Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1887 — REGULATING THE RAILROADS [ARTICLE]

REGULATING THE RAILROADS

The Interstate Commerce Commission concluded its two days’ labors at Memphis, after hearing evidence from merchants of Memphis, Louisville, Lexington, Little Rock, and Newport, Ark., to the effect that the enforcement of Section 4 would be disastrous to the commerce and industries of the points named. The Louisville and Nashville, the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis, and the Chesapeake, Ohio and Southwestern Railroads were granted two weeks' time to file arguments and statistical information in support of their petition for the permanent suspension of Section 4. Representatives of the river interests were also given leave to present their case in writing. United States Consuls in Canada report that the interstate commerce law is operating disastrously to the export and import trade in that country, and that our trade interests in that quarter are threatened with serious consequences.

Secretary Mosely, of the Interstate Commission, has received a petition from the New York Central, Lake Shore, and Pittsburg and Lake Erie Railroad Companies asking for an order permitting them, in connection with the New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, and the New York, Lake Erie and Western, to make passenger and freight rates to Eastern Pennsylvania, New York, and New England points to compete with rates made by the Pennsylvania Railroad. Up tq this time fortyfour railroad companies have filed with the commission formal petitions asking to be relieved from section 4of the law. Probably as many more have been returned for further information. A much larger number has been received from trade organizations, private corporations, and individuals protesting against the suspension of section 4 in particular cases. The Interstate Commission received a complaint from Chicago that the Sundayschool workers were cut off from “passes” and freight favors, and asking redress. Thei reply was that all such questions were in the hands of the railroad companies, and they must construe the law’ to suit themselves until the paints under it had been adjudicated.