The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-09-14
ARE DIVIDED IN
THEIR SUPPORT
CONTINUED from page one)

erican people has shown that ii can
not be safely left 10 those who contrOl
the operation of these great enter
prises to fix the rates of Transports
ton free from the regulation of effect
i've competition of the superior author
ity of governmental control
1.-THE right of the states to regulate
the transportation in injra- estate COM
mcrce of railroads engaged in inter-
state commerce is now vigorously de-
MED. for the reason that it is claimed
the fixing of rates in intra-state COM
merce of necessity determines or, at
least, directly affects the rates o.
transportation in interstate commerce.
This contention has but recently been
sustained by the United States Circuit
Court for the District of Minnesota, in
decision known as the Minnesota
Rate cases.
All Important Decision.
During the coming term of the SUI
preme Court, there will be heard cases
arising out of controversies between
a number of the states and the rail
roads doing business therein as to the
constitutionality of maximum freight
and passenger rate laws, In each Of
which the contention will doubtless be
vigorously urged that the laws "
these states or the orders of their
boards OF railroad commissioners are
unconstitutional, because by fixing
rates for transportation within the
states. interstate commerce is directly
burdened and affected
THE Importance and the far-reach-
ing effect of the decision that will be
rendered upon this point can hardly be
tion OF he rates of transportation in
intra-state commerce shall be denied
the several states, then there will be
enjoyed by the railroad companies the
right to fix intrasstate rates of trans
portation free from any supervision or
regulation. And they will thus be en-
abled to levy a tribute upon the people
of the several states, the amount Of
which will be limited only by their
own necessities or desire for gain.
| Further than this. denial of the right
of the severa; states to regulate the
rates Of transportation in intra state
traffic will as an inevitable and logical
result, result in the denial of the right
of the states to regulate or supervise
| the conduct of any business interstate
in its character If thereby the conduct
of that business in interstate commerce
is directly affected or burdened.
Confusing Complex Problems.
THAT there are many difficulties in
cident 10 the present situation, is APP
parent To adjust the rates of the great
trans continental railroad companies to
the changing conditions incident to the
changes in sentiment and administra-
ton in forty-eight states. is indeed a
ldimcult problem. The whole problem OF
railroad rate regulation in this country
is in a confused, complex and unsatis-
factory condition. No yard-stick has
as yet been discovered by which eithol
to establish rates or to measure Tho
reasonableness of rates charged.
Some people see in the present sit.
uation such difficulties that they con.
contend that government ownership
and operation of railroads is the only
practical solution. / do not believ,
that government ownersh p and oper.
alton Of railroads is either necessary
or advisable solution. But Il viii
doubtless be necessary that we Should
"out and dry" many times before W,
finally determine upon the correct pol
icy for dealing with this important an,
a Intricate problem. In view Of tn
> markedly different conditions existn,
In this and i'm other countries. the ex
perience of other nations i'm dealnl
! with this question is but OF limite'
value We must work out our owl
problem for ourselves. but we must a
all times adhere TO the Fundamental
. principle that railroad company Is
|, common carrier and public highway
!, that il must be open TO all upon fai
3 and equal terms and that the RICH
: TO charge for the transportation O
persons or of property is a right Z
! tax, which. i'm order 10 be defenslblC
Z must be reasonably and equally i'm
I. posed"