Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1905-10-09
Interesting Work for Pri.
Vate Car Line Inquiry.
COMMERCE COMMISSION TO
BEGIN HEARING NEXT WEEK
Study Of The Vextd Question viii
Have Important Effect in Opening
PubIlc's Eyes TO True
InwardneSS.
Correspondence Morning journal

Correspondence Morning journal.
Washington. Oct. S.-The interstate
commerce commission will begin in
this city series Of hearings in the prl-
vate ear line cases October is, ANA
although the committees .of both
houses OF congress have gone into this
identical question at considerable
length, the greatest interest is mani
Tested IN the reopening of the matter
next month.
III is believed by those who have
given the private car line controver-
sy their most serious consideration that
The hearings before the commission
may be productie of much good In
throwing additional light upon the
general merits of the whole vexed
question Of railroad rates and their
regulation under government control.
For ono thing, the scope of the in
quiry TO be conducted by the commis-
sion will moi be nearly so broad as that
before the committee of the senate
ma house. where it may be said with
out eXaggeraton the meat OF the CO.
aoanut was often ignored for days at
1 time, In order that a minute exami-
nation might he made Of the husk.
This was IN a measure inevitable, ow-
ng 10 the appearance before the two
committees OF theorists and dreamers
as well as railroad men. business men
and practical menof affairs Further
more. the interstate commerce COM
mission is composed of men who have
made practically life study OF rail-
read conditions and their questions
will be framed with a view Of securing
MA practical men of affairs. unln-
'umbered with data, and not entirely
yermane They will proceed along
specific lines OF inquiry and VIII en-
ieavor to learn In the shortest possi-
lie time, all the additional facts they
nu phont private ear lines and their
citation 10 general freight transporta-
don conditions.
IL Is more than probable that after
he Washington series Of hearings,
which will probably cover a consider
tble period The commission will jour
pey TO several private car line centers,
cveral In the west. and possibly one
lr two in the south and continue their
uyestigations on the spot,
The Commissions Attitude.
The members of the Interstate COM
merce commission have not yet decid-
"a whether the annual report OF the
body for this year. which viii be sub
uitted to congress before the holiday
djournment shall contain an ex-
ended and comprehensive review OF
he present situation IN regard to rail-
road rate legislation; reafilmation of
he commissions position in the mat
Ter ana resume of its recommenda-
ions to bring about relief. But at any
-ate II is probable that the commis-
hon will devote brief but important
ft. - -, nf
lne phase Of the ease which has been
out briefly dwelt upon IN the past.
This particular phase OF the situa-
ion has TO do with means and not
ntent 1t may sound like an eXagger-
ttion 90 say That this particular fact
vas not sufficiently considered last
genr. when almost every man interest,"
"a ina the situation had a "sure cure
Tor all ills aud was anxious 10 see II
lut Ia operation at once. l,ut re-
view OF The situation Is convincing In
this regard.
A high official Of the government
aud a man who has made lifelong
study of railroad aud freight transpor-
ion conditions, spoke al length today
Of this phase Of the ease. This Is
he substance Of what he said
"a great many people-appareni
majority OF those who have undertake
N 10 lend their aid IN solving this
:reat problem ARE confident that the
inly thing necessary Is to endow the
Interstate commerce commission with
.reater power and let them do the
est. The effect of practically all OF
he remedies put forward at the last
'esslon Of congress was something
ilong this line.
"Bul II must not be forgotten that
ongress has not the power 70 dele-
ate rs legislative functions II can
rot create a body OF men. under what
YER title you please, and endow II
with wide, discretionary power Con-
iequenty Il is very plain that any
ourt, committee or commission Great
n by congress with authority to deal
with the situation-~to make railroad
rates must in actual operation pos
0ss very limited discretionary pow
r. All the strengthening Of the adj
ninisiratve methods Of such body
hat may be attempted will not alter
hat fact when the foundation upon
Which that administrative power rests
Is weak and full Of cracks.
Twenty years ago, before the pas
'agc OF the original act to regulate
Interstate commerce. tho long and
hort haul controversy--th question
" the right OF the railroads TO charge
a higher rate for a shorter haul--was
the all-abserhing topic There rs M
ioubt in my mind that congress In
ended IN section four Of the act TO
regulate interstate commerce. TO pro-
vide a remedy for the conditions then
fnmnalned Of The language OF the
section Is guarantee to that, as the
particular provision says that II shall
ie unlawful for any common carrier
'ubioct to the provisions Of this act to
eceive any greater compensation IN
ihe aggregate under substantially SIM
lar circumstances and conditions for
1 shorter than for a longer distance
over the same line In the same direc-
tlon, the shorter being included within
he longer distance.
There Is no reason to doubt the
sincerity Of those who fnmed that
particular piece Of legislation. and yet
what was this effect Immediately
was begun q legal controversy that
lasted for many wears and that WIS