The Washington herald., 1908-07-14

That Senator Jacob II. GaIlinger. chair
man OF the Senate District Committee.
is not thoroughly acquainted with the
full intent" Of the commissions action
in creating az advisory board 10 recon-
mend certain action in reference TO the
Washington street railways. and tho
''yoluminous amount OF business the In
terstate Commerce Commission has to
perform" is the opinion OF Martin A.
Knapp, chairman Of the Interstate Com
merce Commission. when asked what he
thought OF Senator Gallinger's criticism
OF the commissions action in appointing
a subcommisslon to investigate complaints
against the street railways Of Washing
ton.
An interview with Senator GaHinger was
published yesterday in local afternoon
newspaper. in which the Senator said
that the action OF the Interstate Com
merce Commission IN appointing a sub
commission 10 practically control the op-
Grafton Of the street railways IN the Dis
trict virtually nuuihed the intent Of the
action Of Congress.
Chairman Explains Situation.
4 Mr. Knapp. when seen by a reporter for
The Washington Herald last night. said
/ that the Interstate Commerce Commis-
sion is overloaded with work, and that OF
necessity. as IS the case in every depart
ment. much work is given to subordinates
20 perform.
Chairman Knapp said:
In the first place think Senator Gal
Hnger is not thoroughly acquainted with
the fuu intent OF the commission IN ap-
pointing three OF WashingtUn's most
prominent citizens as members Of the
, sUbcOmmissiOn.
He cannot expect the Interstate Com
merce Commission, with its volume OF
work. 10 personally investigate every COM
plant made against the electric railways.
This work was unwillingly put upon US.
but We are going to do our best IN dls-
charging the duty.
What would have been the difference
liz we had appointed three or four men
. from the classified rolls OF the department.
70 DO the work or employed outside men
10 do it, Commissioner West and Gen.
Wilson are on the government pay rolls,
and this is simply an added duty. II aec-
Z essary. Mr.. Smith can be given a small
r salary.
Washington Men NEEDED.
There is not a member Of the Inter
I state Commerce Commission who is ex-
( pert enough to say what kind Of tenders
shall be used, or what extension OF lines
are necessary or what complaints are Jus
tidahle- An outside man would not know
the situation and would be Of little use.
THE gentlemen appointed on the new
commission are men Of high standing in
, Washington, well known for their integ-
r rity. and I and the. other members OF the
I commission feel that they will discharges
their duties in an impartial way, They
will be just TO the street car companies
and just TO the citizens
Mr.. Eddy, Just appointed as executive
. head Of ten electric commission, IS \
man who thoroughly understands electri-
cal work. and particularly electric rail-
way work. having been a manager and
dlled various other offices with roads
, here and elsewhere. In addition TO that,
I he is we'll acquainted with conditions,
q Merely Advisory Board.
The Interstate Commerce Commission
has in no way delegated any Of its pow
ers 90 the electric railway commission.
They are but an advisory commission.
The law which states that the govern
ment cannot accept any service for which
the person or persons rendering II are
; not compensated has no bearing on the
u present case. As I have said. two OF the
b gentlemen on the new commission are
r ( already on the rolls OF the government,
and TO the third AIr. Smith, we can
o easily give a small salary TO get over
> the technicalty
p The electric railway commission will
u continue To act as long as it's members
, are willing 20 serve, despite any criticisms
| that may arise