OCR Text |
Show MORE CONTROL SOUGHT. The Interstate Commerce Commission Commis-sion has great powers under the present pres-ent laws with respect to the coutrol of the business of railroads, nud a a rule we think it must be admitted that this "coutrol has been exercised beneficially with rcspecL to tho public and not oppressively op-pressively with respect to the railroads. rail-roads. But there is now a proposition for the extension of the power of the Interstate Commerce Commission over the raihoads that would give to that commission an extent of authority almost al-most startling to think of- That proposition propo-sition is that the commission should have jurisdiction over the physical condition con-dition of the railways coming under its jurisdiction. Tho question arises over the refusal or neglect of the officials of an Eastern railroad to correct defects de-fects in its grade crossings which resulted re-sulted iu a recent shocking accident, and the callous position assumed by the railroad officials with respect to the causes of that accident. The railroad officials have practically said that accidents ac-cidents like this cannot be prevented. But evidently they could be prevented by doing away with level grade crossings, cross-ings, and by a proper system of watchfulness watch-fulness mid -aro. The proposition for extending tho powers of the Interstate Commerce Commission, therefore, comes from and by reason of the neglect and indifference indiffer-ence of the railroad officials referred to with respect to accidents liable to occur upon that line. That attitude of the railroad compauy gives a powerful impetus to the proposition to give tho commission control of the physical condition con-dition of railroads. But if that control is given, it would not stop at the remedying rem-edying of grade crossings. It would necessarily extend to the inspection of trncks, bridges, railroad yards, and cv-cry cv-cry form of the physical efficiency of railroad construction and operation. If the railroads, therefore, do not wish to have this supervision of tho Interstate In-terstate Commerce Commission extended extend-ed in the direction indicated, it is clear that they must repudiate the indifference indiffer-ence and defiance shown by the officers of-ficers of tho railroad referred to, which .treated the matter of the fatal accident so indifferently and contemptuously. At present tho Interstate Commerce Commission' has hot- the jurisdiction suggested: -but--if tho railroads take the attitude that they' will not regard -thr suggestions of the Interstate Commerce Commission for the protection of tho public and for prevention of fatal accidents, ac-cidents, thon it will not be long until the public will conclude that the railroads rail-roads do not exhibit the right kind of feeling toward tho public in this respect, re-spect, and a transfer of jurisdiction in such matters to the Interstate Com- ; mcrce Commission will naturally follow. . |