The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1909-11-20
WOULD LIMIT OPERATIONS
WlCKERSHAM URGES MODIFlCA-
TON OF INTERSTATE CON-
MERGE ACT IN SPEECH.

KANSAS CITY, MO-, NOV. ~
Modification of the interstate COM
merce act to obtain reasonableness of
rates to all, and fairness Of practices
| in the operation of interstate rail-
ways was suggested by Attorney Gen
eral George w. iWckersham in an adj
| dress tonight at the annual banquet
| of the Commercial club, given in
! commemoration of the signing of the
| John Jay commercial treaty.
Mr. iWckersham responded to the
| toast, "The Interstate Commerce
| Commission
| Mr.. Wickersham advocated a ma
tional incorporation law and said
that, should such a law demonstrate
it's value, it might be wise ultimately
| to prohibit state corporations from
engaging in interstate commerce.
| For the purpose" said Mr.. Wick
ersham, "of preventing the conflict of
decisions and delays and uncertain
| ties in the enforcement Of the inter-
| state law which now exists, it is pro-
posed to create a special tribunal to
| be known as the commerce court, in
| which shall be exclusively vested all
| the jurisdiction now possessed by the
| circuit and district courts and the
| circuit courts of appeal in the United
! States with respect to the enforce
ment Of review of orders and DEGREES
of the interstate commerce commits
sion.
Leave 1t to Justice Department..
ITO remove the commission from
| the position of prosecutor or litigant,
| it is proposed that all proceedings to
enforce or defend orders of the inter-
state commerce commission be con-
Quoted by the department of justice.
Further suggestions of the presi-
| dent are that the interstate commerce
act be amsnded as follows:
"By providing that the commission
| be specifically empowered to review
classifications, both as to item and
| grouping.
| "By providing that, whenever a new
| rate or classification is filed, the COM
| mission may, by order, postpone the
| date when it is to take effect, provid-
| ing that within 80 days after the date
! Of such order (A) a complaint be
| filed against such rate or classical
ton, or OBJ the commission itself
shall institute an inquiry into the
reasona bleness of the rate or CLASH
| fication.
| by providing that the commission
! may suspend, modify or annul any
changes in regulations that impose
undue burdens on shippers.
| 'By providing that the commission
| may proceed either on it's own motion
or upon complaint filed with it.
Force Making of Through Routes.
| "By specifically empowering the
! commission on the application of one
carrier or of an individual or, at the
F! instance of the commission itself, to
| compel connecting carriers to unite
| in forming a through route and in
fixing the rate and the apportionment
thereof among the carriers.
"By providing that it shall be law
full for carriers to unite in fixing
rate. providing the same be filed and
published, the question of the reason
| ableness of such rate to be subject
to the other provisions of the act in
| ike manner as any other filed and
published rate; the agreement, how
ever, not to amount to a contract to
maintain the rate for any given time
| withdraw from or alter such rate.
"By specifically empowering the
commission to prescribe regulations
under which shippers shall have the
privilege of designating the route over
which shipments shall be carried.
"By providing that no railroad COM
pany shall acquire stock in any COM
peting railroad company; and, pos
sibly. that no railroad company en-
gagged in interstate commerce shall
hold stock in a competing railroad.
"By providing thatsno railroad COM
pany engaged in interstate commerce
shall issue any additional stock or
bonds except with the approval of
the commission and for a price not
less than par for stock, and not less
than the reasonable market value of
/ the bonds.
Notifications Would Help.
These notifications in the act
would, it is believed, make it an ef-