Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-06
an Important Bill Now Under Con-
sideration in the House.
RAILROAD COMMISSCNERS INDoRSE IT
TIE Contacts to Be Under Gov
eminent Control.
l. A b r PPO TITO n

The railway pooling bill. which is row be-
fore the House, and which will occupy the
attention of the House for several days
under a special order. is bill of consider
able Importance and is likely to meet with
some opposition. The object of the bill is
to authorize competing common carriers.
subject to the provisions of the Interstate
commerce act, to enter into contract for
the division of their earnings by the for
nation of a pool.
The Present Layv.
Section of the present interstate rom-
ne-ce law, known as the pooling section.
declares such contracts to be unlawful
The policy of Incorporating this section in
to the law was graveiy doubted at the time
of its passage. The history of the legisla-
tion discioses the fact that the bill TO reg
ulate commerce passed the Senate without
this section and that it was added in the
House. through the earnest advocacy OF
Judge Reagan of Texas, who was at that
time chairman of the committee OF COM
ul-r,e In the House. The bill went to u
conference committee, and, after every OH
cr provision had been agreed to, the Sem
ate ccrterecs stoou out against the anti
pooling section, and yielded only when
Judge Reagan announced his purpose not
10 agree 10 am bill unless that section was
Incorporated.
Ju,:.e TScagnn Changes His Mind.
Subsequently, Judge Reagan resigned
from Congress to accept the presidency CT
the railroad commission of Texas. After
much praC Ctical experience in answer TO a
letter addressed by the Interstate COM
TIcrCe commission TO the railroad comnIs-
s.OHers in the several states, Judge Reagan
sad: r Ii ther study has caused me TO be-
Lese that the section may be amended so
as 10 benefit both the railroads and the
people. by aHQW.EB the railroads to enter
I..tO Jiil!ic arrangements with one anoth-
er.' Every response, except the one from
the commissioner Of Minnesota, was to the
same effect.
J1.dcr Government Control.
Thc first section of the bill under con-
slderat!On amends the anti-pColing section
of the Interstate commerce law by re-
enactiug the section substantially as it
is in tae act, and theE providing that the
iuhibiti.e contract may be made under
the restrictions and limitations provided.
The practical effect is 10 place the con-
tract under the exclusive control of the
Interstate commerce commission, subject
TO naal review By the Supreme Court of
the United States. and unless that court
Should reverse the aciiLn Of the commits
sion and approve the contract, it cannot
exist Day longer than the commission de-
tur!E.ncs. While proceedings are pending &
III the courts, the action Of the commits
sion has the effect to render the contract
Illegal and uneufOTCtble and the parties
to II are reicgated TO the provisions of
the antI-pOOliug section.
fine BiiI TO BE Pushed.
The bill has been reported from the COM
Uerce committee with a favorable report
1t is understood to have the Endorsement
of the interstate commerce commission and
will be vigorously pushed. 1t is said, how
ever, that there is u disposition on the
part O. some labor organizations to OPP
pose such provisions of the bill.