Omaha daily bee., 1897-05-17
THE POOLING QUESTION.

A bill was introduced In the United
rfs of Kansas, for the regulation OF In
terstate commerce, with n provision for
pooling under certain conditions, which
Is likely to attract some attention 1t
provides for transforming the Interstate
Commerce commission into Il court of
railway commissioners, the proposed
court to consist of seven members and
to have exclusive jurisdiction of all mat
ters arising under the bill. 1t Is pro-
vided that the country shall be divided
into seven districts, each district 10 be
presided over by member OF the court.
In regard to pooling, the conditions
under which contracts between com
peting railroads may be made are in the
main similar to those provided in the
bill introduced n short time ago by Sen
ator Foraker. A pooling contract can
not become operative until 1t has been
approved by the court of railway COM
missioners and the court is empowered
to. make an order of disapproval when
ever, upon investigation and consider
alton, it shall be of the opinion that the
operation of any such contract would
result in unreasonable rates, i'm
proper classification, unjust dis
elimination insufficient service to the
public or otherwise contravene any of
the prov isions of the act. The proposed
court is to have concurrent jurisdiction
with other United States courts in all
cases of negligence and the jurisdiction
conferred is to be criminal as we'll as
civil. The bill is made applicable to
express and other transportation COM
panies.
1t will be seen that this measure pro-
poses to materially enlarge the authority
and powers of the Interstate Commerce
commission and If this can be done in
the manner proposed-that is, by con-
stituting the commission Il cOurt-it
would probably increase the efficiency
of that body. The important feature of
the Harris bill, however is that rclat-
ing to pooling. This question is receiv-
ing Il great deal of consideration in rail
way and business circles and is certain
to be prominent in the deliberations of
congress at the regular session. Com
missioner Blanchard of the Joint Traffic
association of eastern lines has been
discussing the subject through the press
thus attcsting the great interest that is
felt in it by the railroad managers, who
undoubtedly are intending to prosecute
II vigorous campaign in behalf of Il pool
ing bill as soon N congress shall meet
i'll regular session next December. And
in this they will have strong business
support, particularly iii the east. Dur
ing the past week the Trade league Of
Philadelphia, representing various bust
ness interests of that city. adopted a
resolution declaring in favor of an
amendment to the interstate commerce
law providing for pooling under certain
conditions
1t is not known Just what the senti-
nent in congress is on this question.
but it is probable that it is rather more
favorable to a carefully regulated pool
ing system, under the supervision of
the Interstate Commerce commission,
than before the decision of the supreme
court adverse to traffic associations. AS
to public opinion it is undoubtedly as
much divided as ever, with probably a
| majority sentiment in favor of letting
the anti-pooling clause of the interstate
commerce act stand.