| Show RAILWAY RATE legislation at the biennial convention of the order ot railway conductors recent ly held at portland oregon resola alons were unanimously adopted volo ing their sentiments as to the effect of proposed railway rate legislation on the 1 railroad employed emp loyes whom they in part represented these resolutions indorse the attitude of president roosevelt in condemning secret rebates and other illegalities and commend the attitude ot 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 ot legis vesting in the hands ot a corn mission power over railway rates now lower by far in the united states than in an othel country because such regulation would result in litigation and confusion and in tend to an enforced deduc tion in rates irrespective of the ques alon of the ability of the railroads to stand the reduction especially in vew 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 bod shall have the right to investigate indict try condemn and then enforce its decisions at the cost of the car lers pending appeal which is mani jestly inequitable the conductors base their demand for only such legislation it any as 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 result of the efficiency of 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 ot intelligence among em aloyes in contrast to foreign methods where high freight rates and lowest wages to employed emp loyes obtain in pressing their clam against leg 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 ot art cles to the consumer thus making the freight rate so insignificant factor in the selling price that numerous standard articles are sold at the same price in all parts of the country |
