Show RAILWAY RATE legislation at the biennial convention of 0 the order of 0 railway hallway conductors recently hold at portland oregon resola eions were unanimously adopted vote vole ing IDE their sentiments as to the effect ot of proposed railway rate legislation on the railroad employed emp loyes whom they in part represented these resolutions indorse the attitude ot of president roosevelt in condemning secret rebates and other illegalities and commend the attitude altitude ot of the heads ot of Ame american railways m who ho with practical unanimity have joined with the president on this question they then respectfully point ou out t to congress the inadvisability ot of legislation vesting in the hands bands of a commission power over railway rates now lower by far in the united states than in any other country because such regulation would result in litigation and confusion and inevitably evit ably tend to an enforced reduction in rates irrespective of the question 0 of the ability 0 of the railroads to stand the reduction especially in view ot of the her increased eased cost of their supplies and materials they further protested e d against such power being given to the present interstate inter state commission because the proposed legislation is not in harmony nith our idea ol of american jurisprudence inasmuch as it contemplates that a single body bod have the right to investigate indict try condemn and then enforce its decisions at the cost of the cr cir tiers aers pending appeal which Is mant mani featly inequitable the conductors base basa their demand for only such legislation JI if any a at would secure and insure justice and equity and preserve equal rights to ar al parties concerned on the ground thal thai the low cost of transportation Is th result 0 of the efficiency of american railway management and operation which have bare built up the country through constant improvement and development of 0 territory while at the same time recognition has been given to the value of intelligence among em cm cloyes in contrast to foreign methods where high freight rates and lowest wages to employed emp loyes obtain in pressing their claim against legislation adverse to their interests they point out the tact fact that the freight rates of this country average only two per cent of the cost of articles to the consumer thus making makin g the freight rate so insignificant a factor in the selling price that numerous standard articles are sold at the same price in all parts of the country |