Show PUBLIC PUBLIO POLICY AND ANT THE TIlE SUPREME SUPREME SU SU- SU- SU PREME PRIDIE COURT DECISION A wise lat lawyer later er hero here In Salt Lake Lake Lake- and there thore nr are man many of at them thom them says the Supreme court decision in the Hepburn Hep burn law Jaw Is easily understood The Tho law sought to prevent a railroad company compan com coni- pan pany being also a producer of at commodities com corn in competition with other producers producer both to be carried over the railroad The purpose of at tire government govern govern- mont ment was plain Coal mining and hauling was the main cause for tor the legislation Eastern Eastern and and some Western West West- ern railroad ern-railroad railroad companies were also producers producers pro pro- of at coal Natural Naturally they gave save preference to tho product of ot their own mines when it camo came to carrying co coa coato coal l to market The coal producer who didn't have a railroad was at the tho merc mercy of ot the railroad comp company n which als also produced coal But under the law Jaw the tho result aimed at nt was not secured Tho The case is a little difficult Railroad Railroad Railroad Rail Rail- road companies can not be both miner mine and common carrier But there Is le nono now no no law which forbids a man buying stool stock In a railroad company and alaIn also ala In n a coal company An Investor In ma mahave may have money in both corporations Many do If It one ono man may own on one share of or stock In th th railroad and on one share In the coal mine he may hold hoi holda a control of ot the stock In both If It there bo be a remedy it resta on th the broad principle of ot public policy polley ThaIs That Tha Thatis Is a at tho the base of ot the rule which excludes ex ex- eludes a. a a ell city councilman from being interested In an any concern which sells sell to tho the city a city a rule that is at times time s Ignored But the principle is s sound and cannot bo lie attacked In 10 law Th The same rule rulo forbids a legislator acceptIng accepting accepting accept accept- ing an office which ho he helped to create or accepting Increase e of ot pay provided provide by tho the legislative body of or which h he a member It is against pUblic policy On that same foundation government govern O Je ment will ment will have to bul build d in t the e matte matter now commanding attention Investors In will havo have to know leno the they can not nol own stock in a railroad company and in a company compan producing anything to bo ho shipped over tho railroad in Que question Uon The reason for for the rule Is as plain as asIn asin asin in the case of ot a councilman or of ot a n legislator tor That prohibition is not found In the Hepburn bill It Is well within the power of at congress to lay lar that prohibition prohibition prohibition pro pro- on Investments And when that Is done tho the common carrier and anti the coal miner will Ill be bo divorced |