Mr. TowNSEND. And if you raise a certain rate by the railroads is it
not liable in the same manner to raise unreasonably the hundreds and
thousands of other rates that depend upon that ?

Mr. Bird. It might be possible.
Mr. TowNSEND. You admit that the Government has a right to
regulate, do you not, and that the Government is interested for the
people in the fixing of these rates ?

Mr. Bird. It is.
Mr. ToAVNSEND. But you condemn giving to a commission the
power which you admit ought to be possessed by the railroads ?

Mr. Bird. Not altogether so. I want to make it as plain to this
committee as I can that the passage of such an act as is proposed
would result in its becoming inoperative largely, difficult, and bur-
densome, because no such number of men can administer the affairs
of this country in respect to the great traffic of the country.
Mr. TowNSEND. Do the railroads of this country have any fixed
scheme or method which they follow in fixing a rate — ^in raising or
lowering a rate ?

Mr. Bird. No, sir ; but there are so many diverse interests, so many
elements of competition, that in fixing and attempting to adjust
their rates the tendency is always downward. We do not glory
in that as representing the railroads, but it is a fact. Please keep
in mind that I have no purpose of obstructing any plan which this
committee in its wisdom may report to Congress. I think the situa-
tion is so grave, the interests at issue are so numerous, that this com-
mittee should have its attention called to the practical difficulties.
