Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-19
Final Session of Association OF
Railway Commissioners.
REELECTION OF OFFICERS
Next Meeting Of the Organization to
Be Held in Washington.
C0LL0QUY OVER THE EsCH BILL
South Carolina Members Reference
to Interstate Commerce Commits
sion Yesterday Afternoon.

Washington was selected as the city
in which to hold their next annual con-
venton. and the president and other
officers of the association were reelected
by reclamation AT the final session of
the National Association OF Railway Com
missiOners. held this morning in the
rooms of the interstate commerce COM
mission. The officers were reelected by
reclamation only after rather spirited
discussion between the supporters of
President Decker of New York and First
Vice President Burr of Florida as to
whether or not it had been the custom
of the association to elect the first vice
president to the presidency
When nominations of officers were de-
clared i'm order Mr.. Burrs name was
presented, and for moment it looked
as II the nominations would be closed.
1t was then that the name of Presi-
dent Decker was offered for reelection.
ana for few minutes the buzz of
whispered conversations that passed
around the room indicated that there was
an exciting contest I'm the making Just
as every one was beginning to straighten
up and take notice Mr.. Burr arose and
withdrew In favor of President Decker.
The election then went off without op-
position.
Mpple or Amusement.
There was considerable amusement
caused during the selection of a city in
which to hold the next meeting. j. G.
Sullivan of Ohio intmated that he wished
to suggest Columbus, but while he was
apparently thinking out the various
arguments in favor of the Ohio town as
q convention city he failed to watch the
proceedings, and the question Of Wash |
lngton was put and carried unanimously |
Wait minute, j was going to suggest |
Columbus" cried Mr.. Sullivan, and every
body laughed.
j. e. Sturgis. general auditor of the
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railway
system. spoke on Railway Depreciation /
Accounts He questioned the right of the |
interstate commerce commission under its |
power to prescribe uniform system of '
accounts, to order an arbitrary charge |
for depreciation of railway property. Tine |
appreciation of his address by members |
OF the convention was shown by rising |
vote of thanks.
Commissioner Earle's Charges.
Through his denunciation of the Esch |
bill, which provides that the Interstate |
commerce commission shall have the |
power to investigate all accidents on rail-
roads engaged in interstate commerce, |
and his emphatic declaration that the in
terstate commerce commissioners were at
tempting 10 monopolize the control OF
railroad traffic, Commissioner Earle of
south Carolina injected some ginger yes
terday afternoon into the usually placid
Of the railway commissioners.
Inc FUN started when the convention was
asked to approve the Esch bill. which
was passed by the House at the last ses-
sion Of Congress.
After Secretary Moseley of the inter-
state commerce commission had finished
reading the report OF a special committee
recommending the approval of the bill,
Commissioner Smith of South Dakota OBJ
Jected on the ground that ii would inter-
fere with the rights Of the states to in
vestigate.
Heated Colloquy Ensues.
Mr.. MOseley replied that he was amazed
at such statement. whereupon Mr.. Earle
Of South Carolina arose. and shaking his
finger at Mr. Moseley. said:
I'VE have heard you ask for uniform
uniform demurrage, uni
form this and uniform that We are get
ting tired of it. Are you going to take
I'll tell you right now, |, as
a railroad commissioner of South Caro-
lima. am not going TO adopt your Uniform
demurrage CODE"
Il don't care II you DON'T" replied Mr..
Moseley.
I'VE have authority" continued Mr..
Earle. You are trying to ruin the whole
thing
NO, We are not" retorted Mr. Nose
ley. /
Mr.. Mosley Cautioned.
Mr.. Moseley was cautioned by Chairman
Decker against interrupting.
We'll. he was pointing to me- and |
am going to answer when he addresses
me-" replied Mr.. Moseley
Mr.. Earle said that il the federal in
spectors should come to some wreck i'm
South Carolina. claiming precedence ON
his inspectors. there would be a fight
1t wouldn't be so bad he added, eff
you had competent men, but you send out
inencient political appointees that try
to lord 1T over us with the badge OF
federal inspectors