New-York tribune., 1906-08-18
RATE LAW DIFFICULTY
CONFUSION NOT READY.
Three of SeUen Members Green
Serious Problems to SoIUe.
rrrom The TrIbune BuEeau.l ]

xzy..t,,csor. Aug. 1.-THE Interstate Com
v-,ercs Commission is likely to be as unprepared
for some features OF ts work in putting the rate
law into effect as the railroads are to accept s
provisions. Il IS little more than week beTofe
Anr,sr as when The law becomes operative and
the existing commission OF five men is replaeeo
nv the new one OF seven. yet practically nothing
has been heard here from the new men.
Franklin K. Lane Of California, was appointed
20 an existing vacancy after nine months OF de-
lay BY the Senate in confirming his nomination
He is somewhere In the West The members OK
the present commission have heard nothing from
him and are unaware Of what his plans may be-
but he is expected TO be IN Washington by Au-
gust Is. when the commission must organize ror
business. A letter has been received from d. h'
Clark Of Iowa, whom the President appointed
commissioner few weeks ago. He said that ne
sntended to reach Washington some time next
week. The other member OF the commission.
James s. Harlan OF Chicago. was appointed to-
day. and. OF course has not been heard from
There will be a deal OF work for the commits
sion fn putting the new law into operation, and
numerous perplexing questions VIII confront the
commission from the start Three Of the seven
Eaeuabers VIII be entirely new, having no w
formation about even the routine work. SO that
81 tbs circumstances it is likely 20 take long
tine Cor the commission TO reach decisioaA-
Commissioner Clements said to-day he was
not surprised 20 learn that the railroad attorneys
were 50 consultation at various places in order 70
reach 8 common decision as 20 the Interpretation
os the new rate law that would be accepted By
the roads.
4sThe commission" he added, 'itselt has urged
upon all Of the railroads the necessity for pronDt
preparation for compliance with the provisions
OF the new law as soon as Il becomes operative.
and 20 this end has invited them 70 appoint
committees Of conference among themselves and
with the commission, particularly IN respect to
the preparation and publication OF tariffs and
the keeping OF accounts. books. etc.
Naturally when the accountants and tzaric
managers come together ana confer as 20 what
win In this ana that particular be a compliance
with the new law many contrary views arise
that VIII require advice from the legal depart
ments Of the roads. II the carriers were acting
With an eye single 20 complete and bona hde
compliance with the commands OF the law, the
traffic msnagers would necessarily have to have
recourse to their lawyers. It would follow In
turn that in order to Insure uniformity the
1awyers would want 70 confer among them
selves. Whether or not there be justification for
the report that they conferTing with view
TO defeating the purposes OF the law am. Of
course, wholly unadvised I would not assume
any such purpose as that simply because they
are comforting, which for the reasons stated
would be perfectly reasonable and natural and
10 be expected
cit must be apparent TO all, including even
those railway men who IN the past have been
inclined to regard the railways as q piece Of
private property TO be dealt with by the owners
they chose, and without restraint, that the
time has come when what they do in their bust
ness. which involves the rights and interests of
the public, must be an open book, so that they
themselves. having rights involved, may have
the means Of knowing whether or not they are
protected, and do not believe the well advised
railroad lawyers OF the country will waste their
time in attempting resistance to this we'll set
tied public purpose for the future"