The Washington herald., 1907-10-09

Ai4Ni| '1t~ SlSl5 uiutI Jue surface OF
things that the convention Of State Rail
way Commissions, which began here yes
terday, win develop some remarks and
probably some resolutions decidedly hos
tile 20 President Roosevelts plan Of ex-
tending Federal control There was no
opportunity FOR hostile debate at the
morning session which began at 10 o'clock
and ended at noon. for the slNrt time
was occupied by calling the roll. reading
a report of the organizations executive
committee, and by o pacific speech by
Chairman Knapp, Of the Interstate Com
merce Commission. The convention is
holding its sessions in the meeting room
.of the Interstate Commerce Commission.
and several members Of the Federal body
were present yesterday. The meeting was
attended by about nifty state railroad
commissioners. and it is expected that
this number wiz Do considerably increased
to-day
c. c. McChord, chairman Of the Ken
tucEy Railroad Commission, presided at
the opening session.
After having read the report Of the
executive committee. ia which pro-
gramme for the two-days' convention
was announced, Mr. McChord called on
Chairman Knapp for some remarks.
Knapp welcomes Them.
Mr. Knapp said be welcomed the dele
gates warmly because he w-s in full
sympathy with these conventions. and ne
added that he believed Washington was
the most appropriate meeting place. The
interstate commerce rooms he said. were
always AT the disposal Of the delegates
He confined his remarks mainly 90 the
necessity for co-opera ton in administra-
ton and for uniformity IN legislation.
Laws in tie various States" Dee said.
'in regard 20 the disposition Of property.
the settlement OF estates. thg-1nterest
charge on money, and many other things
may appropriately differ according 70 the
locality and the peculiar local conditions;
bat in the great field Of commerce we
find that the variety Of laws and regu-
lati0ns has produced condition which
is well nigh iutolerable.
Every man must realize the importance
Of obtaining the greatest possible har-
mony and uniformity IN these matters.
state lines are merely artificial In
such matters. for instance. as terminal
charges. demurrage. car-service rules. the
necessity OF uniformity appeals 20 every
thoushtfui person. The influence or this
body should be exerted % aIay friction
between the States and between an the
states and the Federal government
Il have no disposition TO discuss any
question Of constitutional power. but with
our dual system OF Federal power il g.
wen TO remember always than there is
every opportunity for differences OF opin-
ion which may produce q harmful an
Jagonism
At the conclusion Of Chairman Knapp's
remarks the convention adjourned for
luncheon. resuming its session az 2.G9
o'clock when an animated discussion fol-
lowed the presentation of reports by COM
mtJees.
Wants Uniform Accounts.
Martin s. Decker. a member Of the New
York public service commission. discussed
at some length the ACCESSIBILITY Of pro-
vidiug for a uniform system Of account
ing for both steam and electric railways.
AIaI ltt'A Z NA LN-E LN-4lliLll tte Dl -l1lt
crossings. prepared and read by Commits
sioner A. T. SIer, preclpitated q lively
debate that had not been finished when
The convention adjourned, just before 3
o'clock.
He stated, in substance, that the in
juries at grade crossings are increasing
with startling rapidly every year. and
recommended in behalf of the committee.
Of which he is chairman, that each State
commission recommend TO its legislature
the passage of a law requiring steam and
electric railways 10 run their lines above
or below grade
C0ncensus of opinion in the convention
seemed 90 be- that the subject Of grade
crossings should receive consideration be-
fore any action was taken. The sugEes-
ton was made by two or three cOmruis-
sioHers that the immediate aboHshnfent
of the grade crossing would impose heavy
burdens upon the railroads OF the country.
The convention VIII meet to-day az 10
o'clock
Some interesting developments are ex-
pected concerning the plan TO make a
physical valuation Of railroads. The tenn
per OF the convention as to further
amendments to the Hepburn act. enlarg-
ing the powers CT tie Federal govern
ment over railroads, viii be tested some