The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-11-25
RAILROAD
BOARDS POWERS,
EXPERT ADVISES
State Should Add to Membership
and Scope, W. M. Atkin-
son Says.
From a stat, Correspondent,

TRENTON, Nov. 25.-William Mayo
Atkinson, lawyer, advocate and rail-
o expert for the Peoples Lobby,
was In town today, inquiring about the
prospects for railroad legislation to be
enacted at the incoming Legislature,
Mr.. Atkinson Is still insistent that the
law should be amended so as to give
the commission wider scope, and is still
of the opinion that the commission
should have rate regulation and other
powers so as to enable 1t to serve the
best interests of the people.
He is also of the opinion that there
should be two bills prepared and passed
so as to control the railroad and public
utility corporations of the State. He
insists that as soon as the railroads
and utility corporations are taken out
of politics, both the corporations and
the people Will be better off.
Mr.. Atkinson favors an investigation
to be made by the Legislature. the
committee appointed to get down to
work early and report to the Legis-
lature. In this connection he says the
Legislature should take a recess after
the usual business has been cared for.
and then meet in extra session and
nac a law that will be fair to both
the people and the railroads.
Asked about the condition and the
future progress of the Peoples Lobby,
Mr.. Atkinson said thai he had about
made up his mind to attend to the
practise of law and only appear in
Trenton hereafter as the paid attorney
of any person who desired his services.
He wal of the opinion that If the
Lobby is to continue that 1t will be
necessary to have a reorganization.
In discussing the railroad situation,
Mr.. Atkinson said:
"In my judgment, the State Railroad
Commission should have its machinery
and it's process simplifed and made
more definite, and should essentially be
an administrative body. There should
be more than three commissioners. 1t
should have a greater appropriation.
Care should be given that 1t a super
wise the common carriers of the State
along lines hat will insure continued
adequate facilities and anticipate the
great Industrial boom that is sure To
come now.
80 far as rates are concerned, l am
of the opinion hat this situation is in
no wise acute. The Communication ticket
furnishes cheap transportation for
those who buy transportation regularly
and wholesale. Most of the freight
rates, probably fully so per cent, If
not more. of the interstate rates, arc
subject only to the Interstate Com
merce Commission at Washington. The
commission, however, should have the
power to carry appeals at the expense
of the State, where any community Is
affected. and where there Is a class of
citizens over all the State who may be
similarly situated on any question of
principle.
THE commission should have power
to make Investigations as to the ques-
ton of rates, classifcations of freight
and to prevent the raising of prices OF
communication tickets, school tickets and
other special forms Of transportation
now In force. They should handle the
subject and be given powers to handle
the subject In a practical and business
like manner and the Legislature should
not adjourn, and, If necessary, should
take q recess, and then again come
back, 80 that w~ell-considered legisla-
ton, free from passion, conceived along
scientific lines, and expressing the best
business sentiment of the State, a be
enacted and the railroads taken out of
politics."