OCR Text |
Show RAILWAY RATE LEGISLATION. At tho biennial convention of tho Order of Railway Conductors recently recent-ly hold at Portland, Oregon, resolutions resolu-tions woro unanimously adopted voicing voic-ing their sentiments as to tho effect of proposed railway1 rato legislation on tho 1,300,000 railroad employes, whom thoy In part represented. Theso resolutions "Indorse tho attitude of President Rcosovelt In condemning secret rebates and other illegalities, and commend tho attitude of tho heads of American Railways, who, with practical unanimity, havo Joined with tho president on this question." They then respectfully point out to Congrers tho "inadvlsablllty of legislation legis-lation vesting in the hands of a commission com-mission power over railway rates, now lower by far In tho United States than In any other country," bocauso such regulation would "result in litigation and confusion nnd in-ovltably in-ovltably tend to an enforced reduction reduc-tion in rates, irrespective of tho question ques-tion of the nblllty of tho railroads to stann tho reduction, especially In view of tho increased cost of their supplies and materials." Thoy further protested protest-ed against such power being given to tho present Inter-State Commission because "tho proposed legislation is not in harmony with our Idea of American Jurisprudence, inasmuch as it contemplates that a slnglo body shall havo tho right to Investigate, Indict, try, condemn and then enforce Its decisions at tho cost of tho carriers, car-riers, pending appeal, which la manifestly mani-festly inequitable." Tho conductors baso their demand for only such legislation if any, as would "securo and insure Justice nnd equity and preservo equal rights to all parties concerned," on tho ground that tho low cost of transportation "is the result of tho efficiency of American rnllwnv mnnnirnmnnt and Oneratlon which havo built up tho country through constant Improvement and development of territory, while at tho same tlmo recognition has boon given to tho valuo of Intelligence among employes em-ployes In contrast to foreign methods, whoro high frolght rates and lowest wages to employes obtain." In pressing tholr claim ngainst legislation leg-islation ndvorso to their Interests, they point out the fact that "tho frolght rates of this country average only two per cent of tho cost of articles arti-cles to tho consumer, thus making tho freight rate so Insignificant a factor In tho selling price that numerous standard articles aro sold at tho same prlco In all parts of tho country." |