New-York tribune., 1909-11-19
ATTACK COMMISSION
Wants Too Much Pouer. State
Railroad Officials Say.

washington. Nov. B-Ths feeling Of re-
sentiment on the part OF some state rail-
road commissioners against what they term
the wish Of the Interstate Commences Com
mission 10 hog all the supervision cvsr
railroads reached climax a. the convsn-
tion Of the National Association Of Rail-
way Commissioners to-day. when the con-
vention was asked TO approve the Esch sil
Of the last Congress to empower the com
mission 10 investigates all accidents on rail-
roads engaged in Interstate commsrce.
The discussion finally resulted in Mr.
Clark Of the Tntsrstate Commercs Commits
sion. and Commissioner Burr. Of Florida
offering suggestion that ths bin be ap-
proved. " amended 40 as 20 specify thar .,
was in no way TO interfere With the rish,
Of the states. This course was pursued.
Scarcely had Secretary MossIey % IN. In
terststs Commerce. Commission finished ths
report Of a special COMMITTEES recommend
ing the approval Of the Esch bill. befors
Commissioner smith. Of south Dakota. was
obiecting that II would Interfere with the
right OF the states to investigate. Mr..
NoseIey said he was amazed 20 hear such
a statement.
II was not until Commissioners Earle. %
South Carolina. obtained the floor that the
situation became strained.
I'VE have heard you ask for uniform
classification. Uniform demurrage. Uniform
this and uniform that" said Mr.. Earle.
shaking his finger at Mr.. MoseIey- we ars
getting tired OF ~. Are you going 70 tsks
everything? III tell you right now. J, as
railroad commissioner OF South Carolina
am not going TO accept your uniform de-
murrage code"
II don't care IL you don't" retortsd Mr..
MoseIey.
I've have authority" continued Mr..
Earle. "You are trying to run the whole
thing"
mo, we are not" again interrupted Mr.
MOseIey. with vigOr. Chairman Decker
cautioned Mr.. Moseley against interruptins
well. he was pointing 20 me-" retorted
Mr.. MOseley. "and I am going 10 answer
when he addresses me-
Mr. Earle continued that II the federal
inspectors should come TO sons wreck IN
South Carolina. claiming precedence over
his inspectors. there would be nghr.
1T would not be SO bad he added. 81,
you had competent men. but you send out
inefficient political appointees that try 20
lord IL over us with the badge OF federal
Inspectors
Mr.: MOseley explained that az present
railroads are required TO report on wrecks.
and IL was desired 20 have these reports
more accurate and more IN detail. with
view OF preventing the railroads from
Lying about them" as had been asserted
they sometimes do.
Cost accounting must be applied TO rail-
road accounts il supervision OF rates BY
public officers Is 10 be intelligent and fair.
was the position taken to-day by Associate
Justice O'Brien OF the Supreme Court OF
Minnesota IN addressing the convention on
spportiOnrent a. between state and inter
state traffic OF a railway valuation made
for rate making or rate regulation purposes.
The committee on legislation recommend
ed. among other things. the enactment OF a
law requiring railroad security holders 70
exhaust all their rights in state courts be-
fore going into federal courts.