 1t must appear with reasonable GER
tainty that carriers have exercised proper
economy in the purchase of their supplies.
in the payment Of their wages, and In the
general conduct of their business There is
no testimony tending to show the cost of re
producing these properties"
Commissioner Lane took occasion to answer
the assertion that public confidence no
longer placed in the railroads because of the
continued muck-r aking against them. and that
ii was difficult for the corporations to obtain
money with which to make improvements Judge
Lane declared that the railroads had borrowed
$4,000 100000. or twice the national debt, at the
close Of the War Between the States, and that
this did not show the lack Of confidence COM
planned of by the railroad magnates He also
said that better industrial conditions prevail in
this country now than ever before. that the rail-
roads had increased their dividends while
thfs decision was pending, and raised the wages
OF their employees. The fallacious arguments
advanced by the railroads in advocacy OF the
rate increase thoroughly considered and
answered by the Commission a whole, and
Commissioner Lane in particular. Contrary to
the pessimistic utterances of the railroad mag
\ mates and thelr gloomy view OF the situation
the Commission has found abundant ground for
optimism.
The Interstate Commerce Commission has
II proven itself great public hulwark, and its an
swer 10 the railroads Is final Some hysteris
and nervousness in Wall street when
the decision was made known. but 1t quiet
ed, for glance all that was necessary 70
show that the railroads had prospered during
the period the rate decision was pending, their
stocks advanced ten points. their dividends In.
creased, and many other improvements were
noted.
Now that the Commission has given It's an.
swer 10 the railroads, II Is time for the magnates
10 bend their energies and talents toward on.
HANGING the efficiency OF their systems, think
less of getting wealth. and help develop the IN.
dustries and commerce ~ the nation. With more
efhciency. better service lower rates and greater
cooperation with the shippers and travelling
public, the railroads increase their inere-
ment far beyond s2700o.oo0. The railroads
compose great percentage Of the wealth OF this
N country. and without them there would be lttls
& hope Of developing this country. but the time
has come when the magnates must better rea lxe
their relation TO the public and their duty to
serve the country. wherein. perhaps, greater op
portunity for the accumulation of great wealth
iegitimateiy exist than In any other nation on
the globe
FALLING SHORT.
Thsy have way up TN Congress OF falling