The Washington times., 1907-03-19
Supposed That New Haven's President Will Tell
Roosevelt That State and Federal Regulations
Are Already ThrottIing Railroad Business
CHARLES S. MELLEN,

The railroad dnanciers and executives
Of the country are concerned about
other things than the disposition Of the
State Legislatures TO rush into the field
Of regulation Of Interstate commerce.
They are exceedingly anxious 70 know
accurately ard early what the President
proposes TO demand Of the next Con-
gress in the way Of additional Federal
regulation.
in fact, there is good authority for
saying that instead OF coming TO the
President with frank surrender 90
Federal authority. and an expression Of
willingness to be regulated by It. the
railroad men are now making an effort
% convince the President that the ad-
C:tion Of more Federal regulations at
thic time. on top Of the recent enact
mcnts Of both the National and State
Legislatures, would make the burden
heavier Jhau they could safely bear In
short. they are going TO make the State
regulations the excuse for begging i'm
mUrity from any more Federal laws at
this time
Income Less; Expenses More
Although President Charles S. Mel
len. Of the New Haven road, who came
to town last night with an appointment
70 talk to the President this afternoon,
would not discuss his mission here, il
is said that the presentation Of this
view will constitute an important part
of his discourse with the Chief Execu-
tive. The railroad mon have been lay
ing much emphasis lately on the effects
of the State legislation. They have
pointed out that so many States have
Joined in IL, and have gone so far with
their legislation that a considerable ef-
"a he
duced Not only viii income be re-
duced in a measure that cannot now be
accurately IS timated. but expenses will
be increased by many Of the new reg
ulations. both State and Federal
This is the proposition TO which the
Presidents attention is expected 20 be
directed by President AIellen, and by
other representatives Of the financial
and railroad interests, who will from
time 10 time see the President The
railroad men have been greatly worried
by reports that the President has in
mind to subject them 70 much more
rigorous Government control over rates
They are much concerned by the dis
position Of the Interstate Commerce
Commission to use such power rates as
it now enjoys. and TO demand more.
The Spokane Case.
Specifically. there IS now in progress in
Chicago the first hearing. before The
commission, in the famous Spokane
rate case IF the people Of Spokane,
Wash. should win n this case it would
result in an immense scaling down Of
rates throughout the whole region west
of the Missouri river. The President
himself has beer convinced that such a
scaling is needed It was because OF
this conviction. in large part. that he
ordered Investigation OF the Hartman
system, and later OF the Hill system Of
rCads The commission strongly sides
with the contentious Of the people Of
Spokane. whose case is typical OF the en-
t'e interior between the Missouri river
and the coast range Of mountains. Fif-
teen years agO this same case was pre-
sented to il. and the commission would
have ordered large reductions Of rates
il ii had had power. II now has the
power, ard its disposition is TO make
The re -uctiOHs.
II this is done. the profits Of the big
systems west of Chicago viii be tre-
mendously reduced. Moreover. it is In
this same territory that the State LeSis-