ing conditions. Such discriminations are not caused by the railroads but are the result of geography and competition. The present law, if enforced, is ample to prevent any “unjust” discrimination.
High rates do not exist as a rule, and all evidence and the general conditions point to the fact that there is no real ground for apprehension that rates will be materially higher than they are now if the natural play of commercial forces and geographical and market competition is allowed to go on without artificial interference. In fact, if railroad-owners are not hampered and restricted too much, and are encouraged to perfect the means of transportation and the expansion of business, the rates in this country will probably continue to fall gradually, so that they will be below the present very low average of three fourths of a cent. On the other hand, discourage the railroad-owner, and give the Federal Government the power to fix the actual rate, and the tendency will be to an average higher rate.
