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Inter-state Commerce Commission

Inter-state Commerce Commission image
Parent Issue
Day
8
Month
December
Year
1887
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Thiscoramission isonly eight months old, but its iirst report covering fortythree pages, is nowbefore us. There are at leastthree views with wbich the comaaission has been regarded, one by its enemieswho have predicted failure and remendous evils from itsoperations; the second by its warm friends who are extravagantly assertive in their claims for the commission ; and the third by those who do not expect immediate wonderful resulta for good, but who look upon it as the first step towards a more general government control of the railroads, if not government ownership. That the first and second have not been realized is clear. But the commission has accomplished something and has so well demonstrated its right to be that congress will not dare to cripple it. As the report says, " the general features of the act are grounded :n principies that will stand the test of time and experience." If the first and second views are not correct, it is indicative that the third may be, and that the commission will lead to the solution of the railroad question. That the railroads will have to be more largely managed, if not owned, by the government, is clear to those who are today the safest thinkers and leaders. Over 135,000 miles of railroad practically represented by 700 companies is too tremcndous a power to go without limitation, and it is questionable if society ean afford to let it remain in private hands. The tendency is towards the eontrol of all thiR vast network from one central office, and that office might just as well be a government office subject to the people. It will be found neeessary. The government power over the railroads implied in the creation of the commission is practically unlimited.

Article

Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Register