The Washington times., 1907-07-21
Growth of Federal Con-
troll Over the Rail-
roads.

FranklIa K. Lane. a member of the
Interstate Commerce Commission. gave
out a prepared interview today. designed
10 let the railroads. and the public gen
orally, know what the commission wants
In the way OF further Federal IesisIeuon,
20 extend the functions Of that body to
the point nearest perfect usefulness 10
the country. Mr.. Lane does not pretend
TO speak officially on behalf of the
commission as a whole, but a poll OF its
individual members would reveal views
practically Identical with those held by
Mr.. Lane.
1T was held by the Supreme Court,
as is generally known" said Commits
sioner Lane. in beginning a review Of the
powers which have thus far been grant
ed to the commission, and what II still
desires. that prior to recent enactment,
the commission was without power 10
FIX rates The decision was that the
commissions functions were little more
than advisory in character. The Hep
burn bill, however. promptly granted
this power to fix rates in a way that
would mean relief 10 shippers. This wal
The chief extension OF power given the
commission up to this time, but under
an act OF the last Congress. express COM
panies and sleeping car complies were
brought under the jurisdiction Of the
commission. and now the power to reg
ulate the rates Of these companies is as
absolute as the power 10 regulate freight
and passenger rates generally.
we have exercised this power on ex-
press companies" continued Commits
sioner Lane. and recently complaints
have been flied with US respecting rates
~
Institute Uniform Accounting.
THE commission was also given pow
er under the Hepburn act TO institute
a uniform accounting for all interstate
carriers in the United States, which
are some 200 in number and operating
approximately $4,000 miles of trackase
in the country. This system OF account
ing has just been put into effect. 1t re-
quires detailed accounts affecting large
number OF matters which heretofore
have had no attention from the rail-
roads. This will. in effect. bring about
a basis upon which the earnings OF one
railroad can be properly and intelligent
~ compared with the earnings Of anoth-
er, and upon which the operating ex-
penses of one road can be compared
with those of another. In n large num-
Der of ways. too, the public will be able
to secure a more exact knowledge of
important facts respecting the rail-
roads; particularly in regard to what
sums the railroads are spending and
what they are earning.
I'VE also now have the power to ex-
anime the books of all the railroads,
/ and through Il Uniform system of dc-
counting, such as we now have. II Will
be much easier to trace cases or re-
bates and the granting of special favors
/ granted to shippers, which, OF course,
are against the law.
You asked me what the commission
J has done: what II has accomplished
/ We have spent a considerable portion
what may be termed preparatory
work: that is to say In the prepare
/ ton for the accomplishment Of greater
uniformity in the practice and methods
OF railroads throughout the country gen
/ orally. We are endeavoring to secure a
uniform classification OF all freight. and
/ a uniform bill of lading. and we are
/ Offering Interpretation Of the laws TO
| all railroads for the sake or having
railroad practice conform to those laws.
Constituting Acts of Congress.
"a very considerable part Of our work
has been the constituting the acts OF
Congress, so that the railroads. under
! all sorts CT conditions and circum-
stances. may know what is required OF
them This we have done without for
mai complaint, but whenever a question
has arisen. and II has been indicated
10 US that the railroads showed any
doubt whatever as to the proper inter-
probation of the law, we have made a
ruling upon the question involved, 80