The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1912-01-24
UNIVERSAL TRANSFERS NEARER.


been pressing such legislation consideration Of
Congress, and till now the Senate committee has
been the immovable obstacle. Its veteran chair
man, Mr.. Gallinger, was always opposed In &C
cepting the public interest as his guide, he has
mted himself to sincere effort to give the people
what they want. The bill as passed is probably the
safest that could have been devised
There was sharp controversy to whether
the legislation ought to specify the basis Of CON-
pensation as between companies issuing and receiv-
ing transfers. strong effort made to induce
Congress to write these compensation specifications
into the measure. Had that been done, it would
probably have resulted in the bill being held I'm
constitutional for at point it would have been
shown that the burden was imposed in manner
unfair to one or the other company and thus
amounting to conhscation Of its property.
Therefore, the best legal authority advised that
the law make attempt to lay down these details,
but leave to the companies to agree the basis of
compensation After they agree, if they find their
tentative basis is unfair, they can change it. If it
were written into the law, they could not In. any
event, they cannot complain that their property is
confscated by some detail Of an agreement which
they make between themselves.
But let it be understood that there is no i'm
mnent prospect of universal transfers being put
into effect The House is almost certain to pass
limnary to the long fight which the street car au-
thorties have declared they would conduct, before
complying
The new law will unquestonaby be enjoined
just as soon as it is in effect the constitutional
question of conhscation will be raised, and in the
series Of trials on merits, appeals, and delaying
processes years will be consumed There is the
authority of street railroad official that FIVE years
and will be consumed in this procedure. The
magnates are determined to fight to the very last
ditch before they issue one transfer under the law
Perhaps they will 60 ahead and do it. There
is little difficulty, in Washington, in adopting such
course. No matter how much it might arouse
public antagonis, the companies could not be made
effectively to feel the weight of popular Indignation
No public service corporation here is bound to con-
slider the sentiment and the feelings of its patrons,
and none does.
However, before the street car authorities de-
eide finally that they will assume the onus of I'M
popularity that would be imposed by fight against
the transfer act they should be urged that it will not
pay. AS surely as they hout the law the public in
terest and the towns sentiment, just surely they
will add to the weight of dsaffection in and out of
Congress. 1t is not impossible that another FIVE
years may bring greater advance of legislative
policy than the last five has brought. If it should
do that, it would surely bring the passage of legs-
laton to compel consolidation of the local traction
properties.
If that consolidation is ever compelled by law,
it will be compelled on terms that will squeeze some
of the water, probably good deal Of it, out Of
curities. Let the street railroad managers keep
this fact in mind, as they sit down to decide what
kind of fight they will make against enforcement
of the transfer law. Just certainly as they carry
forward that sort Of fight they will regret it in
future.
The era is past when consultations and reor-
CARNATIONS will be permitted at convenient inter-
vals just often enough to let the managers irrigate
their securities up to the point of absorbing all pos
sible earnings, however obese. That sort of thing
was permitted once; it never will be again. The
public knows what it means, Congress is consider
ing just such problems as it never did before.
1t would be quite humorous to appeal to any
higher motive than sefshness, in traction mag
nate. So appeal should be directed solely to that:
In being selfish, gentlemen, try for once to be
intelligenty selfish. Don't 60 looking for trouble.
You will find it easily enough, anyhow.
Cool off and let the transfer law be enforced
without long litigation. You will be vastly better
off for it. Mark the prediction.
The busy burglars put the climax to their Mon
day night raids by carrying away the shelving from
a store in the southeast section 1t is just possible
that they might be captured when they come back
tonight for the store.
Mr.. Bryan has given us another axiom by de-
clarng that man is known by the company he
keeps-and he cannot keep company with those
going in opposite directions.
The House District Committee is in melting
mood. Soon there will be no one on deck eXcept