The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-18
RAILROAD RATE QUESTION
SENATE COMMITTEE TO START
TAKING TESTIMONY TO-DAY.

All the Principal Railroads and Many OF
the shippers 10 lie Heard-The Com.
mittee Determines 20 60 Thoroughly
into Every Phase OF the Subject.
WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE Senate Com
mIttee on Interstate Commerce held two
bours executive session to day and decided
10 start in tomorrow gatbe ring evidence
10 help II prepare a bill intended to give
greater amount of Federal control over
railway rates. Twenty witnesses have
been summoned and more will probably
be heard.
Senator Elltins, the chairman, and seven
other members OF the committee were
present. They were Senator'S Cullom,
Kean, Deliver, Foraker and Capp, He
publicans, and Carmack and Newands,
Democrats. Chairman Elkins announced
that he had notified all the principal rail-
roads that they would be heard If they
desired, and that notice had been given
that shippers and others who would like
10 give the committee the benefit Of their
views would be heard also.
Mr. Elkins said that Attomey-General
Moody would shortly render an opinion as
to the constitutionality of certain proposals
affecting the railway rate question, and In
answer to a question be said that he under
stood that the Attomey-Ceneral would
hold that Congress had the right to dele
gate to the Interstate Commerce Com
mission OF other body the right 70 fix rates.
Mr. Moody will give an opinion also as
to whether, if rates fNed by the Interstate
Commerce Commission are held to be as
T.. Il. AtVaa tHan HVN
against another American port, they will
not be IN conflict with that clause Of the
Constitution which apparently forbids such
discrimination.
The COMMITTEES has determined to go
thoroughly into every phase OF the railroad
questions which have recently been the
subject Of newspaper and political agitation,
including terminal facilities and the opera
ton OF private car lines.
Senator Newlands read a statement to
the committee in support OF his joint reso-
luton creating a commission TO frame a
national incorporation act Tor railroads
engaged in interstate commerce MIR.
Newiands said it was his purpose TO ascer-
tain the views Of witnesses on the question
Of national incorporation, taxation and
regulation of railroads, and on other points
covered by his resolution, with view TO
preparing a comprehensive bill that would
unity and simplify the railway systems
increase the security Of railway invest
ments, inaugurate a simple and just system
Of taxation, protect the shippers against
unjust or discriminating rates, and pro-
vide for an insurance or pension fund for
EMPLOYEES and for arbitration Of disputes
between the railroads and their employees
He explained his sch me in detail.
A communication on the rate question
from Senator Morgan Of Alabama was
also laid before the committee.
80 ksa HFtaaf fnN hon oh
that the hearings should be finished by
MAY /, but others believed that it would be
necessary TO sit until June, and II was urged
that il would he good idea to have the
hearin q extended until the meeting Of the
international Railway Conference is begun
here on May l2, when delegates could be
summoned before the committee.
The committee agreed TO meet daily at
II O'Clock and sit until g. with an hours
intermission for luncheon.
Victor Marowetz Of New York, who rep
rcsents the Dutch holders Of Santa Re
railroad bonds, will be the first witness.