The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1912-08-30
Chairman Of Railroad Commits.
sion Asks Reelection on
Record in Office.

! Capt. Meredith is appealing tt
the voters on the strength of hi:
record. Since he has been ;
member, and more especially
since he has been chairman, some
of the most notable decisions ir
the history of the commission
have been handed down. Prob
ably the most notable of these
was the sweeping order reform
ing and reducing the express
tariff, which is credited with hav
ing resulted in more widespread
relief to the great mass of small
shippers than any other order
that has been issued since the
creation of the commission. In
that case the express companies
resorted to every expediency tC
secure delay. They were espec-
tally anxious for a postponement
of the findings until after the
decision of the express case
pending before the Interstate
Commerce Commission at Wash
ington. But the State Commits
sion had spent nearly two years
investigating the rates and prac-
tees Of these companies in Lou
isiana. They had been offered
every opportunity to present their
side and Chairman Meredith,
much to the qualification of the
merchants and shippers, refused
to grant further delay.
1t is a conservative estimate
that the order issued by the State
Railroad Commission saved to
the shippers OF this State, who
use the express service more
than 100000 per year, and re-
suited in vastly improving the
service. The commission was
careful to render equal and exact
justice, and while it's victory was
hailed as a victory for the public,
so fair was it that no appeals
were taken by the expresscompa-
MES which had previously main
tanned that alteration of their
tariffs meant confscation and the
deprivation of their rights under
the Constitution.
1t is the faculty of getting at
the very marrow of the contro-
Versy and rendering a decision
either fear or favor that
las given Chairman Meredith a
high place among the presiding
'mcers Of similar boards. He
las been firm with the railroads.
which have protested at many of
ne orders issuedover his sigma
ure as chairman, yet at the same
ime he has refused to stoop to
he tricks Of the demagogue.
Time and again he has refused
o be 2 party to regulatory meas
Ires which were popular, but
which Capt. Meredith knew to
'e either oppressive or incapable
4 standing the acid testof a
rial in court; and he has been as
nxious to avoid reversals by the
ourts as a judge is to avoid such
ction at the hands of a superior
tribunal.
The chairman Of the Louisiana
'ailroad Commission has not
My been a conscientious student
t traffic problems in it's broadest|
!hases, but he keeps abreast of
ne proceedings and findings of
he Interstate Commerce Com.
1lsslon, the Court of Commerce
nd kindred commissions in other
tates. It is because of the
nowledge thus acquired that he
as rejected some demands.
Which, while not sound, have en-
Dyed q passing popularity. This
curse has made him the target
+ many hostile critics.
Capt. Meredith has made it al
oint to work for the conyen-
snce Of the travelling public no
us than for the saving to the
mall shippers, ;. Many Of the .
riders and rules which. have
1ade travel in; Louisiana more
earable in recent years owe {
heir origin to him. A recent
rider compelling train dispatch
RS, agents and others to furnish |
1formation as to the cause Of
ne delay of passenger trains, as
!ell as the expected hour Of ar
wal when such trains are late.
an illustration Of this,
Capt. Meredith believes that I
lasn,uch as the railroads fire..
uently receive free rights.of. i
'ay, exemption from taxation q
YER long periods of time. and {
lany other favors at the hands 8
! the people, they are making t
Q sacrifice in return. when they q
airy the duly authorized agents .
no representatives Of tho noonlo