The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1907-06-10
ACCOUNTING SYSTEM
FOR NEW RATE LAW
Fundamental Forms Followed
by Railroad People Now in
Hands of Printer.
Special 10 The Tribune

Special 10 The Tribune
WASHINGTON, June 9-Practical
application of the accounting end of
the new railroad raie law Will begin
July ]. This is now assured by the
progress which has been made by
Henry c. Adams of Michigan, Stats
tlcian 10 the. commission Professor
Adams SET this date in tbe early win
ter, but was bothered so much bv
such distractions as the Hanks Harri-
man episode that he has had his
troubles to live up to the programme.
But now the fundamental forms to be
followed by the railroads in their ac-
counts are in the hands Of the printer
aud IT is expected that within week
they will be delivered to the account
ing officers of railroads throughout the
countries.
These first forms cover six general
subjects are the basis for the entire
system of federal supervision over rail
road accounting. But the fact that Pro
fessor Adams has finished this prclim-
mary work does not mean that he eau
take vacation. He must now buckle
down 10 details, and 10 the cIabora~
tion Of forms which are not funda-
mental, but which will ultimately be-
come essential. Incidentally, it is in
terestng 10 note that thus far the IN
terstate Commerce Commission has in.
tercsted itself only with the account
ing of steam roads. leaving the elcc-
trlc lines TO their own devices. But
that the time OF the electric roads is
coming seems pretty certain. This may
be surprise to many, and especially TO
the operators Of interurban lines. most
of which are within State boundaries.
But the tendency is, apparently, TO
bring within the scope of federal su-
pervisIon even the Interstate electric
lines, This is done upon the theory
that they participate in interstate com
merce, through carrying within the
State limits freight which has been
billed from some point in another State.
In such cases an electric road is looked
upon merely as one Of two or more car
riers engaged in the interstate traDspor-
tation Of n single shipment of freight
Whether any Of the intcrurban lines
Will be able 10 escape this comprehen
sive Interpretation OF the commission S
power 10 regulate commerce remains to
be seen. The probability seems TO be.
AT any rate, that the commission viii
show its hand within year
The Interstate Commerce Commission
Will be able TO get results from the new
y Situl pl accounting PHElN III lht Idll
The first monthly report, covering July,
is due early in September. The first
annual report. covering the year end
hrg June 80. 1905. viii he due Septem-
Der II following. The details regard
ing inspection Of railroad accounts have
not vet been worked out. In a rough
way these inspectors viii CORES pond
10 national examiners. 1t is not All ali
sure, however. that they will use the
instance, il may not be considered nee.
cssafy that they should drop down on
the railroad accountants unexpectedly.
as cXamycrs pounce upon the banks.
The aim Of the commission is to make
certain that accounts are being kept
in accordance with federal regulations
But under ordinary circumstances there
will he no need for tho federal railroad
examiners 10 actually see the cash and
count it, How large win bc the force
of railroad examiners is as vet undcter-
mined.