Evening star., 1909-06-11
Will Ponder Over Remedies for
Interstate Commerce Law.
HAS PLAN TO CONSIDER
Demurrage Rules Proposed as Cure
for Car Shortage.
OvERFIELD JUDGE IN ALASKA
Post for Pennsy's Former Foot Ball
Star-Senator-Ele Sumner
at White House.

Many suggestions reaching him as to
amendments to the act regulating COM
merce President Taft is filing for ref
erence.
This subject will be the foremost one
to be discussed in the Presidents regu-
lar message to Congress in December.
Realizing this some months ago. he be-
gan to prepare for thorough considera-
ton Of the matter.
Attorney General Wickersham and Sec
retary Nagel of the Department Of Com
merce and Labor were requested to de-
vote as much time as possible to a plan
he has had In mind for greatly strength
ening the powers Of the bureau Of cor
porations and having that bureau keep
in close touch with the Department of
Justice. The plan, il carried out. would
make of the interstate commerce commits
sion a quasi judicial body and give to
the bureau of corporations much Of the
authority now invested in the commits
sion.
Neither cabinet officer has had time to
devote to the subject. The President,
however, has received many suggestions
from commercial and trade organizations
they consider advisable, SO that the law
may be made more effective.
Mr.. WfckerSham and Mp. Nagel will
lay before the President at the first op-
portunity proposed changes. so that he
may have his summer vacation for con-
sideration Of the problem.
Big Car Shortage Predicted.
One thing already bothering the inter-
state commerce commission and the ad-
ministration Is the prospect of a grave
car shortage on the railroads of the
country when business resumes the &C
tivity that is so generally predicted One
of the most noted railroad men of the
country has made the prediction to the
commission that a year from next Octo-
Der, if not the coming October. the coun-
try will seriously suffer from lack of cars
to handle business brought about by re-
vival of prosperity.
There are no laws now on the books to
reach this situation. Many plans have
been suggested, however, by which leg
islation could be brought into play.
The President himself would like to
find a good way to reach the heart of 1t
by law. Suggestions are forthcoming
that a national demurrage law be passed.
This is regarded as almost impracticable
Students of the situation believe that
If demurrage rules could be adopted that
would be accepted unanimously by the
railroads and the shippers much relief
would be experienced when the pressure
tempting to do something along this line
Commissioner Lane and a committee of
state railroad commissioners have worked
out tentative demurrage rules that have
been gone over at various meetings for
months, railroad men and shippers TAX
ing part.
Final briefs from different interests will
be filed in July 1t is then likely that the
rules will be promulgated.
There is no law by which they can be
spirit by railroads, consignors and con-
signees the outlook is for some relief.
These rules reduce the free time allow
ance of cars to forty-eight hours. after
which demurrage charges begin. In some
parts of the country cars remain upon
side tracks for four. five and six days
without being released.
New England is known as the grave
gives four days before demurrage charges
are assessed. Two days are declared TO
be sufficient time anywhere.
Many railroad men and shippers claim
to have discovered solution of the car
delay proposition in the average demur-
rage plan. This gives credit to shippers
for prompt unloading, thereby releasing
the cars before the demurrage period
begins.
When the consignee finds it is to his
interest to handle the shipment at once
he does so, the consignor also being
prompt. At the end of the month the
credits and debts are averaged and the
balance reached.
on this proposition. which is more or less
new, although it is in operation through
out the state of Michigan, as well as in
Philadelphia, Albany, Buffalo and other
cities. The Illinois Manufacturers As
sociation has unanimously passed resolu-
tions advocating average demurrage in
that state.
New Judge in Alaska.
Peter D. Overfield, one-time noted foot
ball star Of the University of Pennsyl-
vania, for three years a practicing at
torney at Nome. Alaska, was today NOM
mated by President Taft as judge of the
third judicial district of Alaska. succeed
ing Judge Silas B. Reid. resigned under
compulsion.
Mr.. Overfield is a selection of the two
strong factions in the territory, one head
ed by Delegate Wickersham and the other
by National Committeeman Shackleford.
Mr.. Overtield is about thirty-five years
old and was formerly citizen of Penn
sylvana.
Paul Ritter. the new minister from
Switzerland. was received by Presi-
dent Taft at 2:3O o'clock this afternoon
there being the usual exchange of hap
py Fluctuations.
Senator Warner of Missouri saw
President Taft today to introduce E. NJ
Clendenning and II. G. Wilson of the
board of trade of Kansas City. No.
They wanted to sees the President to
make sure he stops at Kansas City
when he goes west.
The President repeated what is al
ready known as to his proposed trip.
He has not arranged an itinerary and
will not do SO pending the recovery OF
Mrs. Taft's health.
Senator-Elect Lorimer Calls.
Senator-elect Lorimer of Illinois called
on President Taft today to pay his re-
spects and remained some time. Mr..
Lorimer said that he is still undecided
whether he will take the oath as Senator
now or remain in the House Of Represen-
tatives until the tariff bill is passed
MANY schedules of the tariff are of
great importance to Illinoois. said Mr..
J.orimer. II have not determined whether
my vote would be worth more to the peo-
of my state in the House or the Senate
want to do what Is best.
There is every indication that the
pledge of the republican party as to tariff
revision will be carried out. With me the
hesitation is wholly to how best may
Lheelp to fulfill that pledge.