The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-02
low Congress Can Best Help the
Railroads.

now Congress Can Best Help the
Railroads.
By far the most encouraging news
that has rome out Of Washington in
oil that has been written Of the pro-
posed programme OF the Sixty.fourth
Congress Is that which represents the
legislative department ms considering
the ACCESSIBILITY Of inquiring soberly
Into the processes and effects Of rail-
road regulation through the Inter.
state Commerce Commission under
the authority now repOsed in 1t. No
subject more urgently requires atten-
tion /; nc Government undertaking has
more adversely affected the develop
ment Of business and the operations
ef commerce; no exercise of sovereign
power has more malignly Influenced
the course Of industrial and mercan-
tile adventure.
Since 1887 the Congress. through
the Interstate Commerce Commission,
has sought the regulation of the rail.
roads. The commission. at first an
Investigating body with its recommen-
dations enforceable by judicial action
only. has undergone a remarkable
course Of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. BY the leg.
islation OF 1909 and 1910 the commits
sion acquired that authority by which
4 could suspend rates. make rites,
and otherwise exercise the function OF
ownership. and compel obedience "a
lts orders. Originally 1t was n le.
Ultimate instrument for the detection,
registration and exposure Of evils
from 1909 It has dominated the com
~ carriers. debating the minutest
details Of their procedure, revising
their schedules. supervising their OPP
erations. and generally replacing in
the conduct OF their business the In
dividuals to whom the welfare of the
roads and their properties was en-
trusted by their owners.
1t II not alleged that the commits
sion has been dishonest. lacking ID
diligence. or Influenced by unworthy
motives. Its failure has sprung from
rhe fact that the Congresses which
have imposed new duties on 1t from
time to time have set for II a task
impossible Of accomplishment. The
disastrous effects that are attribute.
ble to it's activities are moi the re~uit
Of weakness Of personnel. hut dow
from the untenable economic theory
which the statutes embody and the
wrong political principles thar inspired
them.
The result ~ the incidence Of these
disturbing laws is expressed to-day
In the financial situation Of the rail,
roads. The hampering effects Of re
stRaints imposed without clear recog
milton Of the needs Of the nation and
tAe necessities Of transportation lines
TO frequently the fruit Of unreason'
ing prejudice and Interior motive
have produced the conditions tina,
now threaten serious injury to the
busfness structure of the country. In
voetors. observing with growing feai
the incessant attacks on these essen
tal properties and Informed of The
ahackles that ignorance forged ia con,
strain their growth. refused their sup.
port to ley projects and the rehablli,
tation OF old properties. Alarmed by
the increasing Interference with nat,
ural growth. the prohibition Of natural
alliances and the condemnation Of in
tGeligent plans for Improvements, they
have withheld their capital. and ven
tured It In enterprises not subject Ia
the limitations of Federal manage
ment and the exigencies OF short,
sighted oil corrupt politicians.
The heart Of the pernicious code tina
has been built up is in the enact,
ments by which the right to make,
suspend and reduce rates is taken
from those to whom it properly he
longs and entrusted to n body which
cannot possess the information and
interest necessary 10 lis proper eyer
N9. BY these provisions the finan.
cial management of costly enterprises
IL transferred from their owners and
put beyond the field Of their control
The answer of prudent men To thl,
extraordinary diversion of power |,
the withdrawal Of their investments
and to that withdrawal is Luc tho
crippled and inadequate condition oi
the transportation facilities to-day IN
the face Of rising prosperity and trc
mendous demands on their capacity
With what they have the railroad,
are doing the utmost that can b,
0ooe; had they been nnfettercd II
preparation TO meet the growth o,
the country's business they woul
have been completely equipped for Tn,
situation they nov cannot meet.
Into the statutory "nnctmenls nm,
their consequences by which this men
aeing condition has been produced /
u The duty Of Congress to inquire wit