The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-01-11
Commission Sees Little Sig
nihcanCe in Railroad
Earnings Slump.
VIGOROUS DOCUMENT
IS ANNUAL REPORT
Several Former Recommendations
Reiterated and Some New
Ones Advanced.
Bv 7. c. WELLIVER.

AS has been foreshadowed In The
Times heretofore, the annual report of
the Interstate Commerce Comm ,ssiOn
to Congress, which was made public
today. is a vigorous document, reiter-
atIng some TONER demands for
strengthening the law and advancing
some new ones.
The commission discusses the reduc-
tlon Of railroad earnings during the Pc
riod Of depression beginning in Octo-
Der, 1907, showing that in fact this re-
duction was II V2stly less volume or
significance than the public has com
monty supposed. and that while the
gross earnings OF all the railroads for
1903 were SlC4 OoJ 060 less than for 1901
they were stiu $500 900 I'm excess Of
those Of 1906 and S3a2,OO0OOO larger than
those for 1903.
The commission concludes that I'm this
showing there IS small warrant for the
demand that rates be generally in
creased.
Hartman Case
The Supreme Court decision I'M the
Hartman case, in Whicl. Hartman de
clined 20 testify about Its sales TO the
Union Pacific Of Alton and Illinois
Central securities, is discussed at some
length, with the conclusion that ''if
there Is TO be any full investigation By
the commission Of these financial deal
iugss some action must be taken by
Congress"
The disposition ~ courts TO interfere
with the making and cnforcemeh5 %
rates. both by the carriers and by the
commission is discussed. and, while
there is carefully eliminated from the
consideration anything that might be
regarded as IN tho nature of criticism
Of the courts get TIE commission
makes clear that this attitude OF the
courts has the Inevitable effect OF com
plicating the business Of rate reEula-
ton
Il is recommended once more that the
commission be given power in its dis
CTetion 70 suspend the effect OF rate
OF schedule or rates, pending inyestiga-
Points at Issue.
The fact is pointed out that the Hep
burn acts various provisions are now
approaching near 10 final adjudication
In the courts. Numerous cases have
been Instituted, involving many OF the
most important powers presumed 10 be
conferred by the act, and these Will
soon be decided by the Supreme Court.
That there has been a great decrease
IN the number and fatal results Of aC-
Cldeuts during the year is regarded
matter of cOugratulatiOu.
The commission strongly recommends
anew that 10 be given authority to make
a physical valuation O. the railroads.
and i'm this connection that legislation
pass, giving general power Of control
over issue of securities by interstate
railroads
The safety appliance law has been
thoroughly established as a result Of
court decision affirming it. and the COM
mission is well pleased with its opera
ton. on tho other hand, the hours OF
service law has been carried into court
by various carriers. and cases are now
pending ir which its enforcement Is
sought 90 be uulliGed.
Bills of Ladirg-
A uniform bill Of ladiug has been
agreed upon by the railroads and ship
pers during the year. whose operations
have developed some defects. but the
commission believes q thorough trial
should be made by way OF testing It,
The uniform system II accounting has
been promulgated for railroads. and has
peeh producing satisfactory results. The
commission TciteTates it's opinion that
The farming out by carriers Of any part
OF their functions to shippers. such as
the privilege OF owning lines Of privata
cars. private industrial terminals. and
the like tends TO discrimination iu
charges. ana should be stopped.