The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1907-10-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.

The National Association of Railway
Commission, in annual session in Wash
ington this week, has placed itself on
record as opposed to Federal control of
the railroads of the country and has vir.
tually repudiated the proposition advo-
Gated by President Roosevelt that the
Federal government assume complete
control over all interstate railways.
The sentiment of the National Asso-
citation was formally manifested by the
unanimous adoption of the reports of two
committees: towit, the committee on
amendment of the act to regulate conf
merce, and the committee on powers,
duties, and work of state railway COM
missions. Franklin McNeils of North
! Carolina, chairman of the committee on
amendment, submitted report declaring
against any material amendment of the
Hepburn law, at least until the act had
been fully tried. Benjamin F. Chad
bourne, of Maine, chairman of the COM
mittee on powers, &C., pointed out, in
his report, the usefulness of the com
missions of the various states, and de-
clared in favor of an extension of their
powers, instead of a curtailment, as has
been proposed by the President.
Mr.. Chadbourne, in the course of his
remarks, said, I'VE cannot pass lightly
the suggestion of Federal incorporation of
railroads and that of government owner
ship, so often heard. The assembling of
the smaller corporations into the immense
combinations of today brought few
moneyed men and corporations into
ownership and control, those who had
local interests, enterprises and benefits,
going out. In this evolution clear field
was opened for overcapitalization, dis
elimination, rebates and all of the other
wrongs that make Federal interference
necessary.
"The railroad commissions of the var
ious states long since demonstrated their
value to the people as we'll as to the rail
roads. 1t may we'll be asked whether any
of the things now complained of as wrong
would have happened if the State COM
missions had been clothed with greater
powers.
GAS long as the several states have the
power of granting railroad charters can
not that body have the granting of chart
ers under well-regulated general law
They could pass upon the question of
public convenience as intelligently and
as conscientiously as the legislatures.
They are every day in contact with the
transportation problem, and could exercise
the better judgement as to financing.
Their investigation as to locations of road
bed and stations would be more careful
than would be possible for the legislative
body to make.
whatever may be the powers given
the Federal body in railroad regulation,
there will always be useful field for the
work of the State railway commission
They can work in harmony with the
Federal body in many ways, be of great
service to them, and be the means of in
spring the people with the feeling that
there are local Influences, acting alike for
them and the railroads in the adjustment
of the fair deal.
"If as has been said, there is a tendency
toward great Capitalization of power-a
surrender of the rights of the State to the
national government-the nearer the
Federal body gets to the people the
better, and in this instance the State rail.
road commission is the best means of so
doing"
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