RAILROAD TARIFF.
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR announced the special order being Mr. Campbell's bill [S. 101] and Mr. McCollough's bill [S. 19] defining unjust discriminations of railroads-see page 239 of the Brevier Reports-the question being on a Committee report, recommending that the bill [S. 19] lie on the table
Mr. BELL hoped the report of the Committee will be concurred in and thus the bill be laid on the table. The purpose of the bill is good enough, and if it, would accomplish that it should have his hearty support. The evils aimed ought to be controlled and prevented. The vice lies in the second section of the bill, which rests upon an assumption which is not true. It will not do to assume it is unjust to charge more for carrying a less distance than a greater. If this bill were to become a law it would deprive competing points of the benefit of competition, as he proceeded to illustrate. To stop and start an ordinary freight, train of say twenty cars on an ordinary grade costs from $1 to $3. Distance is not the main element to take into consideration when computing proper rate of charges.
Mr. FAULKNER cited unjust, discriminations by railroads as against the town in which he lived.
Mr. BELL: Such action is wrong and ought to be stopped; but for a few abuses he would not enact a law that would seriously affect places where there is competition. It would be unwise, injurious and injudicious to pass this bill. To a certain extent, a railroad ought to be under the control of the Legislature. What is set forth in the bill should not be considered as unjust discrimination; it would deprive people at competing points of an advantage. The policy of the State should be to encourage competition. There are very objectionable features in this bill. You affect injuriously the railroads of this country and you affect the very heart of business. This bill would injuriously affect the interest of thousands where it would advance the interests of one.
Mr. CAMPBELL: It has been stated that an Indiana Assembly has neither brains nor integrity enough to enact railroad legislation He believed the contrary to be true. It is a question of great magnitude, and one which demands specific legislation. A Railroad Company can transport ten car loads at a less rate per car than it can transport one, and the price may be based on cost and not go beyond what is equitable. If he received one car load and another ten cars the Company may make a difference as to Ac ex^ct cost, or percentage of cost. Mr. C. gave way for a motion to adjourn.
The Senate adjourned till 9 o'clock to-morrow.
