"Senator Foraker: And I understand you to say that the effect of fixing maximum rates is to lessen the tendency to reduce rates, which railroads had practiced before this legislation was enacted?
"Mr. Acworth: I am not quite sure that the maxima have really had very much effect at all. It has been a tendency, but I do not think an important tendency. But the interpretation by the courts of the undue preference law, and the recent limitation that having once reduced you can not subsequently increase, have had that effect markedly, I believe.
"Senator Foraker: So that the rates for the transportation of freight on railroads in England have not been declining, I take it from your statement, in recent years, but have remained practically stationary?
"Mr. Acworth: I do not know what the average rate is, because there are no statistics in England; but my own impression would be that it had probably not declined to an appreciable extent, whereas in an earlier period it certainly did decline pretty fast."
The effect of a similar law, passed in England, as shown by the testimony of Mr. Acworth, confirms the views of the committee which have been expressed in this report, that with such a provision embodied in the present interstate commerce law, there would be few reductions or advances in American rates. If it had the effect in England of destroying the flexibility of the rates of the carrier and interfered with the development of England's commerce, as well as her railroads, how much more serious would be the result in this country, that is in the process of rapid development, both as to its commerce and territory? It has been credibly stated that the Board of Trade of England is now seriously considering a recommendation for the repeal of that provision of the statute.
AN ANALYSIS OF THE COMMUNICATION TO THE COMMISSION—MANY OF ITS OBJECTIONS APPLY TO THE AMENDMENT OFFERED IN COMMITTEE.
9. When this bill was referred to your committee for its consideration the chairman addressed a letter to the Interstate Commerce Commission, inclosing the bill, and requested the opinion of the commission as to the wisdom of incorporating the amendment into the interstate commerce law.
The chairman replied in the following communication:
"Interstate Commerce Commission,