Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-09
STATES RIGHT TO CONTROL
DECIDED VIEWS HELD BY SOME
RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS.
Methods Of Accounting and Grade
Crossing Dangers Discussed
By the Association /

Consideration of reports OF standing
committees was continued at today's
sessions of the nineteenth annual conven-
ton of the state railway commissioners.
Interesting features on the program were
the discussion of the reports on Rates
and Rate Making and on Legislation"
Some OF the commissioners have very de-
cided views respecting both Of these SUBJ
jects, anu the likelihood is that during
the convention the right of states 10 enact
and enforce regulatory legislation will be
urged vigorously.
H. p. Gillette, engineer of the Washing
ton state commission, discussed the fair
valuation of railroad property" He
maintained that ii IS not what money is
invested, hut what it may cost to repro
duce," for il may cost less or more now to
reproduce than at the time OF construc-
ton.
velt's ideas of federal control of railroads
was developed in the consideration of the
report of the committee on the powers,
duties and work Of state railway COM
missions" Benjamin F. Chadbourne OF
Maine submitted the report of the COM
mite, in which he said:
I'VE cannot pass lightly the suggestion
of federal incorporation of railroads and
that of government ownership so often
heard The assembling of the smaller
corporations into the immense combina-
lions of today brought a few moneyed
men and corporations into ownership and
control. those who had local interests, en-
terprises and benefits going out. In this
evolution a clear field was opened for
ver-capitaliZation. determinations. re-
bates and all the other wrongs that make
federal interference necessary.
Value Of State Commissions.
1.-The railroad commissions of the sew.
eral states have long since demonstrated
their value to the people as well as to the
railroads. 1t may well be asked whether
or not many of the things now complained
Of as wrongs would have happened IL the
state commissions had been clothed with
greater powers.
las long as the several states have the
power of granting railroad charters, cam
not that body have the granting of char
tiers under a well-regulated general law7
They could pass upon the question OF
public convenience as inteligently and an
conscientiously as the legislatures. They
are every day in contact with the trans
portation problem and could exercise the
better Judgment as to financing. Their in
vestigation as to locations Of roadbed and
stations would be more careful than
would be possible for the legislative body
to make.
1.-The matters spoken Of do not comprise
all in which state railroad commissioners
can be of service to the people and the
railroads as well. They are nearer the
people than any federal body can be.
and are in closer contact with the rail-
roads and those connected with their
management and operation.
whatever may be the powers given
the federal body in railroad regulation
there will always be q useful field for the
work of the state railroad commission.
They can work in harmony with the fed
eral body in many ways, be of great serv-
ice to them, and be the means of inspfr-
ing the people with the feeling that there
ara ir,flr irD o. NJ 10
and the railroads in the adjustment Of the
fair deal If, as has been said there is a
tendency toward great Capitalization OF
power-a surrender of the rights Of the
state to the national government-the
nearer the federal body gets to the people
the better, and in this instance the state
railroad commission is the best means Of
SO doing"
Methods of Accounting.
At the afternoon session of the associa-
ton yesterday w. o. Seymore of Con.
necticut presented the report of the com.
mittee on construction and operating ex.
penses Of electric railways. urging the APP
plication of the same system OF account
ing to both steam and electric roads. He
did not believe that such scheme was
possible now, and. therefore, separate
forms of accounting would have to be
used until uniform system could be de-
vised.
commissioner decker Oh view IoaA
urged that uniformity of accounts OF oil
lines, whether steam or electric, was e1-
tremely desirable. In New York. he SAID,
1t would be necessary for the commissions
to prescribe a system of accounts for cleo
trio railways IL some action were not
taken soon to include all lines. He dwelt
strongly On the desirabilty for uniformity
in action.
The report of the committee was adopt
ed.
Grade Crossing Dangers.
A. 7. Siler of Kentucky. in his report OF
the committee on grade crossings, pre-
scented statistics showing the immense
number OF fatalities at such crossings. He
declared there was q unan!mity of opinion
that such crossings should be abolished
and that it was conceded by railroad Off
Gals that the elimination of grade cross
ings was Il move toward economy. He
recommended that all matters pertaining
to such crossings be placed in the hands
of the state railroad commissions and
that they should have the power TO assess
the cost and direct the work of the grade
crossing elimination.
The subject was discussed at consider
able length. the roll OF states being called
in order 20 obtain opinions from every
part of the country. Nearly every speaker
urged uniformity of action and the sug.
gestion was made BY Commissioner III. A.
Fa!rchild OF Washington that a general
law be drafted by q special committee OF
the association to be submitted to tho
legislatures of the various states.