“Mr. Robinson. No; generally speaking, we have decided down there that life is too short to litigate with the railroad companies” (Sen. Com. 1905, p. 2492).
Governor Cummins of Iowa says that no suits have been brought in Iowa for discrimination under the Elkins Law because the remedy under that law is regarded as inadequate (Sen. Com. p. 2081). It appears that only one case, the Wichita sugar differential, is before the I. C. C. under the Elkins Law (Sen. Com. p. 2874).
[368]. Fifer, Adams, etc., Sen. Com. pp. 2923, 3338.
[369]. Vining, Sen. Com. p. 1691, Knapp, p. 3294, etc. Robbins, however, manager of the Armour Car-Lines, says they are opposed to being made common carriers (pp. 2384, 2397, 2400). He says they do not indulge in rebates, generally speaking (pp. 2382, 2387, 2403), and thinks they would be worse off if put under the Interstate Law (pp. 2390, 2397, 2401).
[370]. President Roosevelt, Governor La Follette, Governor Cummins, Sen. Com. p. 2046; Professor Ripley, pp. 2330, 2338: Commissioner Knapp, p. 3305, Commissioner Prouty, pp. 2794, 2873, 2881, and 2886, where he says: “I do not think the Commission has to-day in its docket a case that can be satisfactorily disposed of without determining the rate for the future.” Commissioner Clements, p. 3243, Commissioner Fifer, pp. 3344, 3350, and many other witnesses; also writers and speakers throughout the country.
On the other hand, James J. Hill, President of the Great Northern, says he cannot imagine a greater misfortune than to attempt to fix rates by law, p. 1486; it would hamper transportation and hinder development. President Tuttle says that rate-making is practically the only property right the railways have, p. 913. Railway men generally are strongly opposed to fixing rates by commissions.
[371]. Sen. Com. p. 3482, N. Y. Chamber of Commerce.
[372]. Several witnesses suggest this. See, for example, Sen. Com. p. 3280. But James J. Hill says that if present laws were enforced not one of the car-lines could exist a moment, p. 1486.
[373]. Professor Ripley, p. 2345, Fordyce, p. 2202, and many railroad men; see below, p. 265. But see p. 61, Cowan; p. 822, Victor Morawetz; pp. 973 and 1003, President Tuttle.
[374]. James J. Hill, p. 1521.