The Washington herald., 1908-05-01

The House Of Representatives placed it.
self on record yesterday in favor of hav-
ing an investigation made OF the books Of
all interstate railroad companies in the
county. to determine whether they were
conducting their business in accordance
with Federal law.
This action was victory for President
Roosevelt, who had called Representa-
tives to the White House in the morning
and urged them to work for a liberal ap-
preparation for the employment of inspec-
tors TO conduct the examination of books.
The House voted to appropriate $35O.0oo
for the purpose, thus overturning the
action OF the Committee on Appropria-
tons. which had insisted that $4,000 was
sufficient TO begin the work.
Section 20 OF the Hepburn railway rate
bin requires. among other things, that
all interstate railroads shall adopt a uni
form system Of bookkeeping. and that
their books shall be open TO inspection.
The Interstate Commerce Commission
wanted a small army Of inspectors 10
make the examinations, in order that no
stone would be left unturned in the effort
to determine whether railroads were
granting rebates or otherwise violating
the law.
The commission asked for an appropria-
ton OF $3.50 900, but to such large al
lotment the Appropriations Committee
objected, eontending that only enough in
speotors would be required TO make ex-
aminations where there was reason to
suspect that railroads were not acting in
conformity with the statute.
- Townsend Proposes Increase.
The appropriation of $4,000 for the en-
loyment Of inspectors was incorporated
the sundry civil appropriation bill. and
Fhen the bill was under consideration in
&C House yesterday Representative
Townsend. of Michigan. offered an
amendment 20 increase the amount 20
S55o,00o. Mr.. Townsend was one of the
Congressman called to the White House
s yesterday morning. Chairman Tawney
o. the Appropriations Committee, opposed
the amendment vigorously. Mr.. Under
wood, OF Alabama, COnUended that IL was
were still being paid 10 favored shippers,
even If II cost million dollars year.
Chairman Tawney held that the appro-
pTiauons committee, in recommending an
appropriation Of $4,000, instead of the
$4,000 asked by the Interstate Commerce
Commission. felt that It was the better
plan TO follow the usual custom OF begin
ming with a small force of inspectors and
examiners and TO increase il as the neces-
sity appeared All experience demon
stTated, be contended, that If a large force
were employed at the start and afterward
found to be unnecessary, that force would
never be reduced This particular class
OF employees was growing by leaps and
bounds, he said. having increased in
eleven years from loo to more than 5000.
Thinks Roads Are Behaving.
The railroads he went On. were faith
fully complying with the law and the re-
ASnent OF the commission. Reports
being made of railroad operations
form prepared by Prof Adams, the
hissiOns statistician, and an exami-
bn Of them did not require an army
Inspectors and examiners, The ex-
nation that could be made in the
ces Of the commission, Prof. Adams
b the Appropriations Committee, would
veal infractions or violations OF the law.
ld when these were discovered, special
Examinations Of the books of the Offend
g corporation could be made.
Representative SheTley, OF Kentucky,
opposed the Townsend amendment. He
aid that it was based on the theory that
every corporation was dishonest; that It
was necessary TO enforce the penal stat
ute 10 send special guardian or watch
man 10 look after every person who may
become victim OF its operation. That
appropriation. he asserted, was utterly
abhorrent 10 every sentiment Of American
manhood. For one. ne was not willing 10
bring such an indictment against the
whole people
Would Cost Great sum.
Mr. sherley who had had some ac-
quaintance with the juggling Of books by
railroad corporations, conceded that re-
form in that matter was the most impor-
tant thing to be secured by the law. But
the companies are adopting the uniform,
system prescribed by the commission. he
said, and reporting under It. II it were
the intention TO institute an audit of the
railroad corporations, S35O,O0O wouldn't be
a drop in the bucket; it would compel an
expenditure beyond the Imagination of
man.
The Townsend amendment, increasing
the amount for inspectors from $50. 900 to
$4,000 was adopted. 81 to 73. There was
much applause when the vote was an
nounced,