Arizona republican., 1918-04-09
Just the Time for This Legislation


 The only argument that is being raised against Representative Haydens bill proposing an amend ment of the interstate law far as to re- move the discretionary of the interstate com merce commission or any other agency controlling the railroads in the matter the enforcement of the long and short haul clause is that this is not time to agitate railroad legislation, since now the reads are being directed by the government
 Mr. Haydens bill was probably inspired by a situation which existed in this and the whole Pacific coast region for many years, but whicn mas been relieved only temporarily it is understood by the ap- pcaton under order the commission of the long and short haul clause to Pacific coast and inter mountain points Water competition at coast points is no longer recognized but after the war; agita ton will be made for its recognition. In some parts of the country the discrimination against interior or non-competitive points still exists.
 Some time ago. MT. Hayden speaking of his bill and meeting the argument now raised gainst it, said that the discrimination unjust if permitted under government direction if permitted under orders of the interstate commerce commission.
 The discussion of the subject for several years past and which has been chiefly preciptated by the Arizona railroad commission has resulted in making it quite clear that competition is largely myth ical It is admitted that it is only potential And further the fact has been touched upon that if the railroads meet rates of water borne traffic at any point or of land traffic at interior competitive points they are certainly losing nothing other competitive points reached by shorter haul.
 The discussion has also placed in and stronger light the absurdity of the relation between our railroads and our waterways which have not only permitted but have actually enforced We have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to make water ways navigable and then in practically every in- have permitted the railroads to reduce their rates to level that assured the dsuse of the facilities which we have spent these hundreds of millions to create The railroads have been only permitted to do this but have in fact been compelled to do it.
 In making these streams navigable, is ually the case only nomnaly, have not intend ed or desired that they should be navigated The profession of that has been of the hyproc risies which make the original sin of so much of legislation. We have made the streams navigable for the purposes of giving the railroads pretext reducing their rates below the level which would be countenanced by the law of remuneration.
 The roads have been encouraged after having been forced to destroy by their competition the use of navigable streams. recoup themselves at the expense of the interior points. The only benefciares of this arrangement have been shippers at the com
  non-competitivc points and the communities served from those points.
 The earlier such state of affairs be reme- died the better While. we have said, the remedy has been applied in own inter-mountain district we have assurance that it will be permanent It has not been generally applied throughout the try and is not likely be applied under government direction. The government has too much to do with the railroads to undertake changes in rates except where. in specific cases changes appear necessary.
 Now is good time any to thresh this mat and settle it. It is better time any we have had before We have been shown the shallow of the claim of water competition and we have furthermore been shown how easy it is for the gov ernment to the railroads just return upon their properties against the old method of allowing the roads to levy tribute upon great of the country to themselves for their lack profits traffic at so-caled competitive points
 Those who urge that this is not convenient season. for this legislation sincere They fear that the legislation would fix upon the country a settled policy whereas the remedy already in force the Pacific coast wherever it may be applied during the war is only temporary expedent and later old conditions may be fully restored.
 The Nebraska Defect
 It is time for a war legislature" of Nebraska