The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-23

Washington. December 2e.-Railroad
companies and steamship corporations
control the regular steamship mes of
the United States and have destroyed
competition on many OF the water
highways of commerce. declares Luther
Conant, Jr., Commissioner of Co-po-
rations, in a report to President TAFT
to-day
The revelations of the report based
upon an extensive investigation. force
upon the Federal government. says the
commissioner. the consideration OF fur
Their regulations of joint rail and water
traffic.
In practically all the coast waters
of the country. il is declared. railroad
or steamship consultations dominate
water transportation. Their control OF
both through passenger and package
freight trade is especially striking,
says Commissioner Conant. on the At
Iantic and Gulf Coasts and on the
Great Lakes. Water lines along the
Eastern seaboard, he adds. have be-
come to q large extent auxiliaries or
subsidiaries of railroads. While COM
petition exists in greater measure on
the Pacific Coast. the commissioner
points out important instances Of
railroad control there
Single Regular Service.
II is a striking fact, says Commas
sioner Conant. that between a num-
Der Of the more important ports on
the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts there is
only a single regular service.
The New Haven system, il is
charged. has pursued a determined
policy of suppressing any effective
competition on Long Island Sound. and
several at least OF its recent acquisi-
tions must be charged as due to this
policy Elimination of competition
also was made an important factor.
said Commissioner Conant. in the New
Haven's purchase or majority interest
in the Merchants and Miners Trans
portation Company.
The extensive water traffic between
New York City and New England ports
is almost completely controlled. the re-
port adds. by the New Haven road
or by the Eastern Steamship CoTnpan-.
in which the New Haven is a consii-
cradle stockholder. though claiming to
have no voice in the management.
The Southern Pacific likewise is de-
clared 10 have shown a disposition 20
restrict competition or the Atlantic
Coast. although its steamship line.
are really a water extension % that
co-npany-s rail lines. In addition. the
report SAYS. "thc control 81 the South
ern Pacific by the Union Pacific (re-
Gently dissolved by the United states
supreme Cour,l obviously tended 60
limit the importance % competition
by tho Southern Pscifc's rail ana water
routes"
Railroad. In Control
The railroads controlling the greatest
tonnage OF steamship lines according
u NJ. Conart are the New Haven sys-
Ter. Union Pacfnc- southern Pacific TIE
Pennsylvania. New York Cent? al and
Central ~ Georgia.
Nearly all the important anthracite /
fleets on the North Atlantic Coast. the
commissions says. are owned BY
Few great anthracite railroads.
A number 81 the principal canals 81
the country have been abandoned o.
fallen into disuse. the report declares. ]
because Of railroad Influence
The conditions here Set forte. SAYS
Ar conanf. cannot fail 20 command /
attention. 20 far as The Eastern part J
OF tho country T. concerned. water lines
have to a large extent become auxil- /
iar,ss or subsidiariS 81 railroads. /
Thesc conditions force confederation |
o. the policy 20 be adopted toward I
sucb water carriers. Since water con-
petftion has in considerable measure
= cr~sh D.g~N