Show RAILWAY RATE legislation at the biennial convention of the order of railway conductors recent I 1 ly y h held at portland oregon resola aldere t alons lon s were unanimously adopted voicing their sentiments as to the effect of proposed railway rate legislation on the 1300 1 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 of the heads of american railways who with practical unanimity have joined with the president on this question they then respectfully point out to congress the inadvisability of legis lation vesting in the hands of a corn com mission power over railway rates now lower by tar far in the united states than in any othel country because such regulation would result in litigation and confusion and in evitable evit ably tend to an enforced deduc uon in rates irrespective of the ques tion of the ability of the railroads to stand the reduction especially in view of the increased cost of their supplies and materials they further protest ed against such power being given to the present inter state commission because the proposed legislation is not in harmony with our idea ol 01 american jurisprudence inasmuch as it contemplates that a single body shall have the right to investigate indict try condemn and then enforce its decisions at the cost of the car lers aers pending appeal which Is mani mant featly inequitable the conductors base their demand tor for only such legislation it if any ai ail would secure and insure justice and equity and preserve equal rights to al parties concerned on the ground that the low cost of transportation is th thi result of the efficiency of Ame american railway management and operation which have built up the country through constant improvement and development of territory while at the same time recognition has been given to the value of intelligence among em aloyes in contrast to foreign methods where high freight rates and lowest wages to employed emp loyes obtain in pressing their claim against leg isolation Islat lon adverse to their interests they point out the fact that the freight rates of this country average only two per cent of the cost of arti artl cles to the consumer thus making the freight rate so insignificant a factor in the selling price that numerous standard articles are sold at the same sam price in all parts of the country |