Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-15
VALUE OF RAILWAYS
La FoLLETTE'S BILL REFERRED
TO INTERSTATE COMMISSION.
If Report is Favorable Efforts Will Be
Made to Pass the Measure
This Session.

Another drive at the railways was made
in Congress today, when the Senate COM
mittee on interstate commerce referred the
La Toilette valuation bill to the interstate
commerce commission for report and rec
ommendation. If the report is favorable,
the committee will take up the bill for
consideration next week, with the view Of
action by Congress at this session.
Opposition to the Measure.
When the rate bill was under considera-
ton a year ago Senator La Toilette Of
fered an amendment IDENTICAL in terms with
the pending bill providing for the valuation
of railroads, but it was laid on the table.
Opposition to his measure developed to-
day, coming from the same senators who
opposed radical features of the railroad rate
bill when it was in committee last session.
1t was apparent today, however, that there
are enough votes in the committee to re-
port the bill whenever it can be brought to
a vote. The senators who opposed the re-
port today said that their objections were
not because they were against the PROPOSE
ton to ascertain the value of railroads, but
because of their belief that there should
be certain amendments to the bill. 1t was
said that the task proposed to be placed on
the interstate commerce commission might
hamper that body in performing other nee
essary work. At the suggestion of these
senators it was agreed that the bill should
be referred to the commission for a report
as to whether that body desired any amend
ments.
The reply of the commission is expected
Tuesday. and the bill then will be reported
unless amendments are offered and sup
ported in such manner as to prevent
action.
Provisions of the Bill.
The bill provides that the interstate
commerce commission shall investigate
and ascertain the fair value of the prop
erty of every railroad engaged in inter-
state commerce and used by it for the con-
venience of the public. For the purpose
of such an investigation the commission
is authorized to employ such engineers,
experts and other assistants as may be
necessary. Such investigation is to be
commenced not later than April 1, 1907,
and is to be prosecuted with diligence and
thoroughneSS, and the results thereof re-
ported to Congress at the beginning Of
each regular session. Such valuation
shall show the value of the property
value Of it's property in each of the sew
eral states or territories, or the District of
Columbia
If notice of contest is filed by any rail-
road the commission shall fix time for
hearing the same and shall proceed as
promptly as may be to hear and consider
any relative and material matter present.
ed in support of its protest. If after hear
ing any contest the commission is of the
opinion that it's valuation is incorrect 1t
shall make such changes shall make the
valuation of such property fair one, and
shall issue an order making such corrected
valuation final. All final valuations by
the commission shall be prima facie evil
dence OF the fair value of the railroad
property in all proceedings under this act.