Evening journal., 1915-09-01

mate to the extreme limit Of the inn
possible. No one who Is not more or
less familiar with the yoluminous OUT
put of literature recording the activi-
tics of the commission can have The
slightest idea of the degree attained
by the evil OF governmental control
so clearly foreseen and described by
Mr.. Wilson some years ago. The
combined wisdom of the practical rail-
road managers of the country would
be inadequate to, the task which these
seven gentlemen undertake to per-
form. Even il these were nothing to
criticise in the broad attitude Of the
commission toward the railroads
there would remain the insuperable
objection OF impossibility in the COM
pick task which it has struggled with
since the enlargement of its powers
by the legislation of 1906 and 1910
Il is we'll to remember that before
the amendment of 1906 the Interstate
Commerce Commission was an invest
igating administrative board It's
decisions were recommendations en-
forced only by the authority of its
courts. It's functions were Legitimate
under the American system Of gov
ernment. and its activities in the
detection and suppression of re-
bates and other forms Of illegal
discrimination IN freight rates we're
exceedingly useful The further re-
strictive legislation which President
Wilson deplorod in the remarks
printed above conferred unon the
commission not only the quasi-iudi-
cial power of determining what ex-
listing rates and regulations are un-
reasonable, and also of suspendina
tho effect of an Increased rate pend
ing the Investigation, but also the es-
sentiolly legislative power and ad
ministrative power of fixing rates af
frmatlyely for the future This, as
President Wilson pointed out, is thS
function Of the lawmakers, not Of tn,
discretion and individual Judgment oI
government officials
Il Is manifest that until Congress
sets back the rover OF tho Interstat,
Commerce Commission TO where 4
stood before the disastrous aggran
dizoment effected IN 1906 ard 1917
the main obstacle to restored pros
perity of the railroads will continue
TO block the way. The powers of thu
commission should he negative rath
er than affirmative I'm the matter o
rate making. The commission shoull
be censor OF methods. check nl
abuse not a substitute for business
management in the case Of the rail
roads AS President Wilson so trul
remarked. there Is no radical differ
once between governmental owner
ship aud governmental regulation o
this discretionary kind. rejecting no
business scnae hut all sorts Of uni
formed or adversely interested publ
opinion.
When Congress meets the Presi
dent should promptly make recon
mondations for the amendment Of III
interstate commerce act in sens
restrictive Of the powers Of the com
mission. not restrictive Of the eXer
else Of the individual powers natura
in the conduct Of business enter
prises. No hetter message could b
write today on the subject than tn
ringing sentences which he penne
in 1905 in his magazine article o.
Trust Crusading" Congress shoul
follow the Presidents advice will
regard to the restoration of the In
terstate Commerce Commission Z
it's earlier and more legitimate lin
it's OF usefulness Then-and we fea
not till then will American railroad
again prosper.