| Show just discrimination in railway rates all railroad men qualified to speak on the subject in a responsible way are likely to agree with president samuel spencer of the southern railway when he says there Is 19 no division or of opinion as to the desirability of stopping all secret or unjustly discriminatory devices and practises practices ot of whatsoever character mr spencer in speaking ot of unjustly discriminatory rates and devices mattes makes a distinction which Is at once apparent to common sense there may be discrimination in freight rates which Is just reasonable and imperatively required by the complex commercial and geographical conditions with which expert rate makers have to deal to abolish such open and honest discrimination might paralyze the industries of cities states and whole sections of our national territory this distinction between just and unjust discrimination Is clearly recognized in the conclusions of the international railway congress published yesterday tariffs tariff s hould be based on commer dill pran taking into account tho the special spec at condl coudiLl tlona ns mch beat bear upon u the the cupo comme iclal value ot of tho the services 5 s rendered re bcd with the reme reen ration atlon that rates ah ahall all bo be charged without arbitrary disc ci intimation to lo all shippers alike under like conditions condition of the making of rates should ha as far as 88 possible nave all tho the elasticity noces noce osar sarv to permit the development of the frattle and to produce tile greatest results to lo tho the public and to tile railroads rall roada themselves the present proposal Is as mr walker D hines of louisville showed in life his remarkable testimony the other day before tile the senate committee at washington to flexible and justly discriminatory rates into fixed government rates which cannot bo be changed except by the intervention ot of some government tribunal anday and by this very process to increase the temptation to depart from the published rate it and rid tho the law lawful ful rate in order to meet bom somo e overpowering and urgent commercial condition new york sun |
