Gilpin observer., 1907-07-25
WHAT IS NEEDED
RAILROAD COMMISSION DE-
MANDS MORE POWER.
WILL ASK AID OF CONGRESS
Would Control Capitalization to pro-
vent Watering Of Corporation
StockA

SNSSN@
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. X. Lane, .
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 the
Individual members would reveal
views practically Identical with those
held by MIR. Lane. Commissioner Lane
says that now that the commission
has gained really practical point Of
usefulness, legislation is needed to
cover the following important points
demanded to reach completion:
The commission wants the power to
make rules governing such matters as
the furnishing of cars to shippers.
1t wants the power to control the
movement of cars at a minimum rate
after they are loaded.
1t wants to have plenary power to
control the matter of the capitalization
OF railroads.
1t wants to be given power to pre-
vent the watering of railroads stocks.
1t 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.
as 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 OF the last
Congress, express companies and sleep
Ing car companies were brought un
der the jurisdiction of the commission.
I'VE have exercised the power on ex-
press companies" contiued Commits
sioner Lane. and recently compile nts
have been filed with us respecting
rates charged by the Pullman COM
pany.
The commission was also given
power under the Hepburn act to insu
tute uniform accounting for I'll inter-
state carriers in the United States.
which are some 1,20O in number and
operating approximately 100000 miles
o ftrackage in the country. This sys-
tenn of accounting has just been put
into effect.
I'VE also now have the power to ex-
anime the books of all railroads
You asked me what the commission
has done; what it has accomplished?
We have spent a considerable portion
Of our time during the past year in the
preparation for the accomplishment OF
| greater uniformity in the practice and
| methods of railroads throughout the
country generally.
"A very considerable part of our
work has been the constituting of acts
of Congress, so that the railroads, un-
der all sorts of conditions and circum-
stances, may know what is required
Of them.
"A strong effort will undoubtedly he
made lring the next ses sion of Con-
gress to have the Interstate Commerce
Commission granted power to make
and enforce rules governing the matter
of furnishing cars to shippers, and the
movement of cars at some minimum
rate after the cars are loaded. There
Is no doubt strong movement in IA
vor of bringing under the control of
the commission, or some other federal
| body, the supervision of all the work Of
capitalizing railroads, in order that the
watering of stock and other abuses in
" at may b0
made impossible.
THE work of the commission has
been largely devoted to the suppress
sion of Determinations in fave. Of
one locality and against another loca-
tion similarity situated so that the 10
cality discriminateda against labored un-
der handicap which brought uponit a
handicap which brought upon IL IA
great and dangerous loss. We have
practically stopped discrimination as
between individuals.
THE commission now has the power
to make point rats and through routes
so that 1t is not possible for railroad
to refuse an alliance with another, ard
smaller road, where there has never
been through route" concluded Mr..
Lane, In his summing up Of conditions.
1--WE have power also to require rail-
road to make connections with the
main road-the two roads being owned
and operated by separate bands OF
capitaligts-so that the larger road Is
, not able to kill or even cripple the
smaller road.
1--WE are crushing monopoly; we are
putting all men and all business con-
Germs dealing with railroads upon a
common level of privilege, and we will
not allow railroads to control indus
| tries by Offering rebates to certain men
and trying to murder smaller concerns.
That sums the situation up according
to our work OF today"