The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-17
IGNORES FUNDAMENTALS

As the study of the effect of the Inter state Commerce Commissions decision with respect to division of joint rail and water rates progresses there is a growing senti- ment of dissatisfaction with it. After de- laying for eighteen months on this question the commission has issued 8 statement which could just as we'll have been issued more than year ago, and which really ig- nores some of the fundamental aspects of the situation. The order, for the present, leaves adjustment of rate divisions to con- ferences between railroads and heads of the waterways, but takes no cognizance of the underlying injustice which makes the pres ent status so inimical to waterway prosper ity. The basic conditions should have re- ceived the commissions earnest attention before the minor details of adjustment were considered, as it is probable that the rail- roads will not Voluntarily consent to any fundamental changes in their practices
 According to Senator Underwood and Representative Oliver, the commissions or der in reality makes it necessary for con gress to take some action to rectifyNcondi- tions neglected by the commission Pri- marily, it is necessary that the railroads be forever enjoined from making rate wars upon the waterways with the purpose of putting them out of business It appears that such a rate war is in large measure responsible for the present plight of >the Warrior barge line. For there are in effect low competitive rail rates especially de- signed to take business from the waterway, while at the same time there are high local rail rates to river points which in some cases absorb the Warrior receipts for joint hauls. Thus the rail rates adversely affect the barge service at every turn. The barge rates, being eighty per cent. of the all-rail rates, are in reality eighty per cent. of spe cially low competitive rates, and thus at the very start the waterway is at a dis advantage, while the railroads may recoup their competitive rate reductions on their non-competitive divisions and local hauls.
 So it appears that the roads are doing indirectly what congress has denied them the right to do directly. Therefore, it is logically the duty of congress to enact such amendments to the statutes as will correct this obstruction of the federal effort to develop the barge service and make it of general public benefit. In situation of this kind when the private ambition so pal pably conflicts with the public interest, there can be but one course for representative public body to pursue.
 As to the Interstate Commerce Commis- sion's opinion that there was not sufficient data in hand on which it might base de- cision as to an equitable division of joint rates, it is reported that one member of the body, Commissioner Eastman, made a pro- posal looking to a rectifying of the major abuses and offering immediate relief to the financial situation of the barge lines. IT one member of the commission was able to perceive some prompt way out of the trouble, certainly the rest of the commission could have given the plan more adequate consider ation.
 It is significant that Secretary Weeks himself is disappointed over the procrasti- hating nature of the opinion, and has re- duced his recommendation of maintenance appropriation from one million to half a million dollars. Surely, if men high in official position can see no reason for the delay inherent in the commissions attitude, then the commission itself could have found some sound method of correcting the major causes of complaint. The government is committed to the development of the wa terways, and there can be no acceptance of the view that the railroads can reasonably continue policy detrimental to the water ways. That practice at least can be brought forthwith to a close. The prosperity of Alabama depends so directly upon the river development and the facilitating of haulage to seaboard that the entire group of pro- ducers in the state may well rise as one man to demand immediate and corrective action such as will bring to the waterways a square deal and fair opportunity to serve this producing territory.