The Washington times., 1905-01-20
STRONG ARGUMENT
FOR REBATE BILL
Hearing Before Committee
on Interstate Commerce.
SOURCE OF THE COMPLAINTS
Desire Expressed to Get at the Facts
and to Hear Views CT Those
Interested

Arguments in favor of an increase of
the powers of the Interstate Commerce
Commission to regulate railroad rates
We're heard today by the Senate Com
mlttee on Interstate Commerce at the
Capitol The witnesses heard We're R.
Hudson Burr. of Florida, and Charles
F. Staples, of Minnesota, each mem
Der of the Board of State Railway Com
missioners. and in attendance here as
representatives of the National Associa-
ton of Railway Commissioners.
The testimony given by two experts
was. in brief, that changes are decidedly
necessary IN amplification Of the pres
ent law. Neither desired to express a
definite statement for or against the
Quaries-Cooper bill, believing it did not
go far enough
Senators Evince Interest.
Beth witnesses aroused the interests
Of Senators and many queries were pro-
pounded. SO that the committee sat in
session long after the Senate had con-
vened. Each declared he had to re-
turn to his distant home tonight on
official business, and chairman Elkins
expressed the hope that both could tes-
tify further on some date in February,
at which time Mr.. Staples said he eX-
poets TO be here again.
In executive session after the conciu-
sion of the testimony of the two wit
nesseS no decision was arrived at as to
when the committee should hear further
testimony from these witnesses.
President Isucius Tuttle. of the Maine
Central Railroad, and other raj road
presidents. have notified the commission
of a desire to present their views. and
they will be heard next.
Beverly T. Crump of Virginia, was
present in the same capacity as the
frrrn
He said he would have to be in Rich
moEd tomorrow for a short time, where
upon Chairman Elkins suggested that he
might give his testimony when the
other witnesses returned in February.
The members of the delegation pres
ent, in addition to those mentioned,
were:
c. c. McChord, of Kentucky; Frank
LIE Coca, jr., OF South Dakota; J. H.
Wharton, of South Carolina; John w.
Thomas. of Wisconsin; James s. Ne
vile, of Illinois; B. B. Conner, of Ala
bama
Know Public Sentiment.
Witness Burr. in starting to give his
views, read resolution adopted at the
last convention of the State railroad
commissioners at Birmingham. advocat-
ing amendment Of existin CLAW so the
Interstate Commerce Commission can
fix rates.
The railway commissioners believe
themselves in a position to know what
the people want. he said, and can pre-
sent to Congress the crystallized pub.
lie sentiment Of the country. Most OF
the complaints to State boards cannot
be reached by State laws, so that the
compliments want some remedy to be
provided by Congress in new legislation
for, the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion
Chairman Elkins wanted to know
whether the State board ever increased
a rate which was too low. Witness re-
piled in the affirmative. There are 1000
miles of railroad in Florida, and the
witness, in answer to Mr. Newlands.
described how roads there can combine
and on what basis the State board re-
duces rates which it deems excessive.
Classifcations Changed.
The complaints made against the rail-
roads. witness said. are changing the
classification of goods, thereby raising
the rates. In two and one-half years
there had been 500 instances CT articles