New-York tribune., 1909-04-16
PRESIDENT HAS NEW
PLAN FOR RAILROADS
FOR CLOSER RELATIONS
WITH GOVERNUENT.
Considering Creation of Body
Charged zcith Part Of Commerce
Commission g Duties.

washington ApriI 15-The feasibility Of es-
tabIishing some form Of quasi-OfHcial Organiza-
ton which shall act as medium between the
railroads of the country and the federal gov
ernment is being seriously considered by the
Attorney General, the Secretaries of the In
terror and Commerce and Labor and the Sohci-
tor General to whom the President has con-
fded the responsibility of working out his plans
with regard to federal control Of the railroads
1t is characteristic OF President Taft that be-
fore instituting any radical changes OF admin
istra ton under existing law asking Congress
to modify its enactments, he should avail him
self of the best legal talent at his command TO
prepare a thorough analysis of existing condi-
tions and recommend such changes as care
deemed advisable.
one of the propositions which the President
has submitted TO this executive committee con-
Germs the existence Of such quasi-Oficial bodies
abroad and their usefulness in promoting CO.
operation between the government and public
service corporations In Great Britain. for in
stance. boards of trade prepare certain data
regarding the service rendered by such corpora
tions and submit recommendations concerning
the reasonableness of rates. etc The President
has called the attention Of his advisers to the
fact that single body charged simultaneously
with qUasi-judicial and administrative func-
tions is now the case with the Interstate
Commerce Commission. is constantly hampered
in it's efforts to ascertain the facts by the
tagonism which is inevitably engendered as
result of its being compelled 10 conduct prose-
cutions. Members of the commission. when
they approach railroads. for instance. with
view to obtaining information. cannot escape
the atmosphere which surrounds a prosecuting
attorney avoid arousing the opposition
which is the natural result of the fact that III
timateIy they may be compelled to sit in judg-
ment on the acts of the very men from whom
they ask information
Under these circumstances il has occurred TO
the President that possibly some semi-oficiaI
body. such as a national chamber Of commerce
or similar organization, might be able to relieve
the commission of part of its duties as an in
vestigatirg and prosecuting body.
Another proposition which is being considered
the administrative and judicial functions of the
commission. This the President regards a.
sentiaL
Still another plan involves the transfer OF the
administrative and investigating functions OF
the commission 10 another body. probably the
bureau OF corporations OF the. Departmental
Commerce and Labor. thus leaving the commits
sion with only judicial functions
The President has given some serious consider
alton to the evils arising from the present sys-
tenn and has indicated the trend of MS views on
the subject but he desires that the officials
named shall study the subject carefully in or
der that when ne comes to write his annual
message he may be in possession of all the facts
and in a position 20 make practical recOmmen-
dations if legislation Is needed. as seems prob
q BILE.