The state herald., 1907-07-26
WHAT is NEEDED
RAILROAD COMMISSION DE-
MANps MORE POWER.
WILL ASK AID OF CONGRESS
Would Control capitalization to pre-
vent Watering Of Corporation
Stocks.

Washington X Lane, o
member of the Interstate Commerce
Commission, gave out prepared inter
view, designed to let the railroads,
and the public generally. know what
the commission wants in the way of
further federal legislation to extend
the functions of that body to the point
nearest perfect usefulness to the coun-
try. Mr.. Lane does not pretend to
speak officially on behalf OF the com
mission as whole, but poll OF tho
Individual members would reveal
views practically identical with those
held by Mr. Lane. Commissioner Lime
says that now that the commission
has gained "A really practical point OF
usefulness, legislation is needed to
cover the following important points
demanded 10 reach completion
The commission wants the power to
make rules governing such matters as
the furnishing of cars to shippers.
IL wants the power to control tho
movement. of cars at minimum rate
after the; are loaded.
II wants to have plenary power to
control the matter of the capitalization
0f railroads.
II wants to be given power to pre-
vent the watering of railroads stocks.
II wants more power governing the
movement of freight to consignees.
These points in brief" explained
Commissioner Lane. cover the mOst
important features OF railroading over
which the commission desires TO have
comprehensive authority.
1T was held by the Supreme Court,
us is gen ,rally known" ne continued.
that prior to recent enactment the
commission was without power TO fix
rates In way that would mean relief
to shippers. Under an act oi The last
Congress, express companies and slorp-
Ing car companies were brought un-
der the Jurisdiction Of the commission.
I'VE have exercised the power ON tx.
press companies" contiuod Commits
sioner Lane. and recently compirlnts
have been filed with us respecting
rates charged by the Pullman com
pany.
The commission was also given
power under the Hepburn act to insti
tute uniform accounting for all inter-
state curriers' in the United Sta,es.
which are some 200 In number and
operating approximately 220,O miles
o ftrackagc In the country. This sys-
ten of accounting has just been pun
| into effect.
We also now have the power TO eH-
anime the books Of all railroads.,
You asked me what the commission
has done; what Il has accompllshodg
We have spent considerable portion
of our time during the past year IA the
preparation for the accomplishment uf
greater uniformity In the practice and
methods of railroads throughout tho
country generally,
"A very considerable part Of our
work has been the constituting of acts
OF Congress. so that the railroads. TN
der all sorts Of conditions and clrcum-
stances. may know what Is required
| OF them.
"a strong effort will undoubtedly bo
made iring the next scs 'ion cf Con
! Fress 10 have the lntcrHtatc Commerce
| Commission granted power to mako
and enforce rules governing the matter
Of furnishing ears 10 shippers, and the
movement OF ears at some minimum
rate after the cars are lupdo1. There
Is no doubt a strong movement m Ia.
yor OF bringing under the control of
the commission, or some other federal
body. the supervision Of all the work %
capitallllng railroads, In order that tho
watering Of stock and other abuses in
/ furious 10 the public at large may bo
made impossible.
The work Of the commission has
been largely devoted 10 the suppress.
sion Of determinations In fave. OF
one locality and against another loca-
/ iion similarity situated 10 that IN. 10
/ cality Disseminated against laborcd up-
der a handicap which brought uponit n
/ handicap which brought uprn II "a
/ great and dangerous loss. We ha,s
| practically stopped Discrimination as
between individuals.
"Thc commission now has the ruwsr
/ 10 mako point ~ - and throush fGuteu
20 that II II not possible for railroad
/ 20 refuse an alliance with another nnd
smaller road. where there has never
/ been through route" concluded Mr.
Lane. In his summing up Of conditions
I'VE have power nlso TO require u rail-.
road 20 make connections with tho
main road-tho two roads being owned
and operated by separate bands az
capi,allnlH-Ho that the larger road IN
not able 10 XIII or even cripple tho
smaller road.
I'VE are crushing monopoly: We nfo
putting all men and all business con
Germs dealing with railroads upon
common level Of privilege. and WI viii
not allow railroads to control indus.
tries by offering rebates to certain men
and tfyiaE to murder smaller concerns.
That sums tho situation up according
10 our work Of today"