The Washington times., 1909-12-06
Considering Alterations I'M
Laws Concerning the
Railroads.
WICKERSHAM WORKS
TO SETTLE MATTER
Attorney General Said to Be
Shaken in Confidence in
Legislation.

Attorney General WiCkersham is said
20 be shaken in his confidence in certain
features Of the railroad legislation
which he has been drafting on behalf
OF the Administration
Opposition has been made so vigorous.
as against certain features Of it, that
uncertainty is entertained in Interested
quarters, as to what the outcome will
be.
The Attorney Generals draft Of a
measure for the strengthening OF the
interstate commerce law was supposed
70 have been practically completed in
its final form, and satisfactory to the
Administration authorities. But now
comes the explanation that at three
points uncertainty has crept into the
Administration mind. ard that there
may yet be changes on important mat
ters
One thing which the advocates OF
regulation especially wanted was a
grant OF complete authority to the
shipper to dictate the route over which
his freight should be moved. The rail-
roads have vigorously held that il they
got the freight there. that was all that
could be expected Of them; it was no
business OF the shipper over what
route il moved. The railroads have been
insistent on protecting their own right
TO fix the route. because of the desire
70 distribute business among connecting
roads on a basis of fairness. It is a
process Of reciprocity among the roads:
each wants a share from its connecting
lines, and feels that it must give a
share in return.
Easily Traced.
The shippers argument is that ne
ought TO know the route by which his
freight is moving. so that in case Of
delays or losses he may know where
TO send tracers to find IT, The railroads
have been persistent in standing against
the shippers right 90 dictate the route
mand that the interstate commission
in favor Of this right. the Attorney
General has been moved somewhat by
the arguments on the other side
Likewise, there has been strong de-
mand that the Interstate commission
be given fun power to make classihca-
tons OF freight and 10 enforce them.
This is considered very important, as
the railroads are able 10 change rates
by the simple process Of changing
classification, and il is well known thar
most Of the advances in rates in re-
cent years have been accomplished by
this indirect procedure Of advancing
clsssihcations. It was supposed the At
torney General would include this power
In mis- bill; but Il Is now stated that
this is another Of the points on which
he has developed some misgivings.
Finally, the Interstate commerce au-
thorities wanted the power TO determine
joint routes and rates. Under the law
az II stands, the commission has the
power to fix a through route and name
rates for IL, in case there is no salts
factory existing through route. In eX-
perience, IL always develops that there
is already some through route which the
railroads have made. and they demon
Etrate II is satisfactory. thus taking
away the right Of the commission to
exercise its supposed authority In or
der 10 end all uncertainty, 10 was de-
sired 70 provide that the commission
should have entire and general author
fly in such matters, and here, again,
the Attorney General is reported 70 have
become uncertain whether so much
power should be delegated at this lime.
May Be Delayed
Because OF these things. the Attorney
Generals bill may not be Immediately
completed and introduced. In any case,
its provisions will not satisfy the more
insistent advocates Of larger regulative
authority. The IN erstate commission is
expected to maxi some mild observa-
lions in its annual report. practically no
recommendation that will not be cover
cd by the Attorney Generals bill. Some
members OF the commission feel that
they ought TO 20 much further. even
favoring the proposal of Governor Cum
Minis, which favOrs a general law di-
rectinE the commission 90 make a COM
plete schedule of all rates for the en-
tire country. This is altogether too adj
vanced for the minority Of the cO,lmis-
sion or for the Interstate Commerce
Committees Of the houses. but Senator
Cummins Is going 20 Introduce the
measure, nevertheless. and insist on get
ting the country to thinking about ana
understanding the reasons I'm its favor.
The impression gains ground daily
there will be little accomplishment at
this session along any 81 these lines.
II is pointed out that before the Ad-
ministrat0n measures are formulated
and laid before Congress, the DaTiia-
rnentary powers are likely To have laid
out their program for the session, oc-
ctfpIcd the ways with other measures,
and forestaIled serious chance ~ get
ting the Administration bills forced 10
lrnff lon