New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-26
An Equitable Settlement.

An Equitable Settlement.
After many years Of frIitless discussion,
Of deadlock and fouadering, Congress IS at
last on the way toward a satisfactory solu-
ton Of the railway mail pay problem. The
Senate inserted last week in the postoiiice
APPROXIMATION bill a provision, fathered by
senator Cummins. of Iowa. which makes
it the duty of the Interstate Commerce
Commission 10 fix fair and reasonable
rates for the transportation of all mail
matter carried by the railroads.
That is a thoroughly sound and logical
position for Congress to take. The gov
eminent has empowered the Interstate
Commerce Commission to regulate the
charges and earning power of the rail
roads. That regulation, in order to be eff
fective, should be complete. Il should be
extended so as to cover the entire field-to
embrace rates charged for mail carriage as
well as for the carriage Of passengers and
commodities.
At present the Postmaster General fixes
railway mail rates under conditions de-
termined by Congress. The Postmaster
General is naturally concerned about max
ing a record for himself, and his impulse
is to pay as little as possible for railway
service. Mr.. Burleson has been seeking
for several years past to alter the basis Of
conversation to the disadvantage of the
railroads, and the House Committee on
Postoffices and Post Roads has backed him
up by trying to get through legislation
putting the railroads absolutely at the
mercy Of the Postoffice Department. The
Senate has held out against this practical
confscation Of railroad facilities. Last
year the postoffice appropriation bill failed
because the two houses could not come to-
an agreement. This year the House OF
Representatives renewed its fight to put
prescriptive power into the hands Of the
Postmaster General. The Senate has now
wisely decided 70 end the controversy by
making the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion-the only governmental agency com
petent to deliver a rational judgment-the
sole arbiter in the matter Of compensation.
1t is the duty of the commission TO pro-
tect the public against excessive railroad
charges. 1t is also its duty TO see that the
railroads are fairly compensated for the
work which they do. 1t is joint guard
ian. for the carriers as well as for shippers
and consumers. 1t cannot in justice APP
prove confscatory mail pay rates any more
than it can approve confscatory rates Or
passenger and freight traffic.
The commission expressed the opinion
in 1914, when it decided the Eastern
freight rate case, that freight traffic should
not be made to bear the entire burden Of
the increased cost Of railroad transporta-
ton. It recommended higher passenger
tariffs as one means Of relief. It is in a
position to 90 into the entire question Of
railroad operating cost and railroad in
come and to adjust charges scientifically.
Neither Congress nor the Postmaster Cen
eral can be expected 10 DO this, dealing, as
they do, with the problem Of compensation
in the limited field Of postal transporta-
ton. The acrid and proftless disputes Of
the last ten years over railway mail pay
have shown that there is no hope Of
reasonable solution through the joint ac-
ton Of Congress and the Postof!ce Depart
ment.
The Cummins amendment passed the
Senate by a vote of 30 70 10. 1t ought to
be accepted by the House Ct Representa-
tives. Even the railroad haiters in the
House Committee on Postofiices ard Post
Roads ought TO be able to recognize that
it manifests a spirit of justice cnd COM
mon sense and embodies an eminent.y wise
public policy.