Mr. President, have you studied the history of “The Granger Cases” of thirty years ago? If not, study it. Then you will know better how the corporations control human tribunals and get rid of laws which are obstacles.
Have you studied the recent decisions of the Federal Judges on the question of fixing “reasonable rates”? If not, study them.
You will then know better what a monkey a railroad lawyer can make of a Federal Judge.
To create another tribunal for the purpose of controlling the railroads, is simply the building of another house upon sand.
The only solution of the Railroad Problem is national ownership, which takes away the motive to do wrong.
In no other way can you cure the disease.
Instead of establishing another Court, or Commission, for the corporations to play with, assert the principle of Eminent Domain, assess the railroads at a fair valuation, pay for them partly in treasury notes and partly in twenty-year two per cent. bonds, place the general management of the property under the Interior Department—and then the railroads will no more think of free passes, rebates and discriminations than the Post-Office service does of free stamps, or privileged patrons who must be enriched at the expense of the other patrons.
Look at England
Collier’s Weekly thinks that the United States should pay higher salaries. Ambassadors do not get enough. Neither do cabinet officers. The President also is underpaid. How lamentable!