New-York tribune., 1907-10-11
OPPOSE RATE POLICY.
Rail5cdy Commissioners Take Issue
zCith National Government.

Washington, Oct 10-The committee on rates and
rate making in its report presented 10 the nine
teenth annual convention of the National Assocld-
ton Of Railway Commissioners to-day takes Issue
with the national government on the subject or
federal control which the committee holds is i'm
possible without amendment to the constitution
The committee declares that the people demand
that the control Of rates be lodged near at nome
possible. The committee also urges uniformity
Of action between the federal and state railway
authorities and that, in some instances at least
the state railway commissioners act as agents Io'
the Interstate Commerce Commission.
O. p Gathlin. Of Ohio. presented report on
Uniform Classification" in which he offered
resolution that 1t the sense OF the cohVehuoh
that Congress enact a law requiring the Inter
state Commerce Commission at once to proceed to
make such uniform classification, and. when so
made by such commission. the same shall be the
legal classification for interstate shipments. inc
report recommended the appointment OF special
committee to hasten the adoption Of uniform
classification Of freight
Mr. Gathlin explained that the report meant that
no effective action will he taken by the carriers
There is fear among the public" said he that
If the uniform classification is left 10 the carriers
it will result in a general advance in class rates.
Commissioner Burr, of Florida said the Inter
state Commerce Commission ought to have the
control over classification over rates
while it is best to give the Interstate Commerce
Commission a fair trial of the Hepburn act he
II
not the authority control classification OF rates
It ought TO be given that authority The railroads
employ these classifcatiOns favorite method OF
raising rates Mr.. Burr declared that the Inter
state Commerce Commission had no authority TO
change rates except upon hearing The report Of
the committee was adopted.
Commissioner Martin S Decker. OF New York,
presented the report for the committee on Iegis-
lation H. said that the enactment of the Hepburn
rate law "a great victory for the people and
a magnificent Endorsement of the President. the
Interstate Commerce Commission and the State
Railroad Commission" Tie report adds:
That the laws passed ny state legislatures during
the year for the regulation of railway traffic and
services would he regarded with satisfaction by all
railway companies and others who must conform
10 such prohibitions and requirements may not, OF
course be expected. Nevertheless, It is significant
of the effect of an aroused public opinion that
very many railway officers have during the year
freely conceded that regulation fair and Just as
between the railways and the public promotes the
stability and even operates as partial guarantee
of railway revenues.
Apparently the apprehension of many railway
executives is that the roads possibly may be sub
jected to serious loss with interstate traffic regu-
lated by a strong federal commission and Congress
standing ready TO pass further restrictive laws,
and state traffic generally regulated by state
commissions having large powers with such addi-
tonal laws may be enacted by state legislatures.
This fear. something like It, is found in frequent
expressions OF opinion OF railway managers. but
the statements so made utterly disregard the con-
stitutional safeguards to property which may al
ways be secured through judicial procedure.
The report urged substantial harmony in rail-
way legislation with respect TO all phases of the
complex question. 1t recommended that the
committee for the ensuing year be increased TO
eleven members, and that It should consider fully
what uniformity in legislation is desirable re-
quired," and that II meet with committees OF Con-
gress and Of the various state legislatures" Tho
report of the committee adopted practically
without discussion.
The report Of the committee safety appliances
was submitted by William Fitzpatrick. OF Illinois.
On motion OF Mr.. Fitzpatrick special committee
mendations regarding the Of safety appiiaaces
and legislation bearing them.
The afternoon session devoted 10 a discus
sion of the report Of the committee railroad
statistics. The methods eof arriving the best
results in computing the earnings and revenues
and expenditures, both interstate and intrastate,
and apportioning them rightly among the states
through which line may pass, almost nu-
nlerous as the delegates Finally, however. the re-
port Of the committee adopted the convention
placing the question Of plan for the preparation
of a statistical scheme in the hands OF the com
mittee with request that it confer with the COM
missions and attorneys general of the various
state Commerce Commission.